Sometimes you just have to take a break and dig in the garden, sort through old photos, or crochet a couple of baby blankets. It has been that kind of May, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. I even enjoyed the big snow we had and was happy to see it didn’t do much damage to my garden except for snapping off one of the tomato main stems. I splurged on a much bigger tomato plant to replace it. I’m always hopeful I can finally get at least a couple of homegrown tomatoes that taste the way they did when I was a kid. Always the optimist!
Now, however, I need to let the garden grow and spend a little more time here on my blog. I’ll have two or three guest author/bloggers coming for a visit soon. And I’m ready to start some posts of my own on the writing life and my critters, Sassy Dog and Katie Cat. Here are a couple of examples. Sassy begs to get in my lap while I’m using the computer, hoping I’ll bring up some cat and dog videos instead of this boring stuff.
Sassy helping me write.
She will even rest her muzzle on my hand on the keyboard while she waits, patiently, as if she knows I can’t do much typing that way and will give in to her video wishes.
I’m also thinking about writing a series of posts featuring “Things I’ve Learned Over the Past 75 Years.” That’s a series where I could try out humor writing!
I’ll have a new book coming out in November, so you’ll be reading a little bit about that. I just saw the proof of the cover art and hope to do a cover reveal soon. Five Star’s artist team always does a fantastic job.
I’m registered for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Conference in Denver in September (early-bird registration ends on May 31st) and have signed up for an agent pitch (which means I better get one of these three manuscripts finished up soon), a new author headshot, and an author reading. These readings take place in the evenings after other events have wrapped up, and writers can read from works in process or published novels. I’ve attended as a listener a couple of times, but this will be my first time as a reader. That should be good practice for promo events where I need to read aloud.
And finally, I have a book recommendation for you. Timothy Ferriss put together a huge collection of interviews of all kinds of successful men and women, plus some of his own essays on various topics. The book is called Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers. I don’t advocate following all of the advice you’ll find there, especially some of the stuff about exercise and drugs, but I think reading the whole book provides a wealth of information to get the creative juices flowing and broaden our worlds a little.
Ferriss is on Facebook and Twitter, and he’s about to launch a new show on Direct TV’s Audience channel called Fear(less). If you check out his blog, you can sign up for informative blog posts and get some of the materials he offers for free from his blog and publications.
Hi Patricia, sometimes its important to take breaks, that way you come back all energized. Can I borrow Sassy as I need the writing luck 🙂
You’d love Sassy, Rachna. She’s a bundle of energy and she loves people, especially kids. I’m not sure she’d bring you luck, though. More likely she’d keep you from your work with her many requests for walks, trips outside to the yard, and play time. 😀
Congrats on the upcoming book.
Rocko would sit on my lap like that. Then she’d get on the desk and wander. Then back to my lap. Then the desk. It was hard to get anything done.
I had plants in my office for a while, so Katie would sneak over and try to munch on them while I was typing. I finally had to take the plants outside. The critters can find lots of ways to distract us.
Glad to see you back on the blogging. My granddaughter sits like that and watches me on the computer. Her attention span is about 25 seconds so I have to type fast.
The things we do to entertain our granddaughters! Mine will be visiting early in June and I’m already looking for fun things to do….although I suspect they won’t be too interested in my typing speed.
Hey Patricia! I understand. Taking a break next week myself. Sometimes it’s needed.
Is Sassy your good luck writing dog?
I certainly hope so, Alex. Maybe she’ll help me find an agent now that I’ve lost my old publisher. 😀
Delighted to see you back, Pat. But, hey, we all need a break at times. I love the ‘photos of you and your ‘assistant.’ I’m sure she’s very helpful. I’m excited to hear you have a book coming out later this year; I look froward to reading it!
Thanks, Margot. I have a second assistant in Katie Cat. She likes to be held upright with her paws on my shoulder so I end up typing with only my right hand. 😀
It sounds like you’ve had a lovely May and are now refreshed and ready for all those upcoming events. Good for you and good luck with everything!
Love the pics! I hope Sassy got to watch at least one or two videos . 🙂
We definitely watch the videos, Madeline. I like the compilations of funny cat/dog antics the best.
I admit, it’s refreshing to just goof off for a month or so. I’ve been reading more too.