K.C. Kendricks's Blog, page 3

Little green things

March 20, 2025

I confess I've been sidetracked by little green things. Strawberry runners, basil sprouts, cabbage sprouts, Roma tomato sprouts, marigold seedlings, and begonia cuttings. It happens every year. 

This behavior is a direct result of being cooped up in an office for so many years. I envied my grandfather who had time to ooh and ahh over his seedlings every day. I installed Gro-light bulbs in the den but are my sprouts there? Nope. They're in my sunroom office with me. 

My late husband used to shake his head - but he said nothing. He found it amusing that after so many years another side of me popped out when I retired. He didn't help with the garden, except to keep me company when I worked in it, but he enjoyed fresh veggies on the table as much as I do. 

I supposed if I'm going to allow myself to be distracted it's best it be with something productive. 

And that new work-in-progress? I banged out the first chapter, slept on it, and decided it needed expansion. So I am working on that. 

     _*_*_*_*_*_*_

 KC KendricksMy home on the web- Between the Keys:  http://kckendricks.blogspot.com Visit my bookshelf at:  https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/bookshelf.html
Social media links:Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce:  deucesday.blogspot.com My country life at The Hideaway/Holly Tree Manor:  hollytreemanor.blogspot.com Snips and clips on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KCKendricks
twitter.com/kckendricks facebook.com/kckendricks

KC Kendricks, Between the Keys, LGBT gay romance, m/m romance, Kindle gay romance, gardening, writers on writing, a writer's life, distractions, contemporary gay romance

Another step forward

 

March 16, 2025

So I got a new phone. 

Why is this news? Because it means I finally had Ron's phone disconnected. I will no longer be able to dial his old number and hear his voice. This was hard to do. 

Yes, I paid the extra money to keep his phone active for the past year. My money and my choice. Maybe someday those among you who haven't yet lived through such loss will understand because the big loss will come, be it parent, spouse, child, or sibling. No one gets an exemption. 

I didn't get the best phone on the market. I don't need it. My phone is my PHONE. I talk, text, take pictures and videos (of the dog), and I check the weather. I don't find struggling to read on such a small screen enjoyable. I much prefer the computer for actual work. I do tend to compartmentalize my life, and work is done at my desk with two large monitors. 

Figuring out the new phone has been frustrating. Even YouTube only got me so far. The good news is that I'm getting there. I figured out how to turn the volume and brightness up - yea! The bad news is I ended up setting new passwords all over the place. This did not make me happy, but Google knew it wasn't talking to my old phone and wanted to make sure I'd not been hacked. It was a mess because there is me me and writer me on the same devices. Someone at Google doesn't get it. 

A new phone means a new case for said phone, so off I went to Amazon. There were too many choices and I likely made the wrong one. We'll see later today when Big A arrives. Why they run a truck all the way out here instead of mailing the case I'll never know. Obviously a thin cell phone case would fit in the mailbox. I doesn't make any sense to me since I live waaaaay out in the boondocks. And living waaaaay out here is why I use Amazon instead of driving twenty miles to the nearest shopping center every week. But I digress...

I'm usually pretty hard on myself when decisions involve my emotions. I tell myself it's silly to be sad over a necessary business decision. I know the truth in that. Ron's voice has been gone for almost a year. Letting go of a mechanical facsimile is a logical step, yet grief knows little of logic. 

I went to the cell phone store first thing in the morning and I was exhausted the rest of the day. But this morning, two days later, I picked up the new phone to check the weather forecast and I knew everything on the phone front was okay. 

We move forward step by step, and it seems I've taken a few more. 

     _*_*_*_*_*_*_

 KC KendricksMy home on the web- Between the Keys:  http://kckendricks.blogspot.com Visit my bookshelf at:  https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/bookshelf.html
Social media links:Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce:  deucesday.blogspot.com My country life at The Hideaway/Holly Tree Manor:  hollytreemanor.blogspot.com Snips and clips on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KCKendricks
twitter.com/kckendricks facebook.com/kckendricks
KC Kendricks, Between the Keys, a writer's life, loss of spouse, LGBT gay romance, m/m romance, Kindle gay romance, rural living, cell phone, country lifestyle, writers on writing, life changes

Pulling thoughts together and keeping the fingers limber

 

March 8, 2025

"In a country where they turn back time...." (Al Stewart, The Year of the Cat)

This evening as I prepare to go to bed, I'll enact the yearly ritual of setting the clocks ahead one hour. In the debate about Daylight Saving Time, I come down squarely on the side that says give me more evening hours of daylight. For what all that is worth. Being retired, I'm running on my own personal bio clock. I wake up when I wake up. Even Deuce has adjusted to life without the alarm clock. 

My Saturday morning ritual has changed, too. Back in the day, I was trained by the alarm to be up at six o'clock to prepare for the day job, and that carried over into the weekends. It might be Saturday, but I was up early - and that was okay. I loved being up early and having a quiet house while Ron slept in. 

Early Saturday and Sunday mornings provided the best block of undisturbed writing time I had. There was something about having those quiet hours that made the words pour out. I was very productive in those years. That gradually changed as Ron's health went downhill. Now I'm retired and I've become what I always wanted to be, The Lady of the Manor. And that's a Manor that requires time and effort to stay neat and tidy the way I like it. 

I had adopted a summer schedule when I first retired. Ron got up when I did and we had a cup of coffee while watching the weather channels. Then we'd go outside, if the weather was good, and do our chores. Frequently, I'd work in the garden and he'd just keep me company, but it was good to have someone to talk to while I worked. That all changed in 2024, of course. With his passing, it was an abnormal year.

It's been a year since. It's Saturday morning. I'm at the computer, and while writing a blog isn't writing a book, it's still writing something. My brain is pulling thoughts together and my fingers are setting them into being in the real world. I feel very blessed to be sitting here doing what I'm doing. And if I listen closely, I can hear the echoes of Ron's voice asking me if I'm ready to join him for a second cup of coffee. (Well, it always sounded more like an order, but that was Ron.) 

I'm determined to keep on track this summer. The summer of 2024 is a blur in my memory, but I know to be kind to myself over it. I know this summer will be different. Not "normal" the way my summer's used to be, but much, much better than last year. 

Will I spend Saturday mornings writing? That depends on the weather. It may be I water the garden before I do anything else. It may be all my writing will happen in the afternoons when I'm ensconced in my air conditioned sunroom office. 

I'm sure I thought these same thoughts last year, at some point, anyway. But I think this year, now that I'm in a better headspace, the afternoon writing is actually going to happen on a regular basis. 

You were right, Ron. Again. Your passing left a void, but life does fill in around it. 

 _*_*_*_*_*_*_

KC Kendricks
My home on the web- Between the Keys: 
http://kckendricks.blogspot.com
Visit my bookshelf at: 
https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/bookshelf.html
Social media links: twitter.com/kckendricks facebook.com/kckendricks Snips and clips on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KCKendricksLife through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce:  deucesday.blogspot.com My country life at The Hideaway/Holly Tree Manor:  hollytreemanor.blogspot.com

KC Kendricks, Between the Keys, contemporary gay romance, m/m romance, death of spouse, writing, a writer's life, gardening, time management, rural living, LGBT gay romance novels

I'm going to do it again

March 5, 2025

Whelp, here I go again. No, no, it's not a rip-off of Whitesnake. What I mean is, I've started the next book. 

Yea, me! Go, me! Has me lost me fluffin' mind? 

I zipped over to my story folder and took a count. This book will be Number 89. Yes, that count includes those books that are out of print or I never published (I have 3 of those). Some of those are the old Rayne Forrest books, but they count, too. I did write them. 

I think it may be a good sign that I started chapter one and ended up at over fifteen hundred words. It needs to be filled out some, but that will come. The good thing is I have the opening scene where our guys meet written. Tweaking comes when I know them a little better. 

If you follow along here at Between the Keys, you know I've given a lot of thought as to whether or not I want to continue to write. Why? The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is going to ruin romance fiction. Even now, I can tell if AI was used to write a book because it's like the last four books I've tried to read. Never until now have I returned ebooks, nor will I take a KU subscription. Perhaps I'm doomed to read and reread all the books currently in my library. Thank goodness I own a substantial amount of books that AI never touched. 

Another reason I've pondered whether or not to continue is that my internal life changed dramatically in 2024 with the death of my spouse. Externally, I still own my home and properties so I'm physically and materialistically comfortable. But I've changed. Now that I'm no longer a caregiver, how do I want to fill my days? I assure you that mindless television watching will not make the cut. 

Having time to do only those things one wants to do is both blessing and curse. Looking at my calendar and my To Do List, I have several options. Which one do I want to do? Since Ron passed, decision making is an effort and hiding away in my office writing feels like, well, hiding away. 

I think the weather just made today's decision for me. It has started to rain. 

Perhaps I'm not ready to take down the KC Kendricks shingle and pack up my keyboard. I find I'm eager to finish this blog entry and get back to the WIP. I think this is a good thing. I think I have my answer. 

_*_*_*_*_*_*_

KC Kendricks
My home on the web- Between the Keys: 
http://kckendricks.blogspot.com
Visit my bookshelf at: 
https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/bookshelf.html
Social media links: twitter.com/kckendricks facebook.com/kckendricks Snips and clips on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KCKendricksLife through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce:  deucesday.blogspot.com My country life at The Hideaway/Holly Tree Manor:  hollytreemanor.blogspot.com

KC Kendricks, Between the Keys, contemporary gay fiction, m/m fiction, Kindle romance, GLBT gay romance, m/m romance, a writer's life, writers on writing, questioning self, decision making, 

Surrendered Victory & Passion's Victory headed to KU

February 28, 2025

I'm pleased to now offer Surrendered Victory and Passion's Victory through Kindle Unlimited! They will still be available for purchase for those who want to add them to their permanent library. 

At this time, the plan is for this to be a limited run through about May 31, 2025. 

So go read for free!  

     _*_*_*_*_*_*_

 KC KendricksMy home on the web- Between the Keys:  http://kckendricks.blogspot.com Visit my bookshelf at:  https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/bookshelf.html
Social media links:Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce:  deucesday.blogspot.com My country life at The Hideaway/Holly Tree Manor:  hollytreemanor.blogspot.com Snips and clips on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KCKendricks
twitter.com/kckendricks facebook.com/kckendricks

Is it worth a republish?

February 26, 2025

"What should I do next?" is a frequent question. We all ask ourselves this, probably daily. Should I run the vacuum cleaner or maybe brush the dog first? Should I do a load of laundry or wait until tomorrow? Should I republish that story that was part of The Escort series I did with Christiane France, and I wrote by myself since she was so sick? 

Yep. That's the one for today.

The Escort series was written quite a while back. Chris and I started book four, but she fell seriously ill. It ended up that I wrote the book and gave her fifty-percent writing credit. The other books in the series she was a contributor. 

Chris passed away June 19, 2019, and I still miss her. Our writing styles were very similar and we worked well together. I've hesitated to republish the entire Escort series because it was a joint collaboration, except for the one story. 

I think I will call up the file and give it a read-through. I remember I had a lot of ideas for the story that wouldn't fit in the word count limit we set. We wanted to eventually have the entire series published in a paperback, so each story needed to be on the short side. I can look at my notes and expand the story to at least double its current size. That be a good project to work on when I need a break from newer works. 

That's my thought of the day, anyway. 

 _*_*_*_*_*_*_

KC Kendricks
My home on the web- Between the Keys: 
http://kckendricks.blogspot.com
Visit my bookshelf at: 
https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/bookshelf.html
Social media links: twitter.com/kckendricks facebook.com/kckendricks Snips and clips on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KCKendricksLife through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce:  deucesday.blogspot.com My country life at The Hideaway/Holly Tree Manor:  hollytreemanor.blogspot.com

KC Kendricks, Between the Keys, m/m romance, LGBT gay romance, series romance, Kindle romance, First of February, Hard Habit to Break, Amethyst Cove, Kentucky 98 Proof, romance writer, 

Now available! The First of February by KC Kendricks

February 19, 2025

THE FIRST OF FEBRUARY

Jamison Long wasn’t looking for a hook up, much less the manof his dreams. He was looking for a new ride, nothing more. Then Harper Vancewalked up and shook his hand, and Jamison was smitten. When Harper’s place ofemployment shuttered its doors and the owner skipped town without providingseverance pay, Jamison seized the opportunity and offered Harper a place tolive.

The move is not without consequences. Jamison has an exdetermined to undermine his fledging relationship with Harper. The seeds ofdoubt are planted, leaving Harper unsure if being with Jamison is a good idea.It seems Jamison’s job is the most important thing in his life, just like theex-boyfriend said.

Jamison fights to prove he’s the man for Harper, but issuesarise that Harper can’t overlook. It will take patience and love to prove that theirmeeting on the first of February was the best thing to happen to both of them. 

_*_*_

Purchase links are below, after the excerpt. 

_*_*_*_*_

EXCERPT

My line of investigative work made it preferable to drivesomething two, maybe three, years old. And to my sorrow, it couldn’t besomething that stood out from the herd, either. I was looking for a mid-sizeSUV, white, or silver, which looked like a thousand others zipping around PointPleasant.

My boss had set me up with a rental and I was making therounds of the used car lots with an eye on the sky. It looked like it was aboutto start to snow, and I didn’t like to drive in the white stuff. I eased thecar along the line of used SUVs and spotted a pewter-colored Chevy withfour-wheel drive. I parked and climbed out to look at the sticker.

“I can make you a good deal on that one.”

I turned to see who’d spoken and looked straight into themost gorgeous brown eyes I’d ever seen. He held his right hand out to me. “I’mHarper Vance, and I’m serious about making you a great deal on this one.”

I shook his hand. “Jamison Long. What’s wrong with it?”There were good deals, and there was my deal. I’d play the game and see whichone he’d do.

“Nothing, really. It’s four years old and should have a setof new tires put on it. The mileage is spot on to where it should be for theage of the vehicle. The interior is very clean.”

“Non-smoker?”

“I’m pretty sure that’s a yes. I drove it home last nightand didn’t detect a whiff of stale smoke.” He flashed me a smile that showedoff his even white teeth and brought two laugh lines to the corners of hiseyes. He held up a key fob and unlocked the vehicles. “Take a look.”

I’d already seen what I wanted, and I needed more than a keyto unlock it. I asked to drive it knowing full well he’d ride along.

The vehicle met my needs, but I didn’t want to tell himthat. I drove a leisurely loop of several blocks while he outlined thefeatures. I wasn’t paying attention to the details. I detected a hint ofsouthern drawl in his voice, and his clear tenor drew me in and held mecaptive. The first few snowflakes fell, and I decided to head back.

He patted the dash. “This should go well in the snow withnew tires. Do you like it?”

I did but I also didn’t want to overpay for it. I didn’tcare how sexy he was. I steered the SUV into its slot and switched off theignition. “Why don’t you buy me a coffee and we can talk about it?”

Harper’s smile was genuine. His interested gaze held no hintof a man looking to make only a financial deal. “I’d love to buy you a cup ofcoffee. I hope you don’t mind if we take it in my office.”

I didn’t care where we went if it kept him talking longer. Ihanded the keys back to him. “I don’t mind at all.”

His office was little more than a partitioned cubby and Iwas acutely aware of how our voices would carry to his co-workers. He had acarafe of coffee, plus creamer and sugar in his office.

“I like to make a pot and bring it in with me. That way itdoesn’t get cooked to tar.” His explanation made perfect sense to me, and Iaccepted a cup with thanks.

“I drink it black.” I set the cup on the corner of his deskto allow it to cool a bit. He fixed his mug with creamer and sugar.

Harper sat and reached for a pen. “Is the car you drove inthe car you’re trading?”

I shook my head and told him what had happened. He listenedwithout asking questions until I finished the tale.

“So, what I have is a check from the insurance company.” Ididn’t tell him how much it was.

“We can work with that.” He did some quick figuring, wrote aprice on a slip of paper, and handed it to me.

It looked surprisingly good to me, but if I said that, we’ddo the paperwork, and I’d never see him again.

“Can I think about it and get back to you tomorrow?”

He looked out the window. I followed his gaze to observe thesnow getting heavier. “Sure, but I wouldn’t wait too long. The dealership isliquidating, and time is short. Everything is being hauled off the lot at thebeginning of next week.”

It was none of my business, but I was nosey. “What are yougoing to do?”

“I’m trying to get a photography business off the ground.It’s slow going, but my client list is growing. I take good pet pictures.” Helaughed and I joined in.

“I’ll tell my sister. She’s bonkers over her mutt. Got acard I can give her?”

He handed me one as an older man stuck his head around thecorner. “Hey, Harper. They just announced the buses are canceled due to thesnow. You’d better hurry if you don’t want to walk.”

Harper nodded and thanked him for the weather update.

I knew an opening when one was handed to me, and I jumped onit. “If you need a ride home, I can take you. In fact, I’d like to take you todinner tonight.”

He cleared his throat. “Thank you for the lift home, butgoing out might not be a good idea. How about I cook for you instead?”

I batted my eyelashes at him. “You just want to sell me acar.”

He met my gaze with a ruttish stare and slowly shook hishead. “I want to get to know you better.”

“Sounds like a good plan to me. When can you leave?”

Harper motioned at the showroom. “It looks like everyone isclearing out. With us closing, and the weather, there’s not a lot of incentiveto hang out for another half hour.”

We stood and I held his coat for him. He shoved his glovesin his pocket, picked up his carafe, and we walked out together like we did itevery day. It felt that right. He didn’t say a word when I opened the car doorfor him.

I was a bit shocked at how fast and heavy the snow wascoming down. It looked like there was about an inch on the ground. I slidbehind the wheel and started the engine.

“Was this in the forecast, Harper? I don’t remember.”

“The weather guessers said it was a sixty percent chance ofsnow, but it is the first of February. It’s our snowy time.”

“True. Do you need to stop for anything?”

“No, but thanks for asking. I live at Bayfront Commons.”

He didn’t need to tell me where that was. Anyone who’d livedin Point Pleasant any length of time knew. It was a mid-century apartmentcomplex that was in its day very upscale but was now developing a reputation asa drug hub. Once we got there, I parked but left the engine running.

“Harper, I’m sorry, but I think I’d better get home. There’salready two inches of snow on the ground and it looks like there is a lot moreto come.”

He sighed and nodded. “I think you’re right. I’m sorry, too,because I would have enjoyed cooking for you. Another time?”

I grinned and held my hand out to him. “Absolutely. I’llhold you to it. How would you feel about giving me your private phone number?”

He squeezed my hand and then let go to get his phone out ofhis pocket. We exchanged our private numbers, and he shifted in his seat.

“You’d better get going, Jamison. The streets are going tobe icy.”

I held my hand out again, and when he wrapped his fingersaround mine, I lifted our joined hands and kissed his knuckles under his amusedgaze.

“I’ll see you tomorrow about the SUV, okay?”

Harper nodded and made a fast exit from the rental. Iwatched him hustle down the walkway and disappear inside. Feeling like aschoolboy, I sat in the car and watched for a light to suddenly shine through awindow, but it didn’t happen. Driving carefully, I made my way home and settledon a potluck for dinner. It wasn’t a home-cooked meal, but it was frugal. Ifinished the Kung Po Chicken, the slice of pizza, and the last slice of hamlunchmeat wrapped around a slice of cheese.

Well, hell. I was getting slow. I grabbed my phone andcalled Harper. He answered immediately.

“I hoped you’d call me, Jamison.”

“I’m happy you answered. Hey, man. How are you getting towork tomorrow? Should I come by and give you a lift?”

I swear I heard him smile.

“I would like that. They’ll have the buses running, but whoknows if they’ll be on time.”

“I know. What time should I be there?” I hoped it wasn’tsome ungodly hour like six o’clock but if it was, I’d man up and be there ontime. He’d offered me dinner. Would he ask me to breakfast instead?

“I don’t have to be there until nine, but if you need tomake it earlier, that’s fine. I have the code to get into the building. I’ll bewarm and dry.”

I breathed a quiet sigh of relief. “I have a staff meetingat nine, so I’ll get you at eight-thirty. How’s that sound?”

“You know, Jamison. You could stop for donuts and come alittle earlier. You know I fix a mean cup of coffee.”

Yes!

“Good idea! I love donuts. Be there at eight?”

“I like the ones with chocolate icing. Don’t disappoint me.”

I laughed. “I never disappoint, Harper. I can bring you references.  I’ll try to surprise you, but there will be chocolateiced.”

"Okay, then.  Sleep well. Bye.”

“Good night, Harper.”

The connection broke. I clutched the phone to my chest likea teenager, grinning like a fool. Harper liked to flirt. I could work with that, I really could.

The First of February is available at: 

Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DX3WN767

Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DX3WN767

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DX3WN767

Amazon AU https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DX3WN767

Barnes & Noble   https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-first-of-february-kc-kendricks/1147002383

Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-first-of-february

iTunes https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-first-of-february/id6742053355

Universal link to additional vendors https://books2read.com/u/310dJr

Now we begin again

February 17, 2025

Having put the finishing touches on The First of February and uploaded the manuscript to the various online vendors, being Amazon and beyond, I now wait for the book to "populate" or publish on those sites. It truly is a waiting game everywhere except Amazon. I will admit Big A gets a book up in a hurry. 

Today is a Monday, and I'm faced with beginning more than a new week. I've finished a story, now what? What's next? Am I ready to tackle the next project? 

In past years I'd have the answers, but having had one of those Life Changing Events, I'm even more introspective than before. Being on my own means looking at choices differently without the support of my late husband. He was a good sounding board. 

As I was writing The First of February, I decided I'd follow through on a semi-frivolous notion of writing a collection of books with a month in the title. I've got six months covered, so today my question is do I make the next book one of that collection? I also have a few completed manuscripts that need some work. Do I work on those to bring the up to snuff? Why can't I do everything at once? Oh, yeah - only twenty-four hours in a day and I have a "manor" to manage. 

I'm going to spend my day looking at those options and seeing what can be completed in the least amount of time. (Time being relative to all things.) It feels like an author-ish thing to do in the middle of February when this author won't work outside in the cold and wind. This current wind event is doing a prune job on small twigs and limbs and there is an abundance of them to pick up out in the yard.  

It's time to fix a cup of tea and get to it. Wherever I end up will be where I'm supposed to be, and I'm fine with that. 

    _*_*_*_*_*_*_

 KC KendricksMy home on the web- Between the Keys:  http://kckendricks.blogspot.com Visit my bookshelf at:  https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/bookshelf.html
Social media links:Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce:  deucesday.blogspot.com My country life at The Hideaway/Holly Tree Manor:  hollytreemanor.blogspot.com Snips and clips on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KCKendricks
twitter.com/kckendricks facebook.com/kckendricks

KC Kendricks, Between the Keys, The First of February, By the Month, m/m romance, LGBTQ gay romance, Kindle romances, a writer's life, contemporary gay romance, gay fiction, male on male romance

That did not go as planned!

 February 12, 2025

As stated on Monday, I'm in the homestretch for completing The First of February. I still need to write the cover paragraphs and set up the book page, tasks I'd hoped to have done yesterday. 

Yesterday did not go as planned. <deep sigh>

The forecast was for snow to begin early afternoon, which it did. I decided to make a dash down the mountain and support a few local businesses in the nearest small town. It was going well until I tried to start the Charger to drive home. I pushed the Start button. Nothing. Nada.

My handy dandy code reader said P2122. Google said that code was a sensor misalignment. What. The. Fuck??????

Bottom line - the car wouldn't even crank. I called my cousin and he was Dave-on-the-spot in ten minutes with a portable power pack. He hooked it up and BAM! The car started immediately. He followed me to the automotive shop I deal with and they installed a new battery. 

And here's the real kicker - the old battery was original equipment. The mechanic was impressed. He told me the old battery still had a Chrysler product sticker on it. Now, I knew the battery was old because I'd never put one in the car, but I didn't think it was original. Wow. 

He also said the onboard computer probably kicked out that code to prevent damage to all the electronic gizmos on the car, but he admitted that was just his theory. Bottom line is the car is fine and thanks to my cousin, so am I. 

So to summarize, the day did not go as planned. I got the front and end material added to The First of February and that was it. SO...today I must write the cover paragraphs and get the book page set up. I'll need to go back through recent blogs and add the link, too. 

I can't go play in the snow until I get those two things accomplished. 

    _*_*_*_*_*_*_

 KC KendricksMy home on the web- Between the Keys:  http://kckendricks.blogspot.com Visit my bookshelf at:  https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/bookshelf.html
Social media links:Life through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce:  deucesday.blogspot.com My country life at The Hideaway/Holly Tree Manor:  hollytreemanor.blogspot.com Snips and clips on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KCKendricks
twitter.com/kckendricks facebook.com/kckendricks
KC Kendricks, Between the Keys, The First of February, LGBT gay romance, m/m romance, Kindle gay romance, contemporary gay romance, rural living, 2011 Dodge Charger

In the homestretch on The First of February

February 10, 2025

The absolute worst part of being forced to go indie is not writing the story. It's editing. I'm thankful every time I edit a story that I have years and years of experience working with good editors. I learned a lot from them and I apply that knowledge as thoroughly as possible. 

I also use the tried and proven tools a good word processing program offers. I'm not a fan of AI that creates characters, plots, and then writes a story for you, but I will use good old-fashioned spellcheck. I'll also run a grammar check because, you know, commas. Have I ever mentioned I don't really get the comma? Here a comma, there a comma, everywhere a comma comma! But I digress...

I've learned to break down the chore of finishing the manuscript for uploading into several segments to be done over a couple of days. This keeps my brain from getting tired and keeps me focused. If I tried to do it all in one day, my attention span would snap and I'd turn into a squirrel. 

It's going well, I'm happy to report. The plan for tomorrow is to add the front and end material to the manuscript and, keeping my fingers crossed, get the cover paragraphs written. If I accomplish that, I may even get a book page created. If I do, I can upload the completed work by Friday. 

That's the plan. I hope it works out.

 _*_*_*_*_*_*_

KC Kendricks
My home on the web- Between the Keys: 
http://kckendricks.blogspot.com
Visit my bookshelf at: 
https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/bookshelf.html
Social media links: twitter.com/kckendricks facebook.com/kckendricks Snips and clips on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KCKendricksLife through the eyes of my black Lab, Greenbrier Smokey Deuce:  deucesday.blogspot.com My country life at The Hideaway/Holly Tree Manor:  hollytreemanor.blogspot.com

KC Kendricks, Between the Keys, The First of February, contemporary gay romance, LGBT gay novels, series romance, m/m romance, gay novels for Kindle, a writer's life, writing tips