12 Quotes from Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone

When we were getting ready to release Bryony back in 2011, my daughter Sarah (who did a lot of the marketing for me) suggested I pull thirty teaser quotes from the book that she could post on Facebook, one each day.

We did the same for the second book, Visage, which is also part of the BryonySeries.

But for some reason, I never did the same for another book.

So now I am catching up.

Here is the synopsis and chapter headings for Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone, followed by by twelve quotes, one from each chapter.

Enjoy!

A tombstone with a Viking helmet engraving vanishes. Mysterious brown-outs plague a seacoast village. Supernatural super sleuth Cornell Dyer is certain the historical society leader knows more than he is telling. Will Cornell learn the secrets and stop the curse?

Prologue

They quietly crept over the side of the ship. Any noise would alarm the night watchman. The water felt like ice, but it was a short swim to shore...and to the skull-shaped cave.

Chapter 1: Miss Evans is Missing

These words were stamped on his shirt: If you can read this, you are standing near greatness.

Chapter 2: He Said, She Said

The cat jumped onto Donald B. Pemberton's lap. He stroked its fur.

"There, there, Faith." He looked at Cornell. "Faith is afraid of nothing, except ghosts. She doesn't even like when people talk about ghosts. That is how afraid she is. More cake?"

Chapter: 3: Step into the Light

Pastor Fletcher Cooke narrowed his eyes. "We don't approve of the devil's ways here."

Cornell grabbed another chip and said, "That is an interesting statement. You live in a town with  evil spirits, Viking ghosts, and missing tombstones."

Chapter 4:A Kitty Cat Blabbed All That

 "You!" Cornell cried. "Why are you here?"

"I might ask you the same question," Donald B. Pemberton said. "I am a historian. The lighthouse is historical. Cape Crag history is my business. But you, Professor, are a busybody."

Chapter 5:A Chip off the Old Block

Donald B. Pemberton was standing on a ladder, shelving historical books in the dark with his clawed right hand when Cornell Dyer and his mighty ghost detector burst through the front door of the Cape Crag Historical Society.

Chapter 6: Gruff and Bumpy

One again, Donald B. Pemberton picked up the matches on the table and lit the thick center candle, as striped orange, yellow, and black as the historian's cat, as the lights had still not turned back on.

The only difference was that, this time, Faith stayed downstairs. Not even a saucer of milk could persuade Faith to join the men as they talked.

Chapter 7:Witch at the Window

 "Please do not bother me again," Cornell said. "It's rude to talk to world famous supernatural sleuths when they're busy with important research."

Chapter 8: The Seance

 “I dreamt I was eating breakfast,” Lucille DuBois said, “and reading the back of the cereal box.”

 Cornell jumped to his feet. “That’s it!”

Chapter 9: Madam, it's an Anagram

 “Professor, what are you doing?” she asked.

  “Finding Viking treasure,” Cornell said. “What’s for breakfast?”

Chapter 10: Sticks and Stones

 Cornell flipped a switch on the Viking Treasure Locator. A huge beam of light poured out.

 "Well, that's handy," Pastor Fletcher Cooke said. "The Viking Treasure Locator is also a flashlight."

 "I knew you'd need a light to see," Cornell said. "Hurry and bring up the treasure."

Epilogue

"This calls for a celebration dinner," Cornell said. "Will you join me tonight?"

 "I will bring pot roast," Lucille DuBois said.

 "I will bring dark chocolate cake with milk chocolate frosting," Donald B. Pemberton said. "And Faith, because Faith likes pot roast." 

Art of the BryonySeries: Sue Midlock

An exhibit of BryonySeries-related art by four of the artists who created book covers and interior illustrations for books in the BryonySeries art is currently on display at the Book and Bean Cafe in Joliet through the month of October.

This week, I'm sharing photos from exhibit's installation on Sept. 3. All four artists are taking commissions.

Today's featured artist is Sue (Sue Mydliak) Midlock. Sue created the cover and interior art for Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone, the upcoming Cornell Dyer and the Necklace of Forgetfulness, and the covers for the upcoming, five-volume novel Before the Blood, which is a prequel to the BryonySeries trilogy.

 Sue Midlock is a local author, illustrator, and photographer. She writes and illustrates her own books and creates book covers and illustrations for other authors. Sue has also exhibited her work at various galleries in Illinois.

Contact her at suemydliak@yahoo.com.

To view photos of Sue's exhibit, visit https://www.facebook.com/BryonySeries/

To view more photos of Sue's work, visit fineartamerica.com/profiles/sue-midlock.html.

To view the Cornell Dyer book cover, visit www.bryonyseries.com.

Photo of Sue Midlock by Timothy Baran

Unexpected Event, Sold Five

On Saturday, my youngest three adult children and I worked our church's annual spaghetti dinner.

It's a bit of an unusual fundraiser as fundraisers go: we attract mostly customers who have attended over the last few decades and we raffle off mostly afghans made by one amazing woman in the parish.

This year, to add something different to table, Rebekah suggested I raffle off a few books. Recalling the one visiting priest's dismay that I write vampire literature, I left the trilogy at home and brought some of the cookbooks and children's books.

I gave away a few of each (winners could use either books or afghans; yes, I was thrilled when books were chosen), but that wasn't all.

One woman insisted on paying for one Bertrand and the Lucky Clover and one Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from Bryony, because she had to leave and she didn't want to risk not having her name called.

A friend of hers loves mice, she said, and she really wanted the first book for her. She had also flipped through the second book and found a couple recipes she wanted to try. I tried giving the books to her since we were raffling them off anyway, but she insisted on paying for them. I didn't feel comfortable arguing with her at that point (at the raffle table with people milling around), so I sold them.

The other three sales were made to a former member of the church who attends the dinner once a year. Her first question, when she saw the books, was, "Where's 'Bryony?'" 

I explained why I didn't bring any copies. She then proceeded to put in an order for the Bryony/Visage/Staked! trilogy (she wrote her address on a napkin and went looking for me to be sure I had it) and the proceeded to win a copy of the cookbook and one of Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone. 

Essentially she wound up with five books for the price of three, not a bad deal.

Probably the sweetest moment of the night was toward the end. One of the customers was talking to me, and her little girl kept alternating between flipping through her copy of Bertrand and the Lucky Clover and clutching the book to her heart.

Made my night, that's for sure.

Oh, and I left the event with an idea for the next Bertrand the Mouse adventure. I took photos and even wrote it yesterday. And our small church is a few dollars richer and a few hugs closer. Can it get better than that?

Have a great Monday readers, writers, and vampire fans! :)

Benefit No. 2 of Giving Away a Book You've Written

This past fall, I participated in three author fairs and WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party.

At each, I set out a vampire mug to hold raffle tickets. I gave away baskets of BryonySeries products and a number of copies of the 2012 holiday edition of Visage, the second book in the series.

I finished calling the last of the winners on Sunday afternoon, and all had one trait in common.

They were surprised and thrilled to have won.

Now, yes, I know authors give books away as a form of marketing, but the response from the giveaways this fall went beyond that. Let me also add I gave away my proof copies of Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone (while supplies lasted) to any child who wandered past my table, and the reactions from those children were the same.

Joy.

Joy at being chosen; joy at unexpectedly receiving something unbidden. And joy on my part for having prompted it.

It's out of my control whether anyone will read those words (words that took many happy, laborious hours stringing together), and it's out of my control whether anyone will enjoy, much less savor, those words

But the way the children's faces lit up when I said, "Would you like a book?" Or the excitement in people's voices when I said, "You've won a book (or raffle basket)."

Priceless, priceless.

Bertrand (and I) Go to Art Camp

On July 17, Bertrand the Mouse and I were the special guests at an art camp offered by Dottie's Art Studios in Plainfield.

Bertrand visited one class; I visited three, with students ranging from the very young to teens, depending on the class.

At each class, I read for fifteen to twenty minutes from one of my books (Bertrand and the Lucky Clover, Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone, and Staked!) and then gave the books away.

This was a terrific idea (not mine). As an author, I can't express how gratifying it was to see the resulting artwork, all based on scenes from the books.

And, of course, Bertrand had a great time being passed around, checking out the kids' drawings, and meeting everyone.

Here is a brief pictorial recap, compliments of the art studio.

A Saturday Worthy of the Steward

In Staked! Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, created an entire world from his own imagination.

Today, I spent nearly eleven straight hours working on the final book of Before the Blood, the five-novel prequel to the BryonySeries.

I didn't get to the copy edits of Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone and I didn't finish Bertrand's First Book of Numbers.

But I accomplished so much today, that I feel good about foregoing my "normal" early morning, thirty-minute fiction time during the week to fix Cornell.

And as for Bertrand, well, he took a field trip yesterday to Chicago WITHOUT me! Talk about separation anxiety. But he went with a charming lady who took lots and lots of photos, enough for a third book: Cornell Visits the Big City, so it's all good.

So I'll be working on that book this week,too, and publish it before the numbers book. And I'll also host a blog (or two) of his adventures next week, so stay tuned.

As for "numbers," I'm planning a "back to school birthday bash" for Bertrand in September, a GREAT Time to release the book, methinks.

So a bit askew on the plans, but it will all work out.

And BTW, remember to check out the new recipe on Sue's Diner tomorrow. Didn't catch last week's? Well, you have one more day to access it right HERE.

Now for some fun and catching up on my letter-writing.

New Reviews, BryonySeries Website Updated

A family emergency took precedence over many of my goals for this weekend, but I did get a little work on Henry's chapter nine accomplished, and Rebekah and I did update the BryonySeries website.

The Society page has a new review for Bryony as well as reviews for Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone from students at Joliet Montessori.

Good reviews and bad reviews are both welcome. The books are meant to be read and enjoyed or not.

Read the reviews here: http://www.bryonyseries.com/society.

A Time to Work, A Time to be Challenged

I truly believe one is never too old to learn and to tackle new challenges.

This was certainly true for me this past weekend.

To be clear, I'm not complaining. I feel blessed, especially since it happened on a weekend when we commemorate the Holy Spirit.

Today I am tired, so the struggle is real.

But there is also an underlying exhilaration in being stretched far past my skills and what I used to consider my best.

Side note: Daniel very graciously did a copy edit this weekend on Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone. It was Rebekah's idea and a good one. Can't believe I didn't think of it. Just as soon as I have an opportunity to add his changes to the manuscript, we can reupload it. The goal is this weekend.

Ditto for the reviews from Joliet Montessori. Thank you for your patience.

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair." 2 Corinthians 4:8

Have a beautiful Monday,vampire fans. :)

Writing/Marketing Progress Summary

One, two, three, GO!

1) I spent about 12 hours working on Henry's chapter eight of Before the Blood last Saturday, assuming I'd complete it. However, the story took an unexpected turn requiring further development. So even though I'm the weekend editor this coming weekend, I SHOULD be able to finish it. In the meantime in my early morning writing time, I'm editing/fleshing out the stuff from Saturday.

2) No progress the last couple weeks on my second Cornell Dyer chapter book, Cornell Dyer and the Necklace of Forgetfulness. Hoping to add a chapter this coming weekend.

3) However, Joliet Montessori School has ten copies of Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone, which they're using as a school project. Meaning the students have read and passed them around for review/critiquing practice. I'm meeting with them next week to discuss the book and hear their feedback,and I'm super excited about this. We're planning to post their reviews on the BryonySeries website. And speaking of which...

4) Rebekah did a super job with the new website, keeping the "feel" of the old one with a cleaner, updated look. However, the domain didn't transfer so (always something) so she's going to look into it when she has a moment - and probably not this week.

5) As far as reviews go, I appealed for them on social media. I supplied the books. No reviews yet. Need to reach back out to the reviewers...

6) Staying the course of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and, of course this blog. Time to review my marketing plan and see what's next!

7) I'm also developing a grassroots marketing plan for WriteOn Joliet members. More on this later.

8) Finally, I had planned to shoot Bertrands's First Book of Numbers last weekend but got too caught up in BTB. But I DO have all the props (bought those last weekend), which are taking up space on my bedroom/slash office floor. Here's the proof.

The First Cornell Dyer Book is Released - Finally!

It was a project I began in 2013 before the well failed at our house in Channahon, and we had to move in a hurry.

The goal was to release three Cornell Dyer chapter books for children in third to seventh grades (depending on reading level and ability) and four Bertrand the Mouse books.

Since then, it's been one each. But the release of Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone comes with a bonus I've not had with the other books: ten students at a local Montessori school who have offered to read and review the book as a class project.

Did you hear my excited whoops?

After nine months of being displaced at my mother's house, I was hired at The Herald-News and four of us finally moved into a four-room apartment - and a year later upgraded to a two-bedroom townhouse.

I've continued to write and learn. More importantly, the people who help me with the skills I don't have, continue to learn and help me.

I still have a goal of three Cornell and our Bertrand a year. A Christmas Bertrand book is ready for formatting and a third is in the works. I've already begun a second Cornell book and had some initial art talks with my "Cornell" illustrator Sue Midlock.

Eventually, Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone will be available on the bryonseries website. Please be patient, as we (meaning Rebekah and Sarah) are working on upgrading that website to mobile friendly.

I'm also contemplating the best social media forum for Cornell. I have some vague ideas for adding puzzles and games to the website, but I'd like a social media spot for the series, too. Ideas welcome.

In the meantime, order it from Amazon here: https://goo.gl/H6bOeZ

Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, March 19 through March 24

Where did the week go? I feel liked I blinked and pooh! It was gone.

Today will be a long day,m so I'm working ahead on the calendars in order to cover an event this Sunday. I'm also working "on location" this Monday for two upcoming stories. Saturday, however, is reserved mostly for Before the Blood.

Also, we are hoping to FINALLY release Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone this week. Just waiting to hear back from Createspace. I've also started a second Bertrand book, a "counting" book for preschoolers.

And now...

First, the non-bylined work: the health, faith, and arts and entertainment calendars. Three of them can be found at this link:. http://www.theherald-news.com/lifestyle/

Gotta Do It, runs each Sunday and often stays on the home page throughout the week.

Feature briefs for Tuesday (health), Thursday (faith), Friday (Arts and Entertainment), and Sunday (People) are also edited (texted and photos) by the lady of this blog, but only the stories have bylines.

Another option: I do post the briefs and calendars on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61. And of course, I post curated content relating to the BryonySeries at @BryonySeries.

Just an FYI: On free days, holidays, and Sundays I'm not on call, I only post the blog to my "real" Twitter account, as my company insists we do take time off. I'm less reasonable, so unless I'm on a real vacation, I still post to the BryonySeries accounts.

FYI: videos have not been attaching to my Herald-News stories, although they do run for a time on the home page. You may also find them under the "videos" tab.

If you'd like to watch a video, and it's not showing up for you, message me, and I'll manually attach it. No worries for this week, though, although I will have videos for Sunday.

Thank you for reading The Herald-News.

Plainfield deacon has collected nearly 7 million pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House Charities

James R. Sossong plans to collect 10 million pop tabs to help families with sick children

Sossong’s goal is to reach 10 million and then – maybe – retire from active collecting.

“I just believe God put me on this earth to help others,” Sossong said, “and most of the time, when I do things like that, I get more out of it than what I give. So I’ll probably just continue doing it."

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/03/12/plainfield-deacon-has-collected-nearly-7-million-pop-tabs-for-ronald-mcdonald-house-charities/ad7xhus/

An Extraordinary Life: Joliet woman's gift was service and she had fun doing it

Sue Klen understood the golden rule

It was Sue’s fun side that first attracted John Leeson, who married her in 2004. He’d met her while playing pool and felt immediately drawn to her playfulness, friendliness and sense of humor.

“She was a down-to-earth girl,” John said. “She didn’t put on any airs.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/03/16/an-extraordinary-life-joliet-womans-gift-was-service-and-she-had-fun-doing-it/anywvw0/

Mystery Diner: Nevin's Brewing Company has top-level brews and bites

The real reason I stopped by, the beer options. They give tours and have deals throughout the week, from four options for $4 32-ounce pitchers on Sundays to $3 select drafts on Wednesdays and Thursdays and a 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday Happy Hour.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/02/23/mystery-diner-nevins-brewing-company-has-top-level-brews-and-bites/agzqjh6/

Joliet man is celebrating the person God wants him to be

Joliet man shares story of recovery

The Rev. Gregory Thompson, a minster, preacher and teacher at The Way Church of Joliet. called Pucel “a man of faith” and one of “God’s trophies,” living proof it’s possible to stand tall after falling far.

“Even though he’s years into this [recovery] lifestyle, he still has exuberance and enthusiasm,” Thompson said. “He’s a very kindhearted, humble guy, not flashy, just down-to-earth and excited about what God is doing in his life.”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/03/14/joliet-man-is-celebrating-the-person-god-wants-him-to-be/ajhf1t5/

Trivia events a popular way to give back in Joliet area (VIDEO EXTRA)

But it was Rebekah who blew everyone away with her “Ooooh! Oooh” answer to the very last question: What show created the spin-off, “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo?”

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/03/14/trivia-events-a-popular-way-to-give-back-in-joliet-area/asohxd5/

Writing, Marketing, and Side Projects: Fast Recap

Really fast recap, as I opted to sleep in two hours today, which meant I didn't get up until 5:45 a.m. Celebrating a day I'm working from home while systems are down in the office today.

Saturday: Up early to finish a work project I didn't finish the previous night and then onward to Before the Blood. Not as much progress as I wished (mostly because my expectations are high, I think), but plenty of sections to compose and refine for the coming week.

Sunday: Working with Rebekah, I fixed as much formatting as possible for Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone. She is uploading it today. If Createspace approves it, we'll probably only scan the online proof before going live.

I also have a couple Bertrand books in progress, one for release next fall, another for release this spring.

Marketing: Mostly maintaining the pace (which is good) and mostly because the website still sucks on mobile view, so I don't want to go the next level until that's fixed. A call to Go Daddy is on today's "to do" list. I'm SLOWLY gaining some Twitter followers (@BryonySeries) and "likes." Same goes for Bertrand's Instagram, too.(bertrand_bryonyseries).

"Real" work-wise, I'm also plodding along on some new projects I hope to launch, with our managing editor's approval.

Side project: Received a lovely note from an art therapist at Joliet Area Community Hospice about the impact my art therapy books are having on clients. Really, really made my day. Isn't it wonderful how God can use even the challenging parts of our lives to bless others?

Another side project: Last Thursday, Harper Collins author Lori Rader-Day shared her story (and signed books) at our WriteOn Joliet meeting. The visit was informal and engaging, and members offered great feedback on how Rader-Day's visit inspired them.

Finally: Tomorrow is World Poetry Day and there is a movement to "pay for a cup of coffee with a poem." I don't write good poetry, but I'm going to print off one of my classic favorites and see if I can't "buy" a cup of coffee with it. Wish me luck!

And there we go. Happy Monday morning, vampire fans! :)

A Free Couple of Days (Sort Of)

The burning question: did I get to spend as much time on Before the Blood as I wished?

Not even close, which is profoundly disappointing.

Was it a good three days off? Yes, in many ways.

On Friday, I reread some portions and wrote snippets left and undone here and there. I was a amazed at how much real progress I actually make in my half hour each morning. This was heartening. So while I often do not spend entire days writing 3,000 words at a time, typical of Saturdays when I wrote the drafts of my trilogy, I am ending up with copy that will need minimum self and outside editing when the time comes.I also have to remember the prequel requires an extraordinary amount of research, which also slows my pace. When it's done, and I'm ready to begin my standalone werewolf novel, the drafting pace will be much quicker. So all things in their time, I suppose.

A reminder: Enjoy the roll.

We finished the formatting for Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone only to realize there's a formatting glitch that made adding page numbers impossible. So we reverted to an earlier draft, and I need to refix the mistakes,which will occupy my fiction time this morning, grumble.

On the other hand: I learned this weekend not to be so stoic. I applied the maxim, "Ask and you shall receive" and received mixed results.

I reached out on my personal Facebook page for reviewers for my series with the result that I mailed out six books and received a request for a seventh, and then an eighth, which that reviewer offered to pick up from me. In addition, someone who works at a local Montessori school would like a grade of students to review "Cornell" as a class project. So I am most anxious to get this book done.

I also reached out to a friend I'm deeply missing, but received a distracted, lukewarm response. Ah, well.

Still, I'm proud of myself for showing a vulnerable side, even if it was not received, in that moment, as well I might have liked. An especially poignant poem a member of WriteOn Joliet share with the group on Thursday evening stirred it inside me and she kindly gave me a copy.

A reminder: Enjoy the roll.

I had lunch with family Saturday afternoon, but a high stress evening followed it, which resulted in a night of insomnia. I slept better last night, but am entering the week tired. I also had to get about an hour's worth of work done on Friday, double that on Saturday, and five yesterday after church before I cut it off to walk in the waning sunshine.

I finally scheduled a catch-up at week at work, which I might extend into two, for my goal is to genuinely get on top of some pushed aside items. It will probably mean a temporary reduction in actual feature stories for a week or two, to be occasionally repeated when necessary, but the goal is to open up some free/family time and stay on top of things, not a bad goal, methinks.

A reminder: Enjoy the roll.

On Thursday, I received a gift of original poetry from a new friend in WriteOn Joliet. I met her a year ago at a revision workshop a local library asked me to present, and she's been attending the Joliet group ever since. I really wanted to purchase her book but she insisted she felt inspired to publish it because of me and wanted to give me a copy. Well! That made me feel good. So I have it at bedside and am reading one poem per day and night, to soak up the words and inspire ME.

And these are my thoughts as I enter Monday. Enjoy the day, vampire fans! :)

Taking the Long Road

Life is, sometimes, a series of trade-offs.

All of us must decide how we shall spend each twenty-four block God, in His mercy and kindness, graciously gives us.

I've spend the last few weekends with mostly work projects, not working on the novel. And I shall do do again this weekend.

However, these were all projects I was pleased to tackle. And I'm learning a new skill, video editing, in the process. And the only way to accomplish all of the above was to, temporarily, trade off my fiction.

Which means finishing the formatting for Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone takes a back seat until the weekend after this one. Because that will be the first opportunity for returning to it.

That said, today's post is short on purpose so I can spend my thirty minutes on Before the Blood.

Happy Monday, vampire fans! :)

Progress?

So the long couple of weeks at work culminated in a very short weekend and less fiction progress than I had hoped.

I didn't leave work on Friday until ten o'clock; consequently, I didn't get to sleep until after the witching hour and then started Saturday by oversleep (seven-thirty). By the time I finished social media, walked a bit, and met someone for an interview, it was nearly noon.

I did finish the three character questionnaires for the last section of Henry's chapter seven in Before the Blood, but that's all. Oh, and I did succumb to a thirty minute nap.

After Rebekah came home from work, and we walked, I headed into work for a couple more hours.

Sunday after Divine Liturgy was more work, which is how I generally spend Sunday afternoons. I did get walking in and yoga in.

Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone still requires formatting adjustment, and I, possibly, could have done it last night, but I felt I needed a mental break. Instead, I watched an episode and a half of the Korean drama, Descendants of the Sun with Rebekah.

This weekend, I'm covering an event that begins Friday and finishes up Saturday (which I will have to write on Saturday, as it will run on Monday), so I'm planning on taking the middle part of Friday off, just to build some free (i.e. fiction writing) time off. Because the following week, I'm back on as weekend editor.

That said, I'm hoping to spend my thirty minute morning writing time structuring this last chapter section, which, in a regular novel, might be its own chapter (or two. or three). This way, I'm prepared for more sweeping and global writing.

And maybe, just maybe, I can correct Cornell's formatting errors come Saturday. Maybe.

At any rate, that's the sentiment this last Monday morning in January.

A Writing Break (Of Sorts)

To be clear: I don't think writers ever completely take a break from writing. Our minds are always absorbing and creating.

But starting in September and continuing almost until Christmas, the amount of features work I compile and manage rises A LOT, mostly because of the extra community events that need processing in The Herald-News in some way.

While doing all the holiday stuff one does during this time. Especially, but not exclusively, when one has a family, etc.

This means I shelve quite a bit of non-timely work.

It also means an increased need to exercise my creative side. And I've truly had a productive few months.

So for the next couple of weeks, I need to address the items on the overflowing virtual shelves. And while our managing editor is on vacation, and our associate editor is assuming his duties, I'm assuming some of hers.

And the holidays aren't quite over. At least not for moi and mine.

I'm also the weekend/holiday editor for New Year's Eve and beyond. So I won't have another day off until Jan. 6.

But it's all good.

I'm catching up, and I'm looking forward to returning to Before the Blood with renewed energy and a fresh perspective, especially since my current chapter took off in a direction I hadn't anticipated before it sucked me in.

Oh, and I still need some time for fix the formatting errors in Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone. And I have an event in January. And I have some photos to take for next year's Bertrand the Mouse Christmas story.

See what I mean?

Spent

I read the other day that it's not possible to write more than three or four hours at a time. Obviously, that person doesn't work in a newsroom!

Or perhaps that only applies to creative works, and that person can spend that amount each day working on fiction.

On Friday, I took my last vacation day in order to spend three days with my daughter-in-law and two of my grandchildren. But Zachariah was fighting a cold, and the weather turned crummy and hazardous, so we will reschedule.  Here's what I did instead:

Friday: Power walk, social media, errands, read, a little fiction (interrupted by errands), read through Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone and marked typos and formatting errors.

Saturday: Power walk, social media, twelve hours of writing fiction (Before the Blood)

Sunday: Power walk, social media, edited the previous day's fiction, calendars for work, a little marketing research, the prologue and beginning outlines for Cornell Dyer and the Necklace of Forgetfulness.

I'm happy to report for the first time in a very long time, I have "spent" my creative drive this weekend and am happy to return to work today.

In an ugly Christmas sweater (loaned to me by a friend since I don't own any)

Because that's the theme of this year's office party.

Happy cold Monday, vampire fans! :)

A Less Than Cheery Post

It was a strange weekend, busy with job duties, along with sorrow, frustrations, and blessings.

It began by receiving a message around midnight on Saturday morning that a wonderful family friend and neighbor for many years, who had been in remission for lung cancer and anticipated returning work soon, had taken an unexpected turn.

Within days, the cancer reappeared and spread everywhere; she entered hospice that evening. When dawn broke, I called my kids. After addressing some computer issues and getting the immediate work completed, I headed over to hospice. She died shortly afterward.

The day remained full since I also had a story to cover. Sunday we skipped church anticipating lots of snow coverage. I worked the news end and also the my features end in anticipation of a funeral this week. It's also a four-day work week for me anyway with extra meetings, so it will be a challenging week for me on many levels.

Anyway, by the time the snow actually did arrived, my phone started acting up like an erratic child. I can do some basic operations with it if I use the stylus so we're thinking it's a screen issue.

And the blessings?

A volunteer choir of 75 people braving the cold wild and snow Saturday night to sing Christmas carols in Walmart's parking lot (I was there filming clips).

The warmth and support of family and friends.

Reading Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone for errors and realizing my first book for middle-schoolers reads well.

Rereading last week's work on Before the Blood and realizing the same.

Catching a couple episodes of "W" last night with Rebekah before bedtime.

God is good all the time. A joyous Monday to you, vampire fans! :)

A Respite and Giving Thanks: A Summary in Sound Bites

The week I spend in Raleigh notwithstanding, these last few days have been the most time off I've taken off in many, many years, very rejuvenating and productive.

So after a very long Wednesday work day that extended into my regularly scheduled bedtime before I was finished, here's how I spent the past few days:

Thanksgiving Day: Divine Liturgy, fiction writing, power walk, traditional dinner (poor boys, kettle chips,pumpkin pie), Monopoly marathon with my family

Black Friday: Power walk, lunch with a friend, fiction writing, practicing my open mic piece for Thursday, working on a marketing plan, finished the Monopoly marathon with my family

Small Business Saturday: Power walk, picked out new glasses, fiction writing, work (just a couple hours in the evening, didn't quite get it all done on Wednesday)

Sunday: Divine Liturgy, work, dinner with friends, power walk, work that was interrupted by someone needing to talk

And back to work today. I'm ready to tackle the week and eager to return to the job I love so much.

Still, I long for one more day...

Weekend Writing Summary

The muse is back, and it's hot!

With Rebekah leaving early for work on Saturdays now, I got going almost as early as I would on a weekday (four-ish),finished the morning routine fairly early (including walk and coffee), and settled in at the PC to write.

Eight hours later with ideas still flowing, I reluctantly stepped away from the computer to rejoin life. I did come back later to add some finishing details to Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone, which should be in formatting stages by next week.

On Sunday afternoon while I worked on calendars for The Herald-News, Rebekah wrapped up Bertrand and the Lucky Clover and then uploaded it to Createspace. It really turned out well. We made some minor adjustments and re-uploaded it. Proof copy is on the way. If Createspace doesn't flag any issues, it should be available by the weekend.

Betrand book #2 is already in progress. :)

Writing tip: Keep stoking the muse. It will always flare back up.