Sheri Velarde's Blog, page 5
August 1, 2016
August Goals
Can you believe that it's August already? I can't! Where it this year going?
Well last month I suffered some setbacks in July on my goals due to some health issues, but I still made a lot of progress. As long as I am moving forward I figure that it is a win.
This month I of course have a lot of new goals. I may not hit them all, but at least they give me a path to follow each month.
As far as writing goals, I hope to finish and submit a horror novella. I will be cleaning up and submitting two stories for anthologies. I will also be starting a second horror novella too. I am on a horror kick for sure! I will have a new release this month with Between Love and War: Gods Behaving Badly Book 4! I will also be continuing research a novel that I hope to start in September.
I will also be working more on my jewelry, art and baby accessories. Look for some items on my store here and a shop or three to be on etsy! I am working on new and better photos this month to get things up and running.
I fell a little behind on my reading last month, only about three books. So I need to pick it up this month. I have read 30 books so far this year and hope to read at least 6 this month. Right now I am reading Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki by Haruki Myrakani and as soon as I finish it I will be devouring the new Harry Potter book, so there's two! I also have The Bell Watch by a local Albuquerque author F.P. Calabretta on my to read list this month. Got to support local authors!
Per usual I will be working on health goals. Trying to get back in shape. I hope to work out 5 days a week and do yoga at least 3 days a week. I also need to meditate as often as I can. I need to get my body back in harmony with itself, which is always a challenge. I will also being sure to keep my diet very clean this month to allow my body a chance to heal itself. I already eat pretty well, but there is always room for improvement.
A busy month ahead, but I wouldn't have it any other way! What about you my dear readers? What are your goals for this month? List them in the comments and we can cheer each other on!
Well last month I suffered some setbacks in July on my goals due to some health issues, but I still made a lot of progress. As long as I am moving forward I figure that it is a win.
This month I of course have a lot of new goals. I may not hit them all, but at least they give me a path to follow each month.
As far as writing goals, I hope to finish and submit a horror novella. I will be cleaning up and submitting two stories for anthologies. I will also be starting a second horror novella too. I am on a horror kick for sure! I will have a new release this month with Between Love and War: Gods Behaving Badly Book 4! I will also be continuing research a novel that I hope to start in September.
I will also be working more on my jewelry, art and baby accessories. Look for some items on my store here and a shop or three to be on etsy! I am working on new and better photos this month to get things up and running.
I fell a little behind on my reading last month, only about three books. So I need to pick it up this month. I have read 30 books so far this year and hope to read at least 6 this month. Right now I am reading Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki by Haruki Myrakani and as soon as I finish it I will be devouring the new Harry Potter book, so there's two! I also have The Bell Watch by a local Albuquerque author F.P. Calabretta on my to read list this month. Got to support local authors!
Per usual I will be working on health goals. Trying to get back in shape. I hope to work out 5 days a week and do yoga at least 3 days a week. I also need to meditate as often as I can. I need to get my body back in harmony with itself, which is always a challenge. I will also being sure to keep my diet very clean this month to allow my body a chance to heal itself. I already eat pretty well, but there is always room for improvement.
A busy month ahead, but I wouldn't have it any other way! What about you my dear readers? What are your goals for this month? List them in the comments and we can cheer each other on!
July 29, 2016
Guess who is Starting a Vlog...
So as I am thinking about how I want to revamp this blog, I thought hey why not a vlog? I will be posting weekly here on on YouTube short videos that deal with struggles that I personally have, but that I think a lot of others share. I am getting back to talking about self esteem, body issues, body dismorphia and more. I am going to talk make-up, fashion, and other things that can help boost me, and others, when you are down. So without further ado, here is my very first vlog. I have no idea what I am doing, but hopefully they will get better!
July 27, 2016
Writer Wednesday: Be Authentic to You
I was recently thinking about the best advice that I could give new authors out there. What is my best advice? To be true to yourself. Be authentic to your personal style and voice. Write what you want to write, not what someone else tells you or what you think the market wants. Trends are always changing, you will forever be chasing them and will likely never catch them, so don't write for what is trendy right now.
So what do you want to write? Romance? Vampires? Been told they are overdone? So what, your vampire story has not been told yet. You have a unique voice and a unique story to tell, so tell it. Who knows, vampires might be in again by the time you finish your story.
Basically don't let the current market, trends, or anyone in the publishing business or not, tell you what you should be writing. Write what you want to write and what you want to read. It truly is as simple as that.
So what do you want to write? Romance? Vampires? Been told they are overdone? So what, your vampire story has not been told yet. You have a unique voice and a unique story to tell, so tell it. Who knows, vampires might be in again by the time you finish your story.
Basically don't let the current market, trends, or anyone in the publishing business or not, tell you what you should be writing. Write what you want to write and what you want to read. It truly is as simple as that.
July 26, 2016
Tuesday Teaser: Welcome to Oceanside Inn
It may be beach season, but I am dreaming of a winter beach scene lately. Well as it so happens, I may have written a winter beachy story... snow and all. (Ah snow, how I am missing you...) Welcome to Oceanside Inn is a short and fun read with paranormal romance, a touch of mystery and a hint of horror all rolled into one. Only 1.49 and free on Kindle Unlimited. It makes a great read for a hot summer day!
Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EEIFHJW
Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EEIFHJW
July 25, 2016
Cleaning House is Sometimes Needed for Sanity!
Recently I have been cleaning house so to speak, getting rid of things I no longer need and more importantly getting rid of negativity in my life, or at least as much as I can. Yes I am physically cleaning my house and throwing away or donating things that are cluttering up my life. I have more to go, but I am off to a good start.
But my real focus has been on people, especially in the realm of social media, that are such my energy and who are negative. I started first by deleting all I could from goodreads and shutting down my user profile. It just reached a point on that site where all I saw was negative, not even talking about reviews of my books, but if I looked for a review of a book I was thinking about buying and wow, reviews should not be personal, they should be about the work and since I highly doubt most people knew the authors personally I could just not get over how mean they were.
Second I have been cleaning up my Facebook page. I have deleted over 400 "friends" that were either negative, who only talked to me when they wanted something, or who I really didn't have any clue who they were. If we have never interacted, well then we probably aren't friends. I have a feeling even more people are going to be getting cut in the near future. I still have my author page and that is where I will be interacting the most with readers. My personal page is going to go back to being just that, personal.
I am also going to start revamping this blog again, likely going back towards how it began, a blog about a gal just going through life, a gal who happens to write and do art. I am done listening to people who want to tell me how to write, what to write, how to live. I am just going to do me and try to be more positive in life. The world can do with a little more positive don't you think?
But my real focus has been on people, especially in the realm of social media, that are such my energy and who are negative. I started first by deleting all I could from goodreads and shutting down my user profile. It just reached a point on that site where all I saw was negative, not even talking about reviews of my books, but if I looked for a review of a book I was thinking about buying and wow, reviews should not be personal, they should be about the work and since I highly doubt most people knew the authors personally I could just not get over how mean they were.
Second I have been cleaning up my Facebook page. I have deleted over 400 "friends" that were either negative, who only talked to me when they wanted something, or who I really didn't have any clue who they were. If we have never interacted, well then we probably aren't friends. I have a feeling even more people are going to be getting cut in the near future. I still have my author page and that is where I will be interacting the most with readers. My personal page is going to go back to being just that, personal.
I am also going to start revamping this blog again, likely going back towards how it began, a blog about a gal just going through life, a gal who happens to write and do art. I am done listening to people who want to tell me how to write, what to write, how to live. I am just going to do me and try to be more positive in life. The world can do with a little more positive don't you think?
July 22, 2016
Supporting Local Authors and Artists
As an author and artist, I know the importance of going out and supporting the local talent wherever you live. Well this past weekend I actually did that. (Yes, I actually went outside my home cave and socialized a tad bit, though I paid for it the next day being virtually useless with fatigue. Still worth it!) I'm excited to read, color and enjoy my way through all the goods that I got from New Mexico artists and authors. See I really do practice what I preach. And I issue a challenge to all of my readers this coming weekend, go out into your community and buy just one item local. Buy something from a local author, a local artist, a local jeweler, whatever. Just go out out and support the creativity in your community! Now go forth and shop!
July 21, 2016
Dogs... Woman's Best Friends
Now I like to think of myself as an author, artist and all around creative person, but in fact what I really am is a dog bed. As you know I have some health issues and my dogs seem to want to take care of me, by laying on me all the time. Lol
I know that dogs are supposed to be man's best friend, but let me tell you, Eowyn and Charlie are this woman's best friends!
I know that dogs are supposed to be man's best friend, but let me tell you, Eowyn and Charlie are this woman's best friends!
July 20, 2016
Wednesday Webcomic: Adventures of Eowyn and Charlie
It's time for another episode of my Wednesday Webcomic: The Adventures of Eowyn and Charlie. My hands were a little bad this week, but I still got the artwork done! Hope you enjoy as Eowyn learns that having a BIG little brother has it's advantages!
July 19, 2016
Tuesday Teaser: Cover Reveal for Between Love and War
Today I thought that I would tease you with the cover for Between Love and War: Gods Behaving Badly Book 4! Ares is back and ready to reclaim his lost love Mania, but she isn't the same woman he once knew. Does he even fit in her life anymore? Out August 15th. Preorder link coming soon!
July 18, 2016
Heat and MS Fatigue Knocking Me on My Butt
Summer is officially here in New Mexico with a vengeance. We have hit a stretch where the temps are right around 100 degrees and my body is not liking it. It is the time of year where I am going to truly become a hermit, as going outside is unbearable. Every summer I seem to have a ms relapse, heat being one of the main triggers. Now I keep my house as cool as possible, I have added more fans to help the air conditioner, but the heat still seems to seep in and makes me feel completely blah.
Sometimes I have to explain ms to people and ms fatigue. The kind of fatigue that I am experiencing is so much more than being tired. It is the kind of fatigue that getting out of bed makes me exhausted, its so much more than simply being tired from not getting enough sleep. Brain fog tends to bother me when heat and fatigue kick up. I use my brain for writing obviously, so writing and working tend to be really difficult at times like this. Writing is so much a part of who I am that when I can't write I deal with severe self-esteem issues. Things just tend to spiral out of control in summer. I just want people to know that I am not lazy, that I am not a flake, I am just dealing with bad health right now.
Summer literally knocks me on my butt just about every year. Still, I am trying to make the best of a bad situation. I have cut back some of my self imposed writing deadlines and pressure. I am writing when I can, but trying not to beat myself up when I have a super bad day. I am committing to reading a lot more this summer, something that will still make me a better writer, but that does not make my fatigue worse. I am doing what I can when I can. And I am just not so patiently waiting for fall. Even temps in the lower 90s sounds good right about now, but when we hit 70?! That is what I am dreaming of!
Sometimes I have to explain ms to people and ms fatigue. The kind of fatigue that I am experiencing is so much more than being tired. It is the kind of fatigue that getting out of bed makes me exhausted, its so much more than simply being tired from not getting enough sleep. Brain fog tends to bother me when heat and fatigue kick up. I use my brain for writing obviously, so writing and working tend to be really difficult at times like this. Writing is so much a part of who I am that when I can't write I deal with severe self-esteem issues. Things just tend to spiral out of control in summer. I just want people to know that I am not lazy, that I am not a flake, I am just dealing with bad health right now.
Summer literally knocks me on my butt just about every year. Still, I am trying to make the best of a bad situation. I have cut back some of my self imposed writing deadlines and pressure. I am writing when I can, but trying not to beat myself up when I have a super bad day. I am committing to reading a lot more this summer, something that will still make me a better writer, but that does not make my fatigue worse. I am doing what I can when I can. And I am just not so patiently waiting for fall. Even temps in the lower 90s sounds good right about now, but when we hit 70?! That is what I am dreaming of!
