Jack Lewis Baillot's Blog, page 6
October 25, 2018
"Ohana means family."
Wherein Jack has returned.
At this point me going AWOL is no shock. Maybe it is somewhat expected that one day soon I'll vanish all together. Each time I attempt to stay about more something happens which causes me to get again disappear. October was no different.
What happened is not something I can talk about as it is not directly related to me and therefore not something I can just reveal. Just know it was tragic and myself and those involved need tons of prayer at this time.
I don't even know how to put into words what I'm going through right now. When I lost my dead friend I didn't think anything could hurt as much as her death. This tragedy though has opened up old wounds and left me feeling confused and drained. And I often feel I have no right to feel this way or feel sorrow, again because it is not a personal tradedy.
I've kept myself busy through this, my default fall back when I don't know how to deal with something. I have been writing as a result and feel my three year block might at last be fading. I've also been reading a ton more than I have since first moving from home. Because of writing and reading and the release of my novella I feel it's time to begin marketing once again. After all, I'm still here. Still alive. Still have things to do.
It's hard to accept sometimes how I at least forget to fully live until something terrible happens to remind me how valuable each day is. This is also something I've been trying to understand, about myself and those around me.
This rambling probably makes little sense. I guess by all this I mean to say, without trying to sound even odder, there's a lot about myself I need to learn. Because I bottle things up, put my head down, and just charge ahead I've never taken the time to work any of it out. Because of what happened it was like a blow to the chest and I'm starting to slow down and try to understand.
Writing has been helping me to understand myself better and it has been a good outlet for me these past two weeks.
Please keep my dear friends in prayer as their lives have been changed and they have to now learn how to deal and move forward with these changes.
Also I will try to make more appearances about here. So talk to you all soon.
October 1, 2018
"CHARGE!"
Wherein Jack KNOWS that they KNOW
Also my orange juice is foaming. Seriously, how is my life like this? FOAMING orange juice?!
But back to the THEY. I think there must be a note on my door, written in tiny spider script. "Psst, this one has a phobia of us." And all passersby go, "OOoooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Why else? Sure, all homes are invaded with spiders. But my roomies come up with extra craft ways to see how high they can make me jump. They have bets. So far the winner has got me propelling out of bed, still asleep, and flinging myself all the way across my room. You think ninjas aren't real? Watch me move when there's a spider in my bed.
I have three in my home at this moment. It started with one moving into my bathroom sink. I tried to wash him down the drain but he built a web all over the sink and now scrambles to safety whenever I turn the water on full blast.
Number two didn't make an appearance right away. He was trying to up the one in the sink and spun a web inside my shower. I had to battle my way through it to turn on the water spout. The next day I saw him chilling in the cup I keep on my tub for when I give Dog a bath.
Number three showed up yesterday. He now lives on the side of my bathtub, best buddies with number two in the cup. Needless to say I have this fear to going into my bathroom now. And it is only a matter of time before one hops into bed just to get all his buddies cackling over my ninja jumping.
And that is all I have right now. I have to go convince my best friend I need to buy a mini blow torch.....
Also my orange juice is foaming. Seriously, how is my life like this? FOAMING orange juice?!
But back to the THEY. I think there must be a note on my door, written in tiny spider script. "Psst, this one has a phobia of us." And all passersby go, "OOoooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Why else? Sure, all homes are invaded with spiders. But my roomies come up with extra craft ways to see how high they can make me jump. They have bets. So far the winner has got me propelling out of bed, still asleep, and flinging myself all the way across my room. You think ninjas aren't real? Watch me move when there's a spider in my bed.
I have three in my home at this moment. It started with one moving into my bathroom sink. I tried to wash him down the drain but he built a web all over the sink and now scrambles to safety whenever I turn the water on full blast.
Number two didn't make an appearance right away. He was trying to up the one in the sink and spun a web inside my shower. I had to battle my way through it to turn on the water spout. The next day I saw him chilling in the cup I keep on my tub for when I give Dog a bath.
Number three showed up yesterday. He now lives on the side of my bathtub, best buddies with number two in the cup. Needless to say I have this fear to going into my bathroom now. And it is only a matter of time before one hops into bed just to get all his buddies cackling over my ninja jumping.
And that is all I have right now. I have to go convince my best friend I need to buy a mini blow torch.....
August 24, 2018
"You're weird. I like you."
Wherein Jack accidently hit the caps button the first time she typed Wherein.
So, you know that disappointing feeling where you are waiting for something in the mail, and your mail arrives but it isn't there?
As promised, I have a Brothers-in-Arms afterward story. I wrote several to cheer myself up after the book, and if everyone wants I am willing to share all of them. And if it is even more wanted I might put them together in a collection and send them to my publisher to see about getting them in book form for all of you.
Please pardon all grammar errors. I have not had time to edit this week. Adulting and stuff got in the way.
It was 1946, New Years Day. The war was over and Japhet and Franz were living in New York with Jimmy and Danny. It should have been one of those snow covered days one finds in books. Cool, crisp air with the promise of new life in the wind. As Franz shoved his way through the freshly fallen snow it felt anything but a chance at new life.The wind and air was bitter as it bit through his coat, though he didn't mind. He was in a foul mood and would have been in a worse one if the sun were shinning and people were smiling and telling him how wonderful life was. At that moment he didn't think life was at all wonderful.Japhet had finally be released from the hospital but the way the doctor had put it, it almost made it sound like he was being released so he could die in the comfort of his own home. To make everything even worse, the rest of his and Franz's family were not yet in the States, still trying to get passage from France to New York. Even with Jimmy and Danny, Franz felt like he was on his own, and he wasn't sure what to do.Getting Japhet out of Germany had been his first step in making things right with him. Then there had been the long months in different hospitals, months of doctors and nurses fighting to save his life. Franz rarely left his side during that time, only going with Danny to Jimmy's captain to help testify in his honor and get him out of court marshaling. It had taken all of them and a letter from Sam's family to save him. He had been dishonorable discharged but it was better then being shot.Most of the time in the hospitals, Franz spent his time telling Japhet stories, reminding him who he was and of their boyhood together. He had spent hours bandaging and keeping a close eye on his hand and leg, since the doctors were not concerned over those injuries but the ones which were killing Japhet. Now it had all been for nothing. Franz didn't know what he would do if Japhet died on him after all of that.“Hallo!”Franz's head snapped up and he looked skyward, snow falling on his face as he did so. He blinked it out of his eyes and found himself looking up into a smiling face haloed by blond hair. It was a face he knew, the face of the happy girl who worked at the cafe he always passed. She had the same smile she always wore, one reaching to her gray eyes and making them glitter.“Hallo.” He couldn't imagine why she might be smiling down at him, nor had he known she lived so close to him. All he could hope was that she didn't want to carry on a conversation since his English was still limited to Hello, I'm hungry, and Jimmy, if you don't shut up I'm throwing you out the window.Instead of speaking more, the blond haired girl waved and made motions that said she wanted him to stay where he was. Confused and uncertain – hoping her sweet smile was not something she hid behind to disguise the fact she stabbed Germans in the snow – he stayed put. It was only a matter of seconds he stood there, snow falling down on his hair and shoulders, before she appeared. She wore a red scarf and a gray coat and ran up to him like they were old friends.“Judith,” she said. She held one hand out while keeping the other safely in her large coat pocket.Still uncertain, and keeping his eye on the pocket, Franz held his hand out to her and they shook as he said, “Franz.”Pulling her other hand from her pocket, she held a little black kitten out to Franz. It was more unexpected then anything he had ever had happen to him in his life and only got worse when she placed the kitten in his hand. He stared down at it as it shivered in the cold air and was about to hand it back when the girl smiled, said something, and walked back into the apartment – leaving Franz alone in the snow with a mewing kitten. He had no choice but to turn and hurry to his own apartment, repeating over and over the words she had told him so he could try and say them to Jimmy in the hopes he could translate.It was cold in the staircase but warm in the apartment. Japhet was lying on the couch, staring up at the ceiling with little acknowledgment of where he was. Franz stopped in the doorway and stared at him, wondering how much time he had left in this world. It angered him to see him this way, angered him and cut his heart in two.About that time, Jimmy emerged from his bedroom carrying a shoe. He stopped when he saw Franz, stared at him for a moment, then asked, “What is that in your hand?”Mew, went the kitten as if in answer.It was a soft sound, barely seeming to reach past Franz's hand, but Japhet turned his head at it and blinked three times, then something happened Franz hadn't seen in a long time. Clarity replaced the fog in his eyes and he slowly – moving carefully because of his left hand – sat up and leaned against the arm of the couch.“Is that a kitten?” he asked.“Um – yes.” Franz didn't have to take time to think. He walked over to the couch and set it down on Japhet's chest. “It is for you.”“You got me a kitten?” Japhet plucked it off his shirt, even when it dug its claws in, and held it up level with his eyes. He and the kitten stared at each other, then he smiled and it meowed.“Yes, I sort of did.”“Where on earth did you get a kitten?” Jimmy asked.Franz didn't see why it mattered now. The kitten made Japhet smile, so it was obviously staying no matter where it came from.“Someone – it doesn't matter. And what does-” He repeated the words the girl had told him as best he could.“I think it means Merry Christmas, but it is hard to tell with you slaughtering it like that,” Jimmy muttered.“Well,” Franz shrugged, “that-” he wasn't sure what else to stay. Christmas was a hard subject around Japhet, though his friend didn't seem to be listening. The kitten was back on his chest and he was petting its small head.“There, that's its name,” he said without looking up. “Merry.”
So, you know that disappointing feeling where you are waiting for something in the mail, and your mail arrives but it isn't there?
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As promised, I have a Brothers-in-Arms afterward story. I wrote several to cheer myself up after the book, and if everyone wants I am willing to share all of them. And if it is even more wanted I might put them together in a collection and send them to my publisher to see about getting them in book form for all of you.
Please pardon all grammar errors. I have not had time to edit this week. Adulting and stuff got in the way.
It was 1946, New Years Day. The war was over and Japhet and Franz were living in New York with Jimmy and Danny. It should have been one of those snow covered days one finds in books. Cool, crisp air with the promise of new life in the wind. As Franz shoved his way through the freshly fallen snow it felt anything but a chance at new life.The wind and air was bitter as it bit through his coat, though he didn't mind. He was in a foul mood and would have been in a worse one if the sun were shinning and people were smiling and telling him how wonderful life was. At that moment he didn't think life was at all wonderful.Japhet had finally be released from the hospital but the way the doctor had put it, it almost made it sound like he was being released so he could die in the comfort of his own home. To make everything even worse, the rest of his and Franz's family were not yet in the States, still trying to get passage from France to New York. Even with Jimmy and Danny, Franz felt like he was on his own, and he wasn't sure what to do.Getting Japhet out of Germany had been his first step in making things right with him. Then there had been the long months in different hospitals, months of doctors and nurses fighting to save his life. Franz rarely left his side during that time, only going with Danny to Jimmy's captain to help testify in his honor and get him out of court marshaling. It had taken all of them and a letter from Sam's family to save him. He had been dishonorable discharged but it was better then being shot.Most of the time in the hospitals, Franz spent his time telling Japhet stories, reminding him who he was and of their boyhood together. He had spent hours bandaging and keeping a close eye on his hand and leg, since the doctors were not concerned over those injuries but the ones which were killing Japhet. Now it had all been for nothing. Franz didn't know what he would do if Japhet died on him after all of that.“Hallo!”Franz's head snapped up and he looked skyward, snow falling on his face as he did so. He blinked it out of his eyes and found himself looking up into a smiling face haloed by blond hair. It was a face he knew, the face of the happy girl who worked at the cafe he always passed. She had the same smile she always wore, one reaching to her gray eyes and making them glitter.“Hallo.” He couldn't imagine why she might be smiling down at him, nor had he known she lived so close to him. All he could hope was that she didn't want to carry on a conversation since his English was still limited to Hello, I'm hungry, and Jimmy, if you don't shut up I'm throwing you out the window.Instead of speaking more, the blond haired girl waved and made motions that said she wanted him to stay where he was. Confused and uncertain – hoping her sweet smile was not something she hid behind to disguise the fact she stabbed Germans in the snow – he stayed put. It was only a matter of seconds he stood there, snow falling down on his hair and shoulders, before she appeared. She wore a red scarf and a gray coat and ran up to him like they were old friends.“Judith,” she said. She held one hand out while keeping the other safely in her large coat pocket.Still uncertain, and keeping his eye on the pocket, Franz held his hand out to her and they shook as he said, “Franz.”Pulling her other hand from her pocket, she held a little black kitten out to Franz. It was more unexpected then anything he had ever had happen to him in his life and only got worse when she placed the kitten in his hand. He stared down at it as it shivered in the cold air and was about to hand it back when the girl smiled, said something, and walked back into the apartment – leaving Franz alone in the snow with a mewing kitten. He had no choice but to turn and hurry to his own apartment, repeating over and over the words she had told him so he could try and say them to Jimmy in the hopes he could translate.It was cold in the staircase but warm in the apartment. Japhet was lying on the couch, staring up at the ceiling with little acknowledgment of where he was. Franz stopped in the doorway and stared at him, wondering how much time he had left in this world. It angered him to see him this way, angered him and cut his heart in two.About that time, Jimmy emerged from his bedroom carrying a shoe. He stopped when he saw Franz, stared at him for a moment, then asked, “What is that in your hand?”Mew, went the kitten as if in answer.It was a soft sound, barely seeming to reach past Franz's hand, but Japhet turned his head at it and blinked three times, then something happened Franz hadn't seen in a long time. Clarity replaced the fog in his eyes and he slowly – moving carefully because of his left hand – sat up and leaned against the arm of the couch.“Is that a kitten?” he asked.“Um – yes.” Franz didn't have to take time to think. He walked over to the couch and set it down on Japhet's chest. “It is for you.”“You got me a kitten?” Japhet plucked it off his shirt, even when it dug its claws in, and held it up level with his eyes. He and the kitten stared at each other, then he smiled and it meowed.“Yes, I sort of did.”“Where on earth did you get a kitten?” Jimmy asked.Franz didn't see why it mattered now. The kitten made Japhet smile, so it was obviously staying no matter where it came from.“Someone – it doesn't matter. And what does-” He repeated the words the girl had told him as best he could.“I think it means Merry Christmas, but it is hard to tell with you slaughtering it like that,” Jimmy muttered.“Well,” Franz shrugged, “that-” he wasn't sure what else to stay. Christmas was a hard subject around Japhet, though his friend didn't seem to be listening. The kitten was back on his chest and he was petting its small head.“There, that's its name,” he said without looking up. “Merry.”
August 21, 2018
"Please be a secret door."
Wherein Jack has plans
So. Many. Plans.
So many plans that even I don't know what they all might be yet.
Most of my plans involve releasing a series of afterward short stories following Brothers in Arms. I wrote these after I finished the book and needed to cheer myself up, and thought it was time I shared them. I will be releasing them on my blog, and if they do well consider putting them into a short afterward book.
So, I will be releasing my first one Friday!
So. Many. Plans.
So many plans that even I don't know what they all might be yet.
Most of my plans involve releasing a series of afterward short stories following Brothers in Arms. I wrote these after I finished the book and needed to cheer myself up, and thought it was time I shared them. I will be releasing them on my blog, and if they do well consider putting them into a short afterward book.
So, I will be releasing my first one Friday!
August 17, 2018
"I have a lot ot loose. Just saying."
Wherein Jack forgets how to spell her real name
Ha, did you think I was about to reveal my real name? Got ya.
I need to get some stuff done around the flat but for now I am sprawled out, listening to painful music, hoping against hope the rumor in Voltron is just the writers being twerps.
Oh yeah, dinner should have been mentioned somewhere in that line. *Ponders what to eat now that the tomatoes are gone.* WHY ARE THE TOMATOES GONE?!
Life has continued to go on in spite of changes. I am slowly getting back into the swing of writing and have written more this last month than all last year. I am going to do more marketing too, and by that I mean actual marketing, not just posting my randomness on Instagram and Facebook. Somewhere in the midst of all that I hope to squeeze in Voltron, if I can get my Netflix to work.
Most of the changes, probably all but I don't like all of them, have been good for me. The rest which I don't think have been good for me have most likely been good for me in the, "I hate adulting," sort of way.
I'm trying to be the best sport I can be about everything which has happened, but sometimes it is hard and I sulk for a good while and bake bread.
But mostly I am being a good sport.
Mostly
Ha, did you think I was about to reveal my real name? Got ya.
I need to get some stuff done around the flat but for now I am sprawled out, listening to painful music, hoping against hope the rumor in Voltron is just the writers being twerps.
Oh yeah, dinner should have been mentioned somewhere in that line. *Ponders what to eat now that the tomatoes are gone.* WHY ARE THE TOMATOES GONE?!
Life has continued to go on in spite of changes. I am slowly getting back into the swing of writing and have written more this last month than all last year. I am going to do more marketing too, and by that I mean actual marketing, not just posting my randomness on Instagram and Facebook. Somewhere in the midst of all that I hope to squeeze in Voltron, if I can get my Netflix to work.
Most of the changes, probably all but I don't like all of them, have been good for me. The rest which I don't think have been good for me have most likely been good for me in the, "I hate adulting," sort of way.
I'm trying to be the best sport I can be about everything which has happened, but sometimes it is hard and I sulk for a good while and bake bread.
But mostly I am being a good sport.
Mostly
August 8, 2018
"TADA!"
Wherein Jack is pleased
Don't get me wrong, I love the cover for Brothers-in-Arms. I think it is simple and captures the idea of the book so well.
Which is one reason I love the cover for Finding the Magic so much, and am so eager to show you all! It fits the book perfectly and I LOVE it. This cover is just so pretty and I am still in awe that my publisher made it for me.
So here you go! The brand new, shinny cover for Finding the Magic!!
Don't get me wrong, I love the cover for Brothers-in-Arms. I think it is simple and captures the idea of the book so well.
Which is one reason I love the cover for Finding the Magic so much, and am so eager to show you all! It fits the book perfectly and I LOVE it. This cover is just so pretty and I am still in awe that my publisher made it for me.
So here you go! The brand new, shinny cover for Finding the Magic!!
August 6, 2018
"You're my brother!"
Wherein Jack can't screen shot....AT ALL.
COVER REVEAL COMING WEDNESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I can get the cover to my fabulous minions.
This is a short post. I have to go figure out screen shooting.
Not gonna tell you what the quote is from. SPOILERS.
COVER REVEAL COMING WEDNESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I can get the cover to my fabulous minions.
This is a short post. I have to go figure out screen shooting.
Not gonna tell you what the quote is from. SPOILERS.
August 4, 2018
"James Bond is hititng on Lucy and she's digging it."
Wherein Jack is writing again.
War stories, because that is what Jack does. Do we know why, no, no we don't.
She is also watching the new Voltron, because SOMEONE JUST DID SOMETHING REALLY RUDE!
She is also reading more. She plans to get caught up and finish all the many books she started and got distracted on because she has so many shiny new books. Her house might be spilling over with books. Not that she cares enough to stop buying books. Dog might mind but we do not ask her.
Lifes changes have settled down finally and now she can write in earnest, read, and eat ice cream. All the important things in life. Especially ice cream.
And maybe a shower should be somewhere in that list. Because showers after cleaning all morning is kinda a good idea.
That is all. The ice cream calls.
War stories, because that is what Jack does. Do we know why, no, no we don't.
She is also watching the new Voltron, because SOMEONE JUST DID SOMETHING REALLY RUDE!
She is also reading more. She plans to get caught up and finish all the many books she started and got distracted on because she has so many shiny new books. Her house might be spilling over with books. Not that she cares enough to stop buying books. Dog might mind but we do not ask her.
Lifes changes have settled down finally and now she can write in earnest, read, and eat ice cream. All the important things in life. Especially ice cream.
And maybe a shower should be somewhere in that list. Because showers after cleaning all morning is kinda a good idea.
That is all. The ice cream calls.
July 28, 2018
"He looks funny. People throw rocks at him."
In which Jack has returned.
And I come bearing exciting news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE THE COVER FOR FINDING THE MAGIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And it is so pretty! I can't wait to share it with all of you.
And, naturally, I will be holding a cover reveal. So if anyone is interested in joining in please let me know.
And I come bearing exciting news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE THE COVER FOR FINDING THE MAGIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And it is so pretty! I can't wait to share it with all of you.
And, naturally, I will be holding a cover reveal. So if anyone is interested in joining in please let me know.
July 16, 2018
"You're embarassing me in front of wizards."
The AWOL Jack
Wherein changes sometimes stink
Mostly this time because they've left me no time to edit or blog.
Okay, correction, I have time for both but I have no internet. I am borrowing it tonight.
And it is late and I have a ton going on so I am keeping this short.
I will not be posting, unless something changes, through the rest of July. Way too much I have to get done, including editing Finding the Magic for the publishers.
But I SHALL RETURN!!!!!!!!!!!!! MAWHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wherein changes sometimes stink
Mostly this time because they've left me no time to edit or blog.
Okay, correction, I have time for both but I have no internet. I am borrowing it tonight.
And it is late and I have a ton going on so I am keeping this short.
I will not be posting, unless something changes, through the rest of July. Way too much I have to get done, including editing Finding the Magic for the publishers.
But I SHALL RETURN!!!!!!!!!!!!! MAWHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
