S.J. Pajonas's Blog, page 55
January 26, 2020
Sunday Update – January 26, 2020
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.
This week started off as a school-free day on Monday and then just got busier and busier after that.
Highlights include the chiropractor on Tuesday when I decided to treat myself to a massage NEXT time I’m there. I’m looking forward to that! A middle school band concert on Wednesday after going to tennis. That was a busy day. Thursday we had doggy day care and pottery. Friday was all out of whack as I got my oldest out of school early to get her last filling adjusted at the dentist and then off to LensCrafters to pick up her new glasses. And then we’ve been home most of the weekend.
I’m continuing to work on Flyght Book 6 and I crossed 20k written yesterday. Progress is being made and that’s all I care about! I’m going to start editing Book 5 this week, one chapter a day, since I have feedback from all of my first readers now. That should help me stay ahead of the game, and editing always inspires me to write more, so I’m hoping that will keep me in the mood of writing on Book 6.
What else happened this week?
Lulu continues to be a joy.
We did burrito night on Friday, and though it was a lot of work, it was so tasty!
And yes! Crossed over 20k! Woo! Every extra 10k helps get me to the end.
Have a great week everyone!
Viber
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January 24, 2020
Which Do You Prefer: Series Or Standalones?
It’s time for our first discussion post of 2020! And no, this is not a trick question. Lol. In this case, it’s totally fine to answer BOTH! But there are plenty of reasons why people choose one over the other.
Why Series?
I do really love series. I love reading them AND writing them. There’s something especially wonderful about seeing a series pan out over several books, watching the characters grow and the landscape of the world change over time. If the author is talented, they set up plot points in earlier books that pan out in later books, or they leave Easter Eggs along the way for readers to find and enjoy. There’s that exciting moment when you’ve invested a ton of time in story as a reader and you come away at the end happy and content. Sigh. For me, there’s nothing better.
Series Pros
You get to stay with the characters and world for a long time.
You know that you enjoy and like the author’s style of storytelling.
You’re guaranteed to keep you reading, if you love it.
Series Cons
They’re a commitment of time, energy, and money.
If the series bombs in the middle or at the end, you’re left feeling unhappy or unsatisfied.
If there’s a long time between books, you can easily forget important details.
Favorite Series
Some of my favorite series include: Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, The Tales of the Otori, Red Rising, Lock In, and The Expanse.
Why Standalones?
I totally understand why authors write standalone books. There’s something about a story that begins and ends between a front and back cover. It’s satisfying and finite, no commitments past what’s on the page. I’ve written only two standalone books, but I do want to write more (and probably will in the late ’20s). Sometimes an idea for a plot can fit in your hand, and that’s what you want when you sit down to read or write.
Standalone Pros
You don’t have to hold a lot of details in your head as you work your way through multiple books.
The story is told once and done.
They’re great for a day or two commitment.
Standalone Cons
When the story is over, if you loved it, there’s no more. Bummer.
I literally can’t think of any other cons.
Favorite Standalones
Some of my favorite standalone novels include: Memoirs of a Geisha, The Martian, The Wind-up Bird Chronicle, Sputnik Sweetheart, Recursion, and Redshirts.
So, tell me what you love! Series or standalones or both, and why?
Viber
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January 19, 2020
Sunday Update – January 19, 2020
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.
My biggest news for the week is that I’m now 44 years old! My birthday was yesterday, and despite the weather not cooperating and delivering snow, we had a good day. My husband ran interference on the puppy so I could have a puppy-less day (Really, caring for Lulu is a full-time job right now and it’s exhausting). We managed to make it out to dinner even since all the snow plows were out and keeping the roads drivable.
Other news for the week…
Lulu went to a doggy day care for two days in a row! I got her in on Wednesday for a 2-hour temperament evaluation. She did great, even if she was shy and wasn’t sure what she should be doing. I brought her back in on Thursday while I was at pottery class, and she warmed up to the environment. She played more and had more fun.
This was an important step in our dog-owning journey. I spent a lot of time looking into day care/boarding/grooming places and this was my top choice. I want a place she’ll be comfortable in, that’s flexible enough to take her whenever, and she can be boarded there when we go on vacation. Plus, we’re having our bathroom remodeled soon, and I want to be able to take her there for when we’re going through demolition and having other very noisy work done. She can go play with the puppies, and I can go to Panera. Win win! I’m glad it worked out for her, and I hope it continues to go well. We’re still in the early initial stages of this.
My husband was also gone most of this week, so we basically did all we could to get by without him. I didn’t sleep much so I’ve been catching up this weekend.
What else happened this week?
Lulu missed my husband when he was away so she curled up in his spot on the couch.
Someone is REALLY tired after doggy day care.
I cut up a bunch of citrus fruit and dehydrated them for water.
I test drove a Tesla on Friday! I’m shopping to get a new car in 2021-ish and I want to consider electric vehicles too. I really enjoyed my driving experience in the Tesla, but there are lots of vehicles to consider!
I crossed the 10k mark on Flyght Book 6 and kept going.
Lulu loves her donut toys and they make good pillows too.
I’m finally switching over to loose tea with my favorite morning tea, Stash’s Super Irish Breakfast. I got a few extra teas to go with it.
And here I am at 44 years old. I have a ways to go to recover from the broken leg but I’m making good progress!
Have a great week everyone!
Viber
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January 16, 2020
Beat the January Blues Sci-fi Reads – Sci-fi Promo
I’m back today with another promotion you might be interested in! This one has lots of sci-fi and sci-fi romance books you can add to your collection. Remember that if you set a reading goal for the year, this is a great way to load up on books to read in 2020!
Check out the Beat the January Blues Sci-fi Reads Promo!
I hope you find something here to read and enjoy!
Viber
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January 15, 2020
Free and 99c Romance Sale – Romance Promo
Hey everyone! Hope your January is going well! Did you set a reading goal for 2020? If so, I have lots of great books for you to check out in this Free and 99¢ Romance Sale. I actually downloaded a few of these for myself. There are so many great books to choose from! Sale runs through the 21st.
Check out the Free and 99c Romance Sale!
I hope you find something here to read and enjoy!
Viber
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January 12, 2020
Sunday Update – January 12, 2020
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.
This week went by in a blur, yet my body felt every moment of it. It was a long week of taking care of me, the kids, and the dog with my husband back at work full-time after the holidays. I burned over 2500 calories every single day between life and walking Lulu. It was super exhausting but good for me!
On Monday, I got a lot of work done with the kids back in school. Tuesday was a busy day with the chiropractor in the morning and a Girl Scouts meeting in the evening. I was exhausted but I decided to go along to the meeting since it was at the library and get some writing done there.
Wednesday, it was back to tennis!
Thursday was the day of the great Tea Incident. I spilled an entire cup of hot tea all over me and the couch. I screamed and scared Lulu, and then had to comfort her while I waited for my child to return home from school so I could shower. Then there was tutoring and piano lessons while the couch cushion covers got washed. I was also exhausted by the end of this day and just DONE.
Friday, everything hurt and I went to bed early after a long day of walking, grocery shopping, and cleaning, then dropping my kid off for a party at 8pm.
Saturday, I felt much better after sleeping in and taking the morning off from walking Lulu. I got work done during the day on SFR Station. And then I took Lulu for a long afternoon walk because it was in the 60s outside! So nice! I wore a short sleeve shirt and everything. Ahhhhh.
I expect more of the same today. I plan to write more on Flyght 6 (I’m almost to 10k!) and take the dog for another walk.
Yay! It’s NEW WALKING SHOES time! Go these pretty things this week and already have walked a total of 25 miles in them. Yep. I did a lot of walking this week.
Lulu loves to play fetch and tug-of-war!
We went into the park this week and she wanted nothing more than to make friends with the geese.
Lulu loves a good late morning nap.
Working at the library.
I made dehydrated apple rings for Lulu snacks. She loves these and they are simple and easy to make.
Finally, this was me after my morning walk this morning. The sun is out and it’s still in the 60s outside. IN JANUARY. I love it, of course. I enjoyed my second cup of tea of the day on the deck.
Viber
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January 10, 2020
What I’m Watching – The Mandalorian, Jack Ryan, and Atypical
We got a Fire Stick for Christmas and I love it! I just turn on the TV and it’s there. Compared to booting up the PlayStation and waiting for updates and navigating to the streaming apps, the Fire Stick is a piece of cake. So we’ve been watching shows each night before bed around here and getting caught up on TV. For 2020, I’m going to be talking more about the things I’m doing to stay creative and watching TV is one of them! Yes, it’s not just mindless entertainment. :)
First up is The Mandalorian (Disney+ Subscription). We waited over a month to get Disney+ so that we could binge-watch all the Mandalorian episodes in a few days. And let me tell you, this was a HARD and DIFFICULT wait. Because literally everyone on Facebook talked about the show and how much they loved it for weeks. I wasn’t sure what to think by the time we finally got into the show! But I did really enjoy it. It had both humor and heart. The episode concept of having an over-arching plot line while still having side adventures really speaks to me as a writer. Some of the side adventures were better than others but that’s to be expected. This is a great addition to the Star Wars universe!
I really loved Baby Yoda (of course) and the fact that he was a puppet and not CGI. It made him feel more real. Gina Carano as Cara Dune really kicked ass. I loved her from the get-go. I also really loved the Mandalorian Way and this mythos surrounding their lifestyle. All around, a great show and I’m looking forward to more!
Jack Ryan (Amazon Video) Season 2 was a breath of fresh air. Though I found the story line quite predictable and kept making the connections quicker than the characters on screen, I was happy to be somewhere OTHER than the Middle East. Venezuela was an exciting backdrop for political intrigue. It was nice to see actors and actresses from Netflix’s Narcos, too! There are so many talented Latin American actors out there, and it’s a shame we in North America don’t get to see them as often. We finished this one pretty quickly! And I think they have a solid setup for the next season.
During my lunch hour I’ve been watching a show that came recommended to me by my aunt and cousin, Atypical (Netflix Subscription). I have been really enjoying this one! There are moments when I’m near tears and then I’m laughing at something that I shouldn’t be laughing at. Sam, the main protagonist, is an 18-year old with autism who loves penguins and Antarctica. He’s mainstreamed at his public school and gets by with the help of his younger sister, Casey. The first season centers around him wanting to get a girlfriend and how that journey changes him. This show has great side characters too. I loved the sister Casey especially. She ribs on Sam fiercely but always in a way that you can tell she loves him. Unfortunately, I’m not a Jennifer Jason Leigh fan and her character’s actions in the first season didn’t endear her any more to me. Still, this show is well-acted and sweet and so easy to get sucked into.
I literally laughed till I cried when I saw the scene in this gif. Omg. The best.
So, that’s what I’ve been watching lately!
What have you been watching? Tell me so I can fill up my queue!
Viber
The post What I’m Watching – The Mandalorian, Jack Ryan, and Atypical appeared first on S. J. Pajonas.
January 5, 2020
Sunday Update – January 5, 2020
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.
Woo! First week of 2020 complete! Half this week was still holiday and the rest was back to business.
On Monday, we went as a family to our local plumbing, kitchen and bath showroom because SURPRISE! We’re getting our master bathroom renovated later this month. I’m excited for it because the bathroom is very old and we hate it. On the other hand, I’m dreading it. Home improvements put a real damper on my creativity. Our kitchen renovation several years ago nearly broke me. But I’m hoping a bathroom won’t be that bad. As long as I can convince the kids to keep the other bathroom clean.
Tuesday was New Year’s Eve. We didn’t do much at home but we went out for crab for dinner. My husband and I stayed up until midnight, toasted each other with some champagne, and then promptly went to bed. Lol.
Wednesday, I was exhausted but I took the dog for a walk and went for my own walk after. I got a lot of admin work done and out of the way but didn’t do any writing.
Thursday, everyone went back to work and to school! I walked in both the morning and afternoon with the dog, wrote some words, and just tried to stay awake. I hadn’t been feeling well for about two weeks, so every day was exhausting as I fought off a cold. But on Thursday, a little thing arrived in the mail for me that I had purchased after seeing a FB ad and then doing research. I bought a CopperZap. It’s this 100% copper tool that you can use in your nose to kill bacteria and viruses that cause colds and sinus infections. You all know that I suffer from sinus infections almost every winter so this tool really intrigued me. I used it on my nose on Thursday and I felt better within 10 minutes! My nose stopped itching and running, and I stopped sneezing constantly. Even though I was run down and tired from fighting the cold, I felt a lot better. So, that’s something! Now I can use it whenever I get that feeling that I might be getting sick.
Friday was a busy day. LOST FLYGHT published in the morning! And I had a very emotional moment when a stranger posted about my book in a readers’ group on Facebook and gushed about the whole series. That’s never happened to me before! I took Lulu for a walk in the morning, got my hair cut, did grocery shopping, came home to be with the dog for a bit, then I had to leave her again to take my oldest kid to the eye doctor after school. Thankfully my husband came home early that day.
Yesterday, I took a rest day and only walked the dog once. After, though, I was so tired and shaky that I had to lie down. We had an awesome mussels marinara dinner, and I managed to write 1000 words on Flyght Book 6.
Today, I tried to take it easy and not work too much. I had a long walk in the morning, both with and without the dog, worked on SFR Station, and helped put away and clean up from Christmas. The tree is now out to the curb for pickup!
Progress is slow on Flyght Book 6, mainly because of the holidays. But tomorrow I write in earnest! I’ve started the story out, I have the first ten chapters outlined, and I’m coming up with more ideas as my days progress.
What else happened this week?
Bathroom shopping is a lot of fun. This is the vanity I’ve chosen for the bathroom, though not necessarily in this color.
I love hanging out with this dog.
I actually caught Lulu sleeping like this with her head on the floor.
I love it when she sleeps next to me on the couch.
Here she is keeping my husband company today!
New Year’s means traditional Japanese food. Soba noodles on New Year’s Eve and then toasted mochi on New Year’s Day.
Same ship, different day.
I got myself an air fryer and I plan to use it a lot in 2020. We’ve already made fries, mozzarella sticks, and brussels sprouts in it.
And finally the publishing of LOST FLYGHT deserved a special meal. I got a corn muffin from Whole Foods and ate it with eggs and a veggie sausage. A delicious way to celebrate!
Have a great week everyone!
Viber
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January 3, 2020
LOST FLYGHT, Book 4 Of The Flyght Series, Is Now Available!
Let’s start off 2020 with a new release! LOST FLYGHT, the fourth book of the Flyght Series, is now available for purchase! If you pre-ordered it, it should be on your ebook readers already. There will not be a paperback available for this book.
I had been looking forward to writing the events in this book for over a year! It was finally time to deal with Cressida and to show off another planet in the Duo Systems. Plus, more intrigue about Vivian’s brother. It’s a really thrilling book!
I really hope you enjoy it. Have a great weekend reading, everyone!
A frustrated captain. A starship on the fritz. Can she salvage her smuggling trade before jealous rivals knock her out of the galaxy?
Vivian Kawabata feels like her wings have been clipped. With her broken ship in the repair yard, and her crew begging her to take a break, she agrees to a private villa getaway with the chance to seduce her new hot medic. But her beach vacation becomes a stressful battleground when an ex’s former consort swoops in with a destructive agenda.
With her family’s farm at stake, the only way to outmaneuver the cutthroat may be by getting back to her roots… and extraordinary plants. But even if she digs up the dirt she needs, she still has to deal with in-laws, shady shopkeepers, and a shocking discovery aboard her ship.
Can Vivian get her vessel and her men aloft, or will her operation crash and burn?
LOST FLYGHT is the fourth book in the Flyght Series of sci-fi reverse harem romance. If you like seductive space operas, warp-speed world-building, and high-octane twists and turns, then you’ll love S. J. Pajonas’s star-struck tale.
Note: This is a slow-burn romance series!
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Have questions about buying direct?
Enjoy LOST FLYGHT! I’ll see you around here next week!
Viber
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January 2, 2020
January 2020 Goals
Woo! It’s 2020, and that means it’s time to set goals for January and get this year started on the right foot.
What Happened With December’s Goals?
Revise Flyght Book 5 and send to first readers. Done! I’ve already received feedback from one reader and I’m waiting on the other two now. :)
Start outlining Flyght Book 6. I did start outlining this book and even wrote the first 500 words on the project before the holidays sucked all my energy away. I’ll be starting on this today.
Handle all of the end of the year/new year blog posts. Done!
Keep up with SFR Station. I’m keeping up with this no problem.
Walk. I have been walking. Not as much as I’d like, but hopefully that’ll change now in 2020.
Reading and knitting. I barely knit at all in December. :(
Goals For January
Write Flyght Book 6. I don’t plan on finishing the book this month. I have the deadline set to the end of February and I hope to meet that! This is it. The last book in the series. I’m excited to get it written!
Close out my Activity Rings every day on my Apple Watch. Move, Exercise, and Stand. I can probably do Move and Exercise every day. Stand? I’m having trouble understanding what the watch wants from me. Is it that I should get up once an hour? Or stand for longer periods? Gotta figure that out.
Start some upper body strength. I have these videos I can do. I should get to them this month!
Reading and knitting. I have just finished an audiobook and an ebook! So it’s a clean slate for me. Please, I need to finish this shawl this month or I’m gonna burn it to the ground.
Watch at least one Masterclass. I’m not sure which I’ll watch first! But we’ll see which one I chose at the month’s end.
Have a great January everyone!
Viber
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