Victoria Zigler's Blog: Zigler News, page 87

#WriterWednesday - August 29th 2018

(Cover art by Jacob Blackmon, banner creation by Barbara G. Tarn).

In case you missed yesterday's post: my entire "Zeena Dragon Fae" series is now available in audio from Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. The narrator is Ella Lynch, who was a delight to work with, and who you can learn more about in her narrator interview on Alex's blog. Links for all formats can be found in both my post from yesterday and Ella's interview post. Alternatively, you can use these fancy universal book links, and just click on the book title to find the book at your favourite retailer: Zeena And The Dryad, Zeena And The Gryphon,
Also, Enid The Spirit Fairy from my "Zeena Dragon Fae" books was interviewed over on Barb's blog on Sunday (August 26th 2018). You can read her interview here.

In other news, I was over on Sally's blog this past Saturday (August 25th). I was one of the brunch guests, as part of her end of Summer party. If you have a few moments, why not pop over there and meet her other guests. Also, you can check out the song requests that didn't make it in to the brunch post, including my own musical request.

I'm glad I set things up for those posts before ending up in hospital, and didn't have to sort them at the last minute after getting home. This is one benifit of my habit of making sure things are scheduled ahead of time whenever possible. You wouldn't even have had posts on this blog last week if I hadn't scheduled them already, because I wasn't feeling up to doing much last week, including sorting blog posts and eMails, or doing writing of any sort. I managed to sort enough eMails to avoid my inbox getting even worse than it was, and wrote the post for Sunday. But that was about all I managed, and I almost didn't even do that much. It was this past Monday (August 27th) before I felt up to doing anything more than that, which is lucky, or you wouldn't have today's post, since only Monday and Friday already had something scheduled for this week.

Speaking of which: sometimes you just don't feel like writing, and that's OK. But should you only write when you feel like it? Probably not. If you've got a good reason not to be writing as much as you'd planned to - health issues, family or work commitments, etc - that's fair enough. But constantly putting off writing because you just don't feel like it will make it impossible to reach any of your writing goals. Taking writing breaks is fair enough, and can often be a good idea, especially if you're dealing with a lot of life stuff, such as hospital trips. Sometimes you have to write when you don't feel like it though. At least, you do if you want to get anywhere with your writing.

So, we all agree you need to write. But which point of view will you write from? If you're thinking of writing in first person, and looking for some tips for doing so, check out this post on how to make writing in first person easier.

Hey, what's going on with CreateSpace and KDP Print? Well, it sounds to me like KDP Print is taking over. I'm sticking with CreateSpace for now myself, partially because I don't want to deal with moving 53 titles from one to the other right now. Yes, 53, since the proof for "Where's Noodles?" is currently on its way to me. I think I'll probably end up with no choice eventually. But right now I don't have to, and could do without making more work for myself when it can be avoided. Though how much longer I'll be able to avoid it is unclear, since I think it's going to happen soon. More on this as I know more myself.

#KidLit #Fantasy #Books - The Zeena Dragon Fae Series By @VictoriaZigler Now In #Audio! #FaerieDragons #Pixies #Fairies #ChildrensBooks #MGLit

Thanks to the naration skills of Ella Lynch, my "Zeena Dragon Fae" books are now in audio!

For those who don't know: The "Zeena Dragon Fae" series tells the story of a faerie dragon named Zeena, a pixie named Saarik, and their quest to save the world from the evil Spirit fairy.

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Book 1 - Zeena And The Dryad

Zeena the faerie dragon doesn’t think she’s special, even though she’s the only one of her kind to have mastered the magic for all five elements equally. But when a dryad named Kishi comes to her for help, she doesn’t hesitate. Together with her best friend – a mischievous pixie named Saarik – Zeena sets off to free Heidi the earth fairy, as well as to save the woods and the creatures of Earth.

Buy "Zeena And The Dryad" as an audiobook, eBook, or paperback - in some cases two or more of these formats - from Audible, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Chapters-Indigo, iBooks, iTunes, Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada, or The Book Depository, along with a few other retailers.

The book also has a page on Goodreads.

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Book 2 - Zeena And The Gryphon

With their quest to free the earth fairy barely completed, Zeena and Saarik are approached by another creature in need of their help; this time a gryphon named Aquillo. So the two friends set off on a quest to free the air fairy, Ora, and save the mountain dwelling creatures from the goblins.

Buy "Zeena And The Gryphon" as an audiobook, eBook, or paperback - in some cases two or more of these formats - from Audible, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Chapters-Indigo, iBooks, iTunes, Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada, or The Book Depository, along with a few other retailers.

The book also has a page on Goodreads.

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Book 3 - Zeena And The Mermaid

The adventures of Zeena and Saarik have already taken them through the woods and up the mountains. Now they’re answering a plea for help from a mermaid named Naia. With the help of both Naia’s magic and Zeena’s own magic, the two friends head on an underwater quest to free the water fairy, Lana, and make the ocean safe once more.

Buy "Zeena And The Mermaid" as an audiobook, eBook, or paperback - in some cases two or more of these formats - from Audible, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Chapters-Indigo, iBooks, iTunes, Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada, or The Book Depository, along with a few other retailers.

The book also has a page on Goodreads.

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Book 4 - Zeena And The Phoenix

After all their recent adventures, Zeena and Saarik aren’t surprised when a plea for help comes again; this time from a phoenix named Uri. But the two friends have more than the freeing of the fire fairy, Tandie, and the safety of the fire creatures who live in the volcano to worry about. An elven village lies near the base of the now very unstable volcano, and the fate of the elves is in Zeena and Saarik’s hands.

Buy "Zeena And The Phoenix" as an audiobook, eBook, or paperback - in some cases two or more of these formats - from Audible, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Chapters-Indigo, iBooks, iTunes, Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada, or The Book Depository, along with a few other retailers.

The book also has a page on Goodreads.

#MondayMotivation And #Inspiration - August 27th 2018

The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.
~William Shakespeare

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
~Aristotle

If you're reading this... Congratulations, you're alive. If that's not something to smile about, then I don't know what is.
~Chad Sugg

Turn your wounds into wisdom.
~Oprah Winfrey

The unexamined life is not worth living.
~Socrates

You do not write your life with words...You write it with actions. What you think is not important. It is only important what you do.
~Patrick Ness

Another Medical Update - August 26th 2018

This time last week, I was in hospital.

The dizziness got worse on the Friday (August 17th). It had been about the same, so I was all set to do what my surgery told me to do when I called that morning about having my blood levels checked the following week, which was to call on the Monday morning (August 20th) for a doctor ring-back, and ask the doctor for the papers I'd need to get the test done by the surgery. But then we decided to go out for food. The cafe we chose wasn't far from here, and there were plenty of options for me to sit down and rest if I needed to on the way there and back, so we figured I'd be OK. I mean, it's not like me going for walks when I'm dizzy is a new experience. I was fine too. Until we started home, and the dizziness got so much worse it was only the fact I tend to hold Kelly's arm even while using my cane that kept me on my feet, and even then I was only just on them.

Kelly got me to the nearest bench, and we knew I wasn't making it much further. Even if I made it back to our building, there was no way I was getting up all those stairs.

So we called an ambulance.

Except, the dispatcher decided I didn't need one, and refused to send one out. Well, she said I could be put on some non-priority list if I absolutely insisted I had no way to get to the hospital myself and had to go. However, she also told me the ambulance services were busy dealing with people who really do need their help, so it would be about a four hour wait. So... I'm feeling like I'm about to pass out, can't even stand without someone helping me stay upright, and stuck out in the street in that state, and she thinks I don't need an ambulance. Um... O-k-a-y...

It's not like I call for an ambulance all the time. In fact, other than the time when I couldn't breathe back around Easter, I've been getting myself to the hospital via taxi. But we were reluctant to use a taxi when I couldn't even stand on my own two feet, since Kelly couldn't come with me because of Lilie. So it's not like it can be that they think I'm one of those people who calls an ambulance for the least little thing, because I don't.

Luckily, our friends Lorna and Andy were able to take me to the hospital.

They helped me inside, made sure I was all checked in, but couldn't stay. I don't mind though. I was just grateful someone was able to help me get there in the first place. I still can't believe the emergency dispatcher didn't think sat on the side of the street fighting not to pass out qualified someone for an ambulance. But there you go.

Anyway, I was on a bed within ten minutes of being at the hospital, and they checked my blood again. The results hadn't changed from the Wednesday - still 79 for my HB level - but I was in worse shape. The doctors I saw over the weekend still can't believe I was even sent home on the Wednesday, and were disgusted when I told them about the ambulance not coming for me.

I had a blood transfusion. They gave me two bags of blood on the Saturday morning, but it only brought my levels from 79 to 84. But about that time the shot finally kicked in properly and stopped my bleeding, and that combined with the bag they gave me Sunday morning got my HB level up to 94. Still low, but good for me, and much better than it was. Plus, it improved the dizziness issue, which helped.

They also gave me an iron transfusion on Monday evening, before I went home. Apparently that's something they don't do much. The stuff even had to be specially ordered. But they figured it was needed in my case. I've got to go as an outpatient on Tuesday (August 28th) to have another iron transfusion. Then they want to have my bloods checked again in a couple of weeks.

Basically, what happened to have me bad enough to be in the hospital is that the shot didn't work first time. Which apparently can happen. It's officially meant to work from the first shot, but it's not all that unusual for it not to kick in until the second one. Well, duh! I'd already figured out it didn't work first time. Nice of them to warn me about the potential delay in it working though. *Sigh* Anyway, that fact combined with my levels already being a bit low, and then me doing things to get my blood pumping quickly - like exercise - caused things to get worse for me. In short, what happened is exactly what we suspected was happening, which they chose to ignore was happening when I went to A and E on the Wednesday. So... Yeah...

Anyhow, if the shot keeps doing its thing, I should be good until they do the hysterectomy. Not that I'm feeling amazing, but at least I'm not so dizzy I feel like I'm going to pass out any second. Not right now anyhow. My arms and hands are quite sore from all the being jabbed with needles though, which wasn't helped by the fact my veins weren't feeling very co-operative, so I got jabbed with needles more times than I otherwise would have while they tried to persuade my veins to co-operate with them. Not fun for me, let me tell you! Oh, and I even tried asking my veins nicely to behave, but it didn't work. It was worth a try though, right?

They'll be keeping an eye on my levels over these next few months... They want them checked regularly until at least after surgery is over and done with. They actually should have been keeping an eye on them to start with, but whatever.

The good thing is, though they do still want some weight off me if possible - I do understand why, and told them I do agree it would be better for me, for the surgery, and in general - they're now actually agreeing the surgery needs to be done sooner rather than later, no matter what. If they change their mind, I know who I can talk to about getting them to change it back, since Kelly spoke to our doctor while he was having his appointment, and he's actually annoyed they haven't done it yet. So, if they give me issues about getting the surgery done, I'll just have to hold out to spacifically speak to my own doctor, and he'll make sure it gets done. Starting to wish I'd done that in the first place. If I'd known he'd be so much on my side - he's angry it hasn't been done yet - I'd have waited the couple of weeks to speak to him personally back in May. Oh, well.

Speaking of Kelly's appointment:

I was still in the hospital when Kelly was meant to go for his appointment. Luckily, Lorna and Andy were able to have Lilie for a few hours so he could still go to it, even though I was in hospital. But I'll let Lilie tell you about that herself.

The lump thing on Kelly's head appears to have been a cyst. A rather large one. It's been sent off for testing, just to make sure it's nothing worse than that, but the doctor is pretty sure it was just a cyst that won't be causing any more issues. Kelly had to have a couple of stitches in his head, which he gets out a week on Monday (September 3rd). If the cyst was anything more than just a cyst, he'll find out during that appointment.

So, we have my second iron transfusion on August 28th, Kelly's stitches coming out on September 3rd, my third shot on September 7th, and me having my blood checked again the following week (exact date not yet arranged).

All this, combined with the issues with the neighbour - who still insists on banging for the least little thing, day or night, and has started being verbally abusive to delivery people too now - means my stress levels are quite high at the moment. That might have been a contributing factor as well, since stress has your blood pumping quickly too. They know at the hospital I'm struggling with my anxiety levels right now, because I had a bad enough anxiety attack while at the hospital that I had a few minutes in a quiet room, and the nurse was worried enough to send a doctor to check on me after a couple of minutes. I might have been OK, but one of the other patients in my room wasn't easy to deal with, and after three nights with almost no sleep, and a couple of days of being poked and prodded by doctors, it all got too much for me.

The anxiety attack had been coming on all night. I'd been trying to keep it from getting bad with trips to the bathroom (where I could get a few moments alone). But it wasn't helping, even though I was able to do that as often as I wanted or needed to, since I'd been placed in a bed where it actually was possible for me to get myself to the bathroom, so I started doing that once the dizziness wasn't quite so bad, and there was less risk of me ending up in a heap on the floor.

At least my asthma is under control right now... That's something.

#FurkidFriday: Maizie The #Chinchilla's 5 Favourite Ways To Spend Her Time

Hi everyone. This is Maizie the chinchilla.

I thought I'd share with you what my favourite ways to spend my time are. Like my chinchilla sister, Mollie, I couldn't pick just three, so you get five instead. So, here you go:

Playing in the sand bath.Eating nibbles. Oatmeal is my favourite, but any nibbles the human caretakers are offering are usually fine by me.Playing. I especially enjoy games where I can run, jump, or climb.Watching TV. My favourite show is NCIS, and I get upset if someone turns it off in the middle of an episode.Getting attention. It doesn't have to be pets and cuddles... I have to be in the right mood for those... But I like to be noticed. Just a simple, "Hi Maizie," as you pass my cage is enough to brighten my day.
Squeak soon,
Maizie

#WednesdayWisdom - August 2018

The main thing is to be moved, to love, to hope, to tremble, to live.
~Auguste Rodin

Order and simplification are the first steps toward the mastery of a subject.
~Thomas Mann

I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.
~Leonardo da Vinci

Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.
~Aristotle

Some people consider the practice of love and compassion is only related to religious practice and if they are not interested in religion they neglect these inner values. But love and compassion are qualities that human beings require just to live together.
~Dalai Lama

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.
~J.R.R. Tolkien

You’re braver than you believe and stronger and smarter than you think.
~Winnie-the-Pooh

Awareness Days And Weeks Connected With #Blindness, #SightLoss, #GuideDogs, And #Glaucoma

After reading the post about using awareness days to promote your book, which I posted about in this post from a few weeks ago, and thinking what an interesting marketing idea it was, I decided to go looking for some I could use to promote my own writing. In case you're curious - and because I can - I decided I'd even post about the ones connected with blindness, sight loss, Guide Dogs, and Glaucoma (the latter being the particular eye condition I have). I'm not promising this is a complete list. It's just what I found in my search. Anyway, here you go...

World Braille Day (January 4th)

World Braille Day is annually celebrated on January 4, the birthday of Braille inventor, Louis Braille. The day recognizes the contributions of Louis Braille in helping blind and visually impaired people to read and write.

WORLD GLAUCOMA WEEK (March; exact date varies)

World Glaucoma Awareness Week is held in March, and is an annual event by the International Glaucoma Association (IGA), to increase public understanding of Glaucoma in the UK and further afield. During the week, matters such as the need for eye checks and quick action on vision changes are raised with the general public, to help prevent and treat Glaucoma.

International Guide Dogs Day (last Wednesday in April)

Guide dogs are amongst the most phenomenal animals on the planet, and the difference they make to the lives of those without sight simply cannot be overstated. It is impossible to feel anything but pure love and awe when you witness just how dedicated these guys are to their owners, or, it seems, best friends, and how precious and adorable the relationship the two of them have is. To celebrate these dogs and the patient and talented people who train them, and pay tribute to the important role they each play in our society, people across the world come together to partake in International Guide Dogs Day. It isn’t just those who need Guide Dogs that celebrate this special day, either. The crucial work they do is recognised by everyone, and on International Guide Dogs Day, lots of people like to go out of their way to honour and express their gratitude to these dogs who have impacted the lives of so many.

National Glaucoma Awareness Week (June; exact date varies)

The IGA runs its own national public awareness week in June: National Glaucoma Awareness Week. It highlights a topical and relevant issue based on the calls that we receive to our helpline.

National Eye Health Week (september; exact date varies)

Vision really matters. Sight is the sense people fear losing the most, yet many of us don’t know how to look after our eyes – National Eye Health Week aims to change all that!

Guide Dogs Week (October; exact date varies)
A week to raise awareness of Guide Dogs and those whose lives they've made a difference to. You can even, get involved to help raise money for the UK's Guide Dogs charity.

World Sight Day (2nd Thursday in October)

World Sight Day is a global event that focuses on bringing attention on blindness and vision impairment. It is observed on the second Thursday of October each year.

White Cane Safety Day (October 15th)

White Cane Safety Day celebrates blind and visually impaired people's achievements in the United States on October 15 every year. It also reminds people about how the white cane is an important tool in helping the blind and the visually impaired live with greater independence.

International Day for Persons with Disabilities (December 3rd)

The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

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Above information taken from https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/, https://www.awarenessdays.com, https://www.daysoftheyear.com/, and https://businessdisabilityforum.org.uk/media-centre/disability-awareness-days/, where you can read more about the above hentioned awareness days and weeks, and find plenty more from around the world.

#Music Monday: Enrique Iglesias - Hero

Enrique Iglesias and his song "Hero" - my favourite of his. Enjoy!

#AmReading - 2018 A-Z Title #Reading Challenge

One of the groups I'm on over on Goodreads was doing the A-Z title reading challenge again this year. For those not familiar with them, here are the rules for this challenge, as posted by the person on the group who runs these kinds of things:

Read 26 books which titles begin with the letters of the alphabet.

Examples:
O - Opal
T - The Sun Dwellers or
S - The Sun Dwellers

For the letter "X or Z ", any book title with the letter X or Z in it is acceptable.

If the title contains the word THE or A it can be omitted if you want.

You can sign up anytime, and you can backdate books if you know when you finished it, as long as it was done in the year 2018.

ANY BOOK IS ACCEPTABLE, including graphic novels, novellas, etc.

I love doing this challenge, and joined in again this year. If you enjoy challenges like this, there's still time to join in, since any book you read in 2018 counts, even if you were late actually signing up. Also, there's no reason you can't play along without being on the group, or even without being on Goodreads. You can just post it on your blog or something.

Anyway, I finished at the start of this month. So, here are the books I read for it:

A ~ Artemis by Andy Weir
B ~ Bogamus In Space (Bogamus And Friends, #3) by Nathan A Jones
C ~ Catherine Dickens: Outside the Magic Circle by Heera Datta
D ~ Dragonsong (Harper Hall, #1) by Anne McCaffrey
E ~ Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery by Scott Kelly
F ~ Florence Blackwater (The Cloud Brother's Short Stories) by James Field
G ~ The Gatekeeper (Afterlife, #1.5) by Katrina Cope
H ~ The Hat by C.S. Boyack
I ~ Iron Gold (Red Rising, #4) by Pierce Brown
J ~ Jenny Pox (The Paranormals, #1) by J.L. Bryan
K ~ The Knowing (The Forgetting, #2) by Sharon Cameron
L ~ Lord of the Flies by William Golding
M ~ Mythos: A Retelling of the Myths of Ancient Greece by Stephen Fry
N ~ The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
O ~ The Operator (The Peri Reed Chronicles, #2) by Kim Harrison
P ~ The Princelings of the North (The Princelings of the East, #8) by Jemima Pett
Q ~ The Queen's Nose by Dick King-Smith
R ~ Ready Player One (Ready Player One, #1) by Ernest Cline
S ~ Snow White's Revenge (Fairy Tales Forever, #0.5) by Casey Lane
T ~ To Kill a Mockingbird (To Kill a Mockingbird, #1) by Harper Lee
U ~ Unearthed (Unearthed, #1) by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
V ~ VAMPYRIE: Origin of the Vampire by Tina Frisco
W ~ Warlord of the Forgotten Age (Legends of Windemere, #15) by Charles E. Yallowitz
X ~ Xoe: or Vampires, and Werewolves, and Demons, Oh My! (Xoe Meyers, #1) by Sara C. Roethle
Y ~ Year of the Celt: Imbolc by Rob Godfrey
Z ~Zombie Nights by Tom Lichtenberg

#FurkidFriday: Mollie The #Chinchilla's 5 Favourite Ways To Spend Her Time

Hi everyone. This is Mollie the chinchilla.

I thought I'd share with you what my favourite ways to spend my time are. I couldn't pick just three like my degu brother, Joshua, so I'm doing five instead. So, here you go:

Playing in the sand bath.Getting pets and cuddles. Only when I'm in the right mood, and on my terms, of course.Eating. My favourite food is oatmeal, but I do love other things like my chinchilla pellets and other cereals too. My favourite is when we get special treats though; I love when we get the odd raisin as a special treat.Stretching out on my cooling slab. This is especially nice on a warm day, because it helps me stay cool, but I love doing it when it's cold weather too, because it's a comfy spot to sleep in.Gnawing on our wooden toys. It's good for my teeth, and fun too!
Squeak soon,
Mollie