Happy Friday!

Can you believe we’re halfway through the month of January? How is that possible? Wasn’t it just New Year’s Day? Honestly, it’s been a blur since Christmas and just this week I’ve been able to get back on track with my writing (I was able to write 3k words on Wednesday!). A couple family members had some health issues and that took me away from my routine but I did manage to get words written. In order to do that, I had to let go of some things and one of those things was social media. This week marks my return to Facebook and Instagram. I have to admit, it was a nice break.

Since the beginning of the year, I’ve implemented a morning routine that prioritizes writing first thing. It was a bit of a challenge since I spent a good chunk of time down in NYC with my dad but I made it happen. The closest Barnes & Noble store opens at 9 am, so I was there when the door were unlocked and I made my way up to the cafe where I ordered breakfast and worked for two hours. The only downside (well, not really but considering my TBR…) was that I left the store with book(s) each day. Sorry. Not sorry. It is what it is. I love books. And, they had a lot of 50% sales. (Yeah, I’m trying to justify my shopping habit). Anyway, I’ve continued the early morning writing sprints after coming home and it’s so nice to have at least a 1,000 words written before breakfast. In fact, the past three days I’ve added in some afternoon sprints. It’s nice to have a boost of few extra hundred words before I close my laptop for the day.

Over the holiday season I made reading a priority and by doing so I enjoyed so many fun books! So I continued into the new year. I’ve finished reading SNOWED IN FOR CHRISTMAS by Jacqueline Snow. It was such a fun read! I’m finishing up BUYER BEWARE by Diane Vallere. I’m so close to the end and I can’t wait to find out whodunnit. Next up will be an ARC of LIE IN THE TIDE by Holly Danvers. I’m really excited to dive into that book.

On Tuesday, I had an urge to bake so I made my go-to oatmeal bars with blueberries since I had a bunch leftover. I made a note to share my updated recipe soon. They are so yummy!

These last two days of the week have been spent running errands, house chores and writing. All in all, not a bad way to end the week. I hit the 40k mark in my first draft and that’s pretty darn exciting. Especially for Hope. Just when she thought she figured out whodunnit something happens that has her second guessing. Love when that happens.

I think that’s all I have to share for today. Thanks for shopping by and spending a few minutes with me. I’m going to get a refill and get back to work. Before you get your refill, please share what you’re up to today or this weekend in the comments. I’d love to know.

Happy Friday!

We’re wrapping up the second week of August. It’s been a heck of a couple weeks with hot temps, lots of rain, first drafting, copy edits and a preview of fall temps. A little bit of everything this week.

The copy edits of the next Food Blogger mystery wasn’t bad so I got through them quickly and returned the manuscript to my editor on Tuesday. It’s such a good feeling to have that off my desk. Now, I’m waiting for the cover design and the proof pages. I can’t wait to see the cover since it’s a mystery set at Christmas. At the beginning of this month a course I enrolled in started and week two has wrapped up. Four more weeks to go and there’s so much information within the modules and could easily be overwhelming but I’m taking it slow and I expect to have to go through the course again to fully absorb all the info. I did have to set aside working on my first draft of another novel to work on the copy edits and this week I was able to get back my writing. I eased into the words slowly on Tuesday and I’m so happy to be back into the story. I missed it. I also missed my early morning writing sprints that I started when I began the book. At this point, I’m not sharing any details of the story. Hopefully, soon.

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Happy Friday!

It’s hard to believe we’re halfway through the year. It feels like it was just yesterday that I rang in the New Year (all cozy asleep in bed that is) and I was shoveling snow. But, it’s the end of June now. Which means, we’re getting closer to the ‘ber months! I know, I know, don’t rush it. But I can’t help it. Especially this year because…a new Food Blogger mystery is coming in one of the ‘ber months. That’s all I can share right now. The manuscript landed in my editor’s inbox a couple weeks ago and we’ll be finalizing the title and cover soon. It’s a Christmas mystery. Okay, that’s all I’m going to say about it. Lips are sealed.

In addition to getting the manuscript to my editor, I was busy this month planning out the next quarter (which starts on Monday!). I set three goals for the quarter which includes writing outlines, pre-release work (setting up events and other good stuff for the upcoming Food Blogger mystery) and working on my systems (I’m trying out a new task management program) to help streamline my things. It’s amazing how much admin work there is as a writer. Who knew?

When I haven’t been at my desk, I’ve been outside in the garden beds. Over the past few years, because of life, those beds have been neglected so I’ve been making an effort to tidy them up. It’s a big process but taking it one section at a time is helping. And I have been enjoying going out on Sunday mornings to weed and maintain those spaces. I’ve also started a new cross stitch project. I purchased the chart last fall but didn’t stitch it. A few weeks ago, I pulled it out along with a piece of linen and started the project. I absolutely fell in love the the sampler and I’m hoping to have it completed by Halloween.

I’m sure I’ll be able to make more progress on this project since it’s that time of the year – Christmas in July, baby! Though, it seems to be starting in June. There’s QVC, which started their Christmas in July last week ( I may have ordered something Christmasy) and there’s Hallmark’s Christmas in July which runs from Friday, June 28 at 8 p.m. Eastern through Wednesday, July 21.  Ready to crank up that A/C and fill your mugs with hot cocoa? If you are, click here for more info on the movie schedule.

I think that’s all I have to share for today. Thanks for stopping by and spending a few minutes with me. I’m going to get a refill and get back to work. Before you get your refill, please drop down in the comments what you’re up to today, or this weekend. I’d love to know.

I love this time of the year. By the time August rolls around, I’m ready for the Ber months. Bring. Them. On. I love the sweaters, the boots, the hats, the decorations, the baking, the soups…I could go on and on. But I won’t bore you with a list of all the things. Though, there’s one more I need to add and then I’ll stop. Books. And speaking of books, I’ve had one release this week. A CORPSE AT THE WITCHING HOUR, book 6 in the Food Blogger Mystery series, has made its way out into the world and I’m beyond thrilled. It’s my thirteenth published novel. How fitting that it’s a Halloween-themed story.

With Halloween, comes shorter days, cooler nights and the craving for comfort foods. I’ve already whipped up a batch of Roasted Butternut squash soup and made a batch of chocolate chip cookies. It’s really nice to come into a warm, cozy house after working out in the yard and ladling out a big bowl of soup. Another reason to love the Ber months.

I’m currently reading WHAT THEY DON’T KNOW by Susan Furlong. It’s not a cozy at all. It is a psychological thriller that has twists and turns that have me turning the pages at an insane pace. I’m definitely loving this story.

As for work, I’m promoting my new release and I’m also 11,000 words into a new book. There’s also a takeover of Meg’s Cozy Corner (on Facebook) next week and an upcoming Zoom chat with a book club later this month about HOW THE MURDER CRUMBLES.

I’m in need of a refill, I think I’m going to make it a pumpkin spice, so I’m going to sign off and get more coffee. Thanks for visiting with me today. I’ve shared what’s been going on and I’d love to know what you’re up. Drop a comment and let me know.

This morning we were woken up by a passing thunderstorm  and Connie was not pleased. It definitely was a jarring start to the morning but it gave us a little extra time to cuddle up on the sofa until the storm eased up. And since there were no power outages or damage (thank goodness), I enjoyed the storm. The half hour of keeping Connie close to me allowed me to think about what I’d do today. My plan had been to continue working on my manuscript outline, but I finished it yesterday! A week earlier than planned.

I’d been brainstorming ideas for this new story since June and started, what I call a skeleton outline, in July. At the beginning of this month, I set the goal to finish the outline by August 31^st and start writing the first draft on September 1^st. I’m not changing the date to start writing the manuscript. Instead, I’m going to set aside my 21 page outline and spend next week catching up on some admin tasks, brainstorm another story idea and read, read, read.

Last week while I was in NYC, I visited the Union Square Barnes & Noble and picked up a few books. I’ve finished The Seaside Library by Brenda Novak and I’m now reading A Dark and Stormy Night by Laura Childs.

Earlier this month I did a quick monthly reset for my goals I wanted to achieve by the end of August. The biggest goal was writing the outline for my next book. My other goals included creating content for an upcoming takeover over at the Cozy Mystery Party (not a member yet? Check it out on Facebook, it’s a lot of fun!),  and setting up my Notion dashboard. Reviewing my list, it looks like I did pretty good. I got the outline done. I have all the posts ready for the takeover and my Notion setup is looking good.

My plan for the rest of the day is to watch presentations from the InkersCon Virtual conference I registered for earlier this year. Yes, it’s going to be a chilled, laid back day.

I’ve also started decorating for autumn. I know, I know that it’s still summer but I couldn’t help myself. In my defense, the autumn decorating season goes until Thanksgiving since I don’t decorate for Halloween or put-up Christmas decorations up before Thanksgiving. And I needed the boost my favorite season always gives me.

I’m in need of a refill so I’m going to sign off and get more coffee. Thanks for visiting with me today. I’ve shared what’s been going on and I’d love to know what you’re up. Drop a comment and let me know.