Maggie Hemlock's Blog, page 2
July 27, 2021
Hemlock Wolf Pack Saga Books
Omega Wrynn Heart dreams of the day he’ll meet his true-mate, but everyone keeps telling him no Alpha wants to marry a smart-mouthed omega with little respect for tradition or authority. That’s okay, he doesn’t want to marry an Alpha looking for nothing more than a houseboy, anyway. What sort of mundane existence would that be? Certainly not one he wants to experience.
Wrynn’s outspoken nature causes him to cycle through a lot of jobs and there aren’t many left willing to hire an unmated omega. His last chance is the position of Omega Studies professor at the prestigious Hemlock Academy. It’s below his level of expertise, but his Alpha brother and guardian, Zack, called in every last favor to secure it for Wrynn and threatens to marry him off, true-mate or not, if he doesn’t make it work.
When his new boss turns out to be everything Wrynn’s ever dreamed of and more he’s sure there’s a catch to snagging the most eligible Alpha in the states. He’s not sure he’ll get to find out if Darian Hemlock can’t put up with his sass and outspoken nature.
Darian Hemlock isn’t looking for his true-mate. He’s not against the idea. The Patriarch of Hemlock Wolf Pack and the Dean of Hemlock Academy has bigger problems to worry about. With the turn over rate of the Omega Studies professor ever rising and a new string of omega disappearances sweeping through his pack’s territory he’s taken off guard when Wrynn Heart walks into his life and for a brief moment the world stops.
His new Omega Studies Professor is unlike any other omega he’s ever met and he’s his. Everything about Wrynn makes him irresistible from his slim physique to his smart-mouthed antics. In fact, when it comes to Wrynn he can only think about one thing: the night they conceive their first pup.
Alpha and omega collided in a clash of passion, but the world doesn’t stop just because they’ve had a true-mating response.
Threats from the outside continue to pour into their lives in the form of an unsolved string of omega kidnappings. Will Darian and his pack stop the threat to their very home before it’s too late?
Omega Ross Hemlock has waited a long time to meet his true-mate. Blessed with the unique gift of omega sight he knows how, but just not when his sexy true-mate Alpha will walk into his life. When his brother, Darian, the Patriarch of the Hemlock Pack, calls upon his gift to solve a mystery involving the disappearance of omegas from nearby territories he stumbles into the fated love of his life. There’s only one problem Monta Gallagher isn’t the Alpha his family had in mind for him.
Alpha Monta Gallagher is from the wrong side of the tracks and he knows it. Sure, the Hemlock Patriarch helped him out of a few rough patches in the past, but that doesn’t mean he wants to mate into his family. As soon as he lays eyes on Ross he knows he’ll never be good enough for him. Not because of the money or the acclaimed Hemlock name, but because he’ll never be able to give the sexy omega the life he deserves. He’ll have to find a way past everything standing between him and his true-mate.
Both Ross and Monta are helpless to the throes of fate and passion, but can they stop arguing long enough to build a family and aid in keeping their territory safe from the threats looming in every dark corner?
Omega Logan Fox has sworn off dating. After a long line of cocky Alphas who couldn’t live up to their promises his lonely heart’s had enough. Now, he’s married to his job as Alchemy Professor of Hemlock Academy. He’s struggling with the campus wide omega curfew when a Hemlock wolf asks for a favor. He reluctantly agrees never imagining it would lead to finding his true-mate.
But he’s not ready for the life changing event. Logan’s weary of falling in love again even if finding his true-mate means forever. Amidst the constant threat of danger from outside forces, he has to find away to put the past behind him and build a new life with the sexy and sweet Alpha he can’t stop thinking about.
Alpha Jessie Hemlock is glad to do his part in keeping the Hemlock Wolf Pack safe. He packs up his life and travels to Hemlock Academy as danger looms ever closer to the shifter university. Skilled in tracking and experienced in taking on the worst the world has to offer he’s prepared for everything.
Well, everything except finding his true-mate scarred by past relationships. Witnessing the aftermath of ill-fated romances and their effects on his omega brings out the softer side of this protector. He’ll do whatever it takes to prove to Logan that he’s in it forever no matter what the future brings.
Balancing romance, family, and the fate of the pack isn’t an easy job. Logan and Jessie will have to rely on each other and their bond to survive. Is love enough to carry the pack through the most dangerous challenge the Omega Liberation Front has ever faced?
Healers Oath:
Just when the Hemlocks thought Jeb was through causing trouble, they discover their work isn’t over yet.
When omega Lee Knight wakes up in a strange bed he doesn’t remember crawling into, his life takes a turn for the bizarre. It’s not only the strange house and faces he doesn’t recall. It’s everything he experienced before waking up. His whole life is gone. Unsure of even his own name he must trust the man who calls to his soul to guide him through the perils of his past to reclaim his memories and the lost part of his soul.
Alpha Bane Hemlock is best known for his medical practice and loyalty to his pack, but when new information and old memories test the bounds of kinship, he’ll have to decide what’s most important to him. Hours after meeting his true-mate he’s faced with the most challenging medical dilemma of his career. The true-mate he spent centuries waiting for doesn’t recall their first meeting. Their connection is undeniable, but Lee’s amnesia leaves Bane knowing more about his mate’s troubles than even Lee does.
When medicine and science fail to provide answers from Lee’s strange amnesia, he and Bane must journey to the Other World to discover a remedy. When the past and present collide, what does the future hold for these true-mates?
Hemlock Academy is just a temporary home for omega, Blake Knight. He enjoys his classes and adores the little boy who nearly cost him his life. Blake wouldn’t trade Duke for the world but living as a single omega parent isn’t easy. Between early mornings and late nights Blake’s just about given up on a love life. Unless his true-mate waltzes into his Daddy and Me Classes he’s going to be single forever. Still, when he looks into Duke’s eyes, it’s more than worth it.
His peaceful, if lonely, life is turned upside down when a crush turns sinister. Even after the threat is eliminated Blake feels on edge. Something deep inside of him knows he hasn’t seen the last of the danger. He flees to the home of his birth to find safety, but danger has a way of following the Knight Brothers around.
Alpha and rock star, Jonah Darnell, lives in the limelight. His band, The Grim Howlers, is known and loved worldwide, but his patience with Moonscale Records is wearing thin. He’s ready to settle down and raise a family. The only problem is he’s traveled the world over and hasn’t met his true-mate.
Since life in the fast lane didn’t bring his dreams to life Jonah thinks it’s time for a slowdown, but where does a rock star put down roots? Anywhere, his omega calls home. Well, if he could only find him.
A chance meeting brings Blake and Jonah together as true-mates, but things don’t go as smoothly as either of them imagined. With drama, betrayal, and danger around every corner will their love be enough to keep their family safe?
Omega, Xenos, spent his life serving both the Nightshade Bears and the spirits who pass by as the soul living shaman. He dedicated himself to the betterment of shifter kind, but something was always missing. Unlike most post people who search the world over for their missing piece, Xenos knew exactly what was missing. Except the spirits wouldn’t let him have the true-mate he was forced to watch from afar. With the bears picking up arms and the threat of a pack war looming Xenos needs his true-mate more than ever. He wants the whole package: True-mate, a cozy house, and of course a baby.
After years of helping others find true love and reuniting lost mates, Xenos is ready for a family of his own. Shortly after his father’s death, the spirits announce it’s time for him to meet his true-mate. Xenos has been counting down the days, but for every day there’s a new problem. With half the Nightshade Bears toting around guns and the group’s founder on extended leave his work has doubled.
Alpha, Barry, better known as Nurse Barry to his contemporaries, doesn’t believe in happy-ever-afters. At least, not for himself. He carved out his niche at Hemlock Academy. A fully trained doctor who can run the academy’s clinic and fight off would-be dragon kidnappers he considered himself a lucky man. Barry put his past behind him and started fresh, but when a war threatens his pack, old secrets crawl out of the dark.
When the Nightshade Bear’s doctor and Barry’s old mentor passes away, he leaves the comforts of Hemlock Academy for the more rural Nightshade Bear Territory. Drone deliveries allow him the creature comforts he’s accustomed to, but the lack of all-night convenience stores is the least of his problems. The previous doctor, Old Man Sigmore, left behind a handful of patients and a son with big dreams who are all counting on him.
The world doesn’t stop spinning just because true-mates meet. Xenos and Barry must figure out how to overcome the obstacles both between them and in front of them. Anything less than a united front may cost the lives of innocents. With their family hanging in the balance will their love be enough to keep the mates together?
Omega, Cody Denton’s, life has been ruled by the iron fist of a pack Alpha who doesn’t always have the Raven Hallow Wolf Pack’s best interests at heart. He and a small group of other omegas have found ways to fight back, both small and large, but it never seems to be enough. His life is a grueling mess of being pushed around by pack policies and cave-Alphas. That is until Micah Gilmore walks into his life and changes his destiny.
Alpha, Micah Gilmore, loves the finer things in life. A good time, a warm body to keep him company on a long night and basking in the adoration of his fans. When he meets his true-mate his illusions of the world being a fair and kind place are shattered and Micah must decide whether to protect his own or aid in a plot to change the destiny of a whole pack.
With war and revolution hanging in the balance will Micah and Cody’s love be enough to see them through the hard times ahead?
The Crow King’s Heir:
Kodiak has settled into a life of solitude. He’s happy to help when the sleuth needs him, but he’s learned to enjoy his own company. There’s less drama that way. Less dirty looks too. Everything changes when the Nightshade Bear Shaman sends him east under the guise of a mission to bring his grandmother back a safe distance from enemy territory. His faux mission brings him face-to-face with a man he thought he’d never meet: his true-mate.
His omega runs smack dab into him while racing through the forest clutching his sister to his chest like the hounds of Frost are after him. There’s no time for these true-mates to slow down if they’re going to free Micah Gilmore and return peace to the Raven Hallow Wolf Pack once and for all.
Silas Crowise is in over his head. Discovered saving children left for dead in the forest he goes on the run taking his best friend with him. Once the pair reaches safety the battle’s only begun. His father and enemy, Brone, have allies he nor his Hemlock friends never imagined. Silas is determined to lead his people out of dark times, but will have to use all his strength, cunning, and every unconventional method he can think of to spare as many of his pack as possible.
Will love be enough to see Silas, Kodiak, and their families through the battles ahead?
Voron’s never met his Hemlock Wolf Pack relatives, but as a scientist and a Hemlock at heart he wants to help them win the battle raging on Earthside. His father, who left the family behind a long time ago, won’t look away from the scrying bowl as time differences drag out a battle that seems to have no end.
As a child the family on the other side of the door mystified him. Now, he might be the only one who can save them. As a scientist he refuses to believe there is no antidote for the famous poison dubbed “Meadow Berries.” Everything in nature has an opposite. It’s how the world remains in balance.
His skills are put to the test when his true-mate stumbles through a death door to the Other World that was never meant for him. Riddled with arrows and out of his mind from the poison cursing through his veins Voron is the only one with a chance of saving his other half.
But as with most things there’s more to the situation than what shows on the surface. Voron will have to use all his draconic wisdom, courage, and the help of his friends and family if he’s to have the life he’s always dreamed of.
Is love enough to save this Alpha in Distress?
For Sky Hemlock his youth on Hemlock Mountain feels like another lifetime. Big family gatherings, pack meetings, and flying over the mountains while his father demanded he land are years behind him, but everything boils to the surface when he and his true-mate decide to move their family back to Earthside.
An accumulation of a lifetime spent as a grounded dragon led Sky to leave his family’s land and venture into a new realm where love, adventure, and danger lurked around every corner. Still, he and Rune built a family while he lost contact with the ones he left behind.
Returning home after a war spanning years and taking place on both sides of the door Sky knows exactly what to expect. Some wolves never change. Still, if they drew together years ago could they have saved the lives they lost?
Rune Night Star-Hemlock is determined to bridge the gap between Sky and his twin brother, Darian. He enlists the help of Wrynn Heart-Hemlock to bring their Alphas together. As their stories unfold can the brothers find the middle ground before the next threat to both of their families find them?
Alpha Star Hemlock-Night Star would describe himself as a family man. He doesn’t have a family of his own yet, but his parents provide enough siblings to keep him busy. Not that there was much else for him to do back home in the Other Worldly Night Star Village. A successful warrior out east, he’s proven himself to be an important protector of the Hemlock Wolf Pack even if he is a dragon. To the outside world, Star is gruff, hotheaded, and at times irrational, but can be counted on when it’s down to the wire.
Star has secrets of his own. He’s haunted by nightmares of a man who died in the Other World many years ago. A warrior dragon waking up in cold sweats from a dream isn’t something he’d brag about. Star is sure he knows the cause behind the dreams, but the past can’t be changed, right?
Omega Zeke started his life as an almost victim of his own father. His rescuer was none other than the now well-known Doctor Barry. Growing up on Hemlock Mountain taught him a lot of things even if his past was a hush-hush subject not widely discussed. Now, he’s on a mission to have a baby. No, he’s not looking for the Alpha of his dreams or his true-mate to whisk him off his feet into a fairytale romance. He’s ready to charge headfirst into the single parent life. IVF is his one chance at making one painful secret into something better.
With layers of secrets surrounding them Star and Zeke meet as they both make their way to Hemlock Mountain for a ritual. Will these true-mates be able to untangle the knots surrounding their lives enough to put their pieces together? They’ll have to if they have any chance of a happily-ever-after.
Ivan grew up as a beta in the Raven Hollow Wolf Pack in the days before the big war out east. He narrowly escaped his death by reaching out to an old friend who saved him not only from his pack, but from a vote that should’ve sent him to the gallows.
Now at Hemlock Academy, Ivan finds life both easier and more difficult. The campus is a maze he can’t navigate. He doesn’t know what to do when other shifters act out in kind ways he doesn’t expect. Mostly, he doesn’t know what to do about his roommate, and crush Colton. In Ivan’s world, sexy Alphas like Colton don’t go for betas like him. They go for tail-wagging omegas or wait for their true-mates.
Except, he’s noticed Colton looking at him. He’s sure it’s his imagination, but when it turns out he’s not imagining the mutual attraction he enters a new social order that doesn’t always make sense to him. Then there’s the little problem. One day, he’s certain Colton’s true-mate will show up like a wrecking ball to their lives. Will love be enough to help Ivan navigate the strange new world that is Hemlock Academy?
After four years of being a couple and studying at Hemlock Academy, Ivan and Colton are ready to strike out on their own. Together, they travel to the impoverished New Hope Mountain Village which is home to a small population of non-shifters with the Alpha/omega genes. They’re ready to put their degrees in family life to work and make a real difference in the world.
Ivan is certain in a village full of non-shifters, Colton’s true-mate won’t turn up to rock the happy boat of their recent engagement. Little does he know that fate has other plans for him and his love life. Both men find more than they bargained for at the non-shifter village and they’ll have to learn to work together with someone new to find happiness and save the village from certain doom.
Bolt is a proud omega ‘midwife.’ As a transplant from the Raven Hollow Wolf Pack, he found solace in the non-shifter village before the war. His informal training in medicine at his mother’s side made him a valuable member of the community. Life is hard, but for him, the hard work pays off in big ways. When Ivan and Colton arrive at New Hope Mountain Village, Bolt doesn’t slow down. Colton and Ivan have come to the village to be family aides and that hasn’t changed. He’s drawn to Ivan too, either because or in spite of Colton. Two sets of helping hands are better than one, right?
Bolt welcomes Ivan into his new relationship with Colton, but the beta wolf still has doubts. Can these three lovers work together and find a way forward before time runs out?
June 19, 2021
My Latest Novel Got Pinged for Possible ‘Copyright’ Issues. (Spoiler: Amazon was wrong and the book’s live) now.)
Thursday morning when I published my latest novel, The First Omega, I didn’t plan to spend my Saturday morning writing a blog and refilling my mental energy from constant hassles from Amazon. I imagined this weekend to be one where I laid around reading and maybe caught up no things around the house.
This morning I’m a little less butthurt about the whole situation. I understand that Amazon as a business has a great incentive to ensure those who use their publication platform follow copyright laws. Besides, unless pirates are on ships there is nothing sexy about piracy. Still, my problem wasn’t with them double checking. My problem lays in the fact they claimed my proof wasn’t proof.
Okay, let’s backtrack to see what went on. When I woke up Friday morning and The First Omega was still in review I knew something was funky. On my side of things, nothing was different. I’ve done this for almost four years now and more books than I can count. But it NEVER takes that long.
Around noon it reverts back to draft with NO explanation. So, I put in a ticket and ask what’s up. The ticket response basically said for whatever reason they didn’t know. Thanks, Amazon. You’re really helpful. About an hour after that I got another email from them. Not the same ticket person, but someone in the copyright division.
It has come to our attention that the following book(s) may include one or more images on your book’s cover for which you may not have the necessary rights
At first, I was peeved. It was just a mild inconvenience. I reached out to the folks over at 123rf and within the hour I had what I thought they needed. Didiee the customer service rep who helped me was freaking awesome. No one would be reading The First Omega right now if it weren’t for her.
So, I send the email to Amazon. I forward everything she sent me. Well, nope. A letter and receipt for each of the photos in question wasn’t enough to make Amazon happy.
Thank you for responding to our request to confirm you hold the necessary rights to one or more images on your book(s) cover. The information you submitted for the book(s) is insufficient.
It was at this point I was annoyed. I mean, what more could I do? Did the site not own the right to let me buy the right to use these photos? That wasn’t the case. So, after regrouping I sent an email to Amazon asking what they needed that wasn’t provided. Well, I got a couple stock replies, but I kept emailing them. I had heard horror stories of other authors who battled Amazon for months over this despite doing everything by the book. I considered switching platforms. A platform is only as good as its ability to reach readers. The First Omega is years in the making and readers have been asking for it. So, it’s finished. It’s polished. And now it can’t reach my readers?
Well, eventually, either they grew tired of me emailing them or it came across the desk of an Amazon employee who gave a damn. Who told me what they thought they needed. After that I was able to get back with the awesome Didiee and she was able to help me out with it. Guys, Amazon jerked me around for over 8 hours because 123rfs official licensing statement didn’t have my email address on it. It’s petty. Amazon is petty.
But I’m not here to help Amazon. I’m here to help any author who has bought the right to use stock photos for their book covers. If you get pinged this is the complete list of what Amazon wants you to provide from whoever (photographer or stock photo site).
Your name
The image reference number(s)
Your Mailing Address
Your EMAIL Address
The fact you have permission to use this photo
Since I don’t want to spend all day reliving yesterday I’m going to go now. I have a book waiting on me to finish reading and another cup of coffee with my name on it.
P.S. Authors, if Amazon pings you for something and you know they’re wrong don’t let them get away with it. It’s annoying for us, but it also affects our readers.
June 12, 2021
April 24, 2021
Afternoon Slump, Dewey’s 4PM Check In
I’m feeling a bit of afternoon slump, but I am working on my 4th book of the day. I think I prefer what I’ve done the past few years of finding a nice door stopper of a book and reading it as far as I can and then finishing it up in the week that follows. I wanted to do it that way this year, but just didn’t have a long book I was in the mood for.
Don’t get me wrong. I’ve enjoyed most of what I’ve read today, but I didn’t feel as brain laggy when I stuck to a single long book. Anyway, I’m at 5 hours and 18 minutes of reading time for the readathon so far and I’ve read about 830 pages in total.
Since I last checked in I finished Anna North’s Outlawed and it wasn’t exactly what I expected. It had a slow start which slowed me down a bit – I like a book I can sink into. Save the slow burn for later in the book. lol
I’ll probably get about another 3ish hours in before I check in at 8 and get read for bed. If things go the way I think they will and I read tomorrow morning before 8AM too I’ll probably hit around my normal 10 hours of reading. I normally do well in the mornings and lag in the afternoon, and then get a good chunk of reading done in the evening.
![Outlawed by [Anna North]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1619385197i/31236304.jpg)
Dewey’s 4 Hour Check In
About 11:45 I came up for air, because my lunch arrived. I’ll be having leftovers for dinner, but those wings are sooo good.
So, let’s talk books. I’ve finished up 3. Read 2 completely, and about the last 80 pages with of Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi that I’m reading with a group of friends from r/bookclub over on Reddit.
I also finished Scott O’Dell’s Island of the Blue Dolphins & Josh Malerman’s Bird Box. (The first nostalgic and the latter creepy AF!)
So onto some stats (It’s almost 12:30 right now.)
I’ve read 515 pages across 3 books in 3 hours and 4 minutes. I’m on track for my normal amount of reading for one of these readathons. Next up is Outlaw – I don’t remember who it’s by right off the top of my head but it’s the one BOTM featured not too long ago.
I’m off to take a few minutes to decompress my brain and then dig into the next book! Happy reading!
Get ready! Get Set! Almost! (Another Dewey’s Readathon Post)
With just 10 minutes left until the start of the readathon I’m logging off my laptop until my check in at noon. I’ll probably post to my Facebook in the mean time. You can check in there to see what I’m up to in between blogs.
I’ve been waiting for this all year and can’t wait to get comfy on the sofa with Fenrir. She’s currently in her favorite bookish spot waiting on me.
Happy reading!
Good Morning! My Little Plan for Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon
There is a little less than 3 hours before Dewey’s officially starts. Lucky for me, I’ve always been an early riser. So, I have some time blog and entertain the cat and wake up enough brain cells to sink into a novel.
For those of you unfamiliar with the Readathon click here.
Coffee. It’s always first on my list to get ready for anything. I’m probably more a coffee based organism than a water based one at this point.
Before the readathon starts I have a few things to get done around the house, I want to squeeze in a quick work out so I don’t get all stiff too early in the day, and of course I need breakfast and stuff. I’ve been eating breakfast rather late in the day, but today I’m eating early so I can read 8-12 without stopping to cook. I have a meal prep that will either be lunch or dinner and I plan to order out for the other meal if the rain isn’t too bad. If it is, I won’t put my poor delivery guy through that. I live on the third floor of an apartment with no elevator. While I’m getting everything done this morning I plan to listen to the last 45 minutes or so of the audiobook of Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology. I’m not counting it for the readathon since it’s not time, but I just want to get it finished up anyway. I really like his take on the stories.
Once the readathon starts I plan to check in at noon, 4, and 8 EST time. After 8 I’ll be getting ready for bed and will resume reading and probably squeeze in another hour or 2 tomorrow morning. I don’t think I’ve ever broken 10 hours of reading in one of these in the last 3 or 4 years I’ve done them. I’d like to, but there are only so many hours in the day. So, we shall see how it goes.
Since I don’t consider myself much of a morning reader these days (I’m usually writing in the morning) I’m going to start with something a bit nostalgic and YA. I last read Scott O’Dell’s The Island of the Blue Dolphins when I was approximately 8 years old and in third grade. My teacher, Mrs. Maynard has this little library we could borrow from and AR reading had just began and it’s one of the few books that stick out from my early reading. I haven’t read this book in almost 24 years, but I do remember finishing it in a Saturday afternoon as a kid. So, it has to be easy reading for 32 year old me in the morning, right? lol
After that I’ll grab a book from this stack or grab one of the books I’m reading along with some lovely people from r/bookclub over on Reddit. I have two that we’re finishing up this weekend if I need a break from what’s in the stack.
Happy reading today! If you’re reading for Dewey’s too what’s first on your list?
P.S. I forget how distractable I am in the morning. Every time I went to grab a photo or link I got distracted. It’s taken me almost 45 minutes to write this little blog.
April 23, 2021
It’s Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon Tomorrow! And I’m more than ready!
Guys! I am so worn out mentally as I know many of you guys are too. I’m more than ready to take a day to do nothing other than read and eat snacks and have a better reason than ever to ignore my phone.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with Dewey’s it’s basically a day that we all take off to read as much as we can in 24 hours. No, you don’t have to read the whole 24 hours. You’re human after all. I for one, will still be sleeping tomorrow night. Sleep is an important part of my self-care. I lost too much sleep in my 20s to continue that craziness into my 30s.
I won’t talk in depth about the books I’m planning to read, because I’ll post here with updates/thoughts throughout the day tomorrow. If you’re wondering this is the stack I’ll be grabbing from. Yep, 3 of them are from BOTM. They’re not a sponsor or anything, but if you love books give them a looksee. I’ve found some of my favorite books so far this year in their selection.
My Dewey’s TBR StackThis year I flip flopped between if I wanted to dig into multiple books or just start a really long one like I’ve done the last few times. I don’t have any massive books I’m currently in a hurry to read, so I stuck with grabbing some I’ve been meaning to read or reread for a while. The only one that is a reread is the top one. I last read it in 3rd grade.
Are you participating in the readathon tomorrow? If so, what’s your list?
What I’m Writing: Nothing. Just finished up a book.
What’s in editing: Nothing. Just finished one up.
What I’m Reading: Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman and Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
April 6, 2021
Schedule? What’s that? (Camp NaNo Updates and a Mini Rant About a Certain Neighbor)
So, as those of you following along know my sleeping schedule has shifted over the last month or two between some personal happenings and EVIL Daylight Savings Time. I have something in my mid-late morning that is just about an every day engagement. On my old schedule I was done writing way before that time of day hit. Now, waking up between 5-6 not so much. It’s just an hour or an hour and a half later I’m waking up, but apparently I can write a lot in that time.
So, yesterday, feeling a bit defeated that I slept through the alarm again – I decided I’d try an experiment. I did a bunch of the side work stuff and got some chores around the house done – my usual afternoon stuff. Then I sat down to write in the afternoon. It felt weird. There were interruptions – I live on the corner of my apartment building – next to the steps. I have a neighbor who lives at the other end – who doesn’t own a car that is parked at that end of the building or anything – but insists on going up and down my side of the building for EVERYTHING. I swear I think the asshole uses it for cardio some days the way he goes up and down repetitively. I have my reasons for being annoyed with him for many other reasons – but I don’t feel like getting political on this blog.
So, the real problem is my usual writing area is against that outside wall. Usually that’s not a problem – I write in the morning. I do my side work in the kitchen in the afternoon. So, short of going out to ask if he had a personal vendetta against me having peace and quiet (I have mysphonia. So sound gets to me in weird ways) I moved into the kitchen. Except I wasn’t comfortable enough to zone out and write. I was about to give up and call the day wasted and the experiment a flop. Then I rearranged the living room a bit to make it work with the laptop. I swore it felt like I had spent the whole afternoon trying to work around other people – which always annoys me. It’s why I live alone. It’s me and the cat and everyone else can buzz off while I’m trying to work. It had only been about half an hour in which I wrote about 300 words from the two places I tried. I felt like a bit like Rory Gilmore on her the campus of her university trying to find a place to study.
The living room worked out. I had a good writing session on the sofa with the cat sleeping on my feet and came in at 5,896 words for Monday. Which I’m quite proud of because I had to work so hard to find a place to write away from noisy morons. So, this is day 2 of the experiment. I think today will go fine, but Wednesday I have errands that can only be ran in the afternoon. So I’m not sure how to deal with that one just yet.
My current WIP is at 43,295
I hope everyone else participating in Camp NaNo is having better luck finding quiet to write in than I am.
What I’m Writing: Book 7 of Love by Glitter Bomb
What’s in Editing: Nothing :O
Current Pre-Orders: Love By Glitter Bomb Box Set 2 & Dead Mates Society.
What I’m Reading: Insomnia by Stephen King & The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
April 3, 2021
Camp NaNo Updates: Day 2 and 3
I had every intention of blogging yesterday – I really did. Then I got caught up in the side job and then I wanted to do a bit of reading and a friend called me. Those are the reasons I write in the morning and like getting up before the rest of the world (or at least the people I know) are awake. That quiet time really makes a difference and the fact the time change STILL has me waking up an hour or so later than my normal time is affecting my word count. I’m slowly working on getting this back to normal without giving up too much sleep. The best tool in a writer’s toolbox is a healthy sleep schedule – well, it is if you ask me.
My current WIP is at 37,399 words. I hoped to reach 40k words this week, but I didn’t and that’s okay. I got pretty close.
April 2nd: 4,190 Words
April 3rd: 4,029 Words
So, that makes 1/3 writing days where I hit my goal so far. Though, I did have 2/6 days overall of hitting it this week. I think I’m within a few days of hitting the plotting point and that usually kicks up my word count once I have the ending plotted out. I’m close, but no cookie yet.
If you’re participating how are you doing so far this month?
What I’m Writing: Book 7 of Love by Glitter Bomb
What’s in Editing: Nothing :O
Current Pre-Orders: Love By Glitter Bomb Box Set 2 & Dead Mates Society (Pre-order is in Amazon’s review process and the link will come soon.)
What I’m Reading: Insomnia by Stephen King & If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo
