R.M. Ridley's Blog, page 43

Keeping Up Appearances

My brother-in-law came by the other day and while he was here took some time to do a photo secession. This was done so I could have some updated and usable pics for all the social media connections I am trying to keep, and build, for the anthology release – and hopefully further publishing credits.

I don’t especially like having my photo taken. I was a portrait photographer for a good number of years and that is the side of the camera I like to be on. Luckily, I knew the skill and talent my brother-in–law has and that it would be quick and the photo’s worth it. I wasn’t wrong.

Yesterday,  I went through an changed or added photo’s to my Facebook Page, my Facebook account for interacting with ‘fans’ (aren’t I the hopeful one), I finally added pictures to my author page on both Amazon and Goodreads as well.

I feel like I am being a bit more serious about the whole ‘ being a writer’ thing now that I have done this. It is odd the things which make us feel we are taking yourselves more seriously…. now if only I could get writing on that third novel again.

Filed under: Writing Tagged: anthology, current work in progress, novel, paranormal, photo-shoot, Photographs, publish, readers, Shades and Shadows, short story, Urban Fantasy, writer, writing, Xchyler

Fuck You Cancer

I just heard that my cousin died a few minutes ago.

She has battled cancer for far too many years to believe. She lost lung capacity due to the treatment during one battle with it and just kept soldiering on. She rose to the challenge over, and over, and won out victorious each time. Summer before last they told her she wouldn’t make it to Christmas – she marched on, head high right through that holiday. This year, however, she got a bad lung infection and lost a lot of ground. She didn’t give up. She didn’t delude herself but she didn’t throw down the flag either. Then her lung collapsed Saturday. I saw her on Sunday in the hospital. She was still joking, still with us.

Today she is not.

Filed under: MIscellaneous Tagged: battle, cancer, death, fight, greive, hospital, loss, lung, lung infection, soldier

Anticipation

Anticipation. Yup – it’s getting to me.

The release date for  ‘Shades and Shadows: A Paranormal Anthology ‘ is drawing ever nearer and I’m getting giddy. What I am really looking forward to is the reviews. I am even looking forwards to those possible reviews that don’t think my story is top notch.

Seems strange, I know, but every opinion about my writing i one that I want to hear. If there isn’t one review that even implies my story wasn’t up their alley or wasn’t good enough I will actually feel better than if every one were to say it was the best thing they ever read.

I’m not a writer to be praised. I’m just a writer.  And, to me, being a writer means learning and growing with each tale. I did learn – learned a lot – through the edit process that my story went through but maybe I can learn even more through the comments of the reviewers.

We shall see and I do mean we. I will share the reviews with you – good or bad – because this blog isn’t about how great I am but how I get through the ups and downs of my life.

And on that note – my fist of two winter cycles is gearing up quickly. This is early but all I can do is hope that it won’t be a bad year. My brain is starting it’s decent into hell dragging me down with it… digging in my heels only makes it worse. I have no choice but to go along and hope the tour doesn’t go on too long.

Filed under: Mental Health, Writing Tagged: anthology, Bi-polar, blog for mental health, Brain, crazy, cycle, Mental Health, paranormal, paranormal private investigator, publish, reviews, Shades and Shadows: A Paranormal Anthology, short story, wierd thoughts, writer, writing

Tech Upgrade Equals…

So I have ‘inherited’ my sisters old computer which is years younger than the computer I was using. This means I can actually function on-line once again. This in turn, i hope, means I can get back to doing more regular updates here.

I am a busy boy this month with the upcoming Anthology release. I have a couple guest blogs to write and I am looking forward to reading the reviews from or ARC readers (all of which, when up, I will link to here).

I would also like to take  a moment and thank all of you who follow this blog for your patience and perseverance with my erratic posting behavior.

And for any Canadian readers – Happy Thanksgiving!

Filed under: MIscellaneous

Some Kind Words

Here are some kind words written about my short story ‘The Cost of Custody’ in the the upcoming, ‘Shades & Shadows: A Paranormal Anthology’.

Check out the review of my story and others in the anthology HERE

Filed under: Writing Tagged: Alvey, anthology, Halloween, paranormal, paranormal private investigator, reviews, short stories

Just a Bit of a Tease

The cover for the anthology my short story is in was just released. I thought I’d share it with you. The anthology itself is out on All Hallows Eve and I can honestly say I enjoyed each and every story in it. This is a must own for lovers of the paranormal genre.

Filed under: Writing Tagged: Alvey, anthology, editor, edits, Great reading material, Halloween, muse, Must read, paranormal, paranormal private investigator, publish, readers, Shades and Shadows, Short sotries, Urban Fantasy, writing

The Reports of My Death…

I know all has been quiet on the blog front here – 75% of that is due to the fact that my tech has finally gotten so outdated that doing anything on-line is like fighting a bear for its honey supply – slow, painful and sticky.

I am getting a ‘new’ computer this weekend coming and hope to make more regular posts then.

A quick summary – all the edits are done for the anthology I am in, ‘Shades and Shadows: A paranormal anthology’ and it will be released quite soon.

I am making some prizes to give away during the on-line release party held by  Xychler Publishing on the 31st. Each author will be offering prizes that relate to their story during the party through contests of various kinds.

I am working closer toward getting back to writing more in the third Jonathan Alvey novel, ‘Nine of Cups’. Reading and rereading to immerse myself in the plot before allowing it to continue.

 

On the non-writing part of my life – I have begun my fall/winter cycle. It isn’t too bad yet but I have had to up my meds to compensated. For two hours on either side of taking them the ‘control’ is getting thin.

This is early for me so I admit I am not exactly thrilled. I am a bit scared it is going to be a bad episode or another long one like last year. At least this year, since I was able to drop my meds after my July cycle, I was able to up meds in response to the mounting issues.

 

I am getting new e-cig equipment – moving into the more modern world of batteries and tanks. My old batteries are already past their life expectancy and I am using my birthday money to make the change. I am looking forward to it, even though it means a change in how I use/ carry my supply. But I think it will be a good thing in the long run.

I wrote a blog entry a few weeks back but didn’t post it because I thought Xychler could use it on their site for a blog post – and I was right. It was just posted this Friday so you can go check it out HERE, and while you’re there have a look around – there are many good blog posts, and links to books available from them.

Filed under: Mental Health, MIscellaneous, Writing Tagged: anthology, author, Bi-polar, computer, cycles, E-cig, medication, Mental Health, paranormal, paranormal private investigator, party, prizes, published, publisher, Shades and Shadows, short story, Tech, upgrade, vaping, Xychler Publishing

Damned Technology

So I believed my router had died, to test this I unplugged my laptop from its power cord to direct contact with the net. This did prove that the router had died unfortunate because I unplugged the computer from the cord – the power cord and computer are no longer talking.

I am – once more- using the very last of my power to update.

I have tried all the tricks that worked in the past but so far to no avail.

I will be able to get on-line (sort of) to check for important emails but not much else, unless I can get this system to work again. I expect the worst but hope for the best.

So if there is radio silence from me – it is due to technical errors.

Filed under: MIscellaneous

Less a Post and More of a Dump

An info dump that is.

Here are a few articles on e-cigs – I hate my country trying to do what it can to stop the sales of these items and want the news out there.

Cell Damage

Addiction

Filed under: Writing

BIG UNVEIL

Here it is, for those who might care – My Web Site.

Filed under: MIscellaneous, Writing Tagged: web page, writer