If there was ever any doubt, let it be known that I love Fridays. The weekend is looming around the corner, and I’m already in countdown. Now that summer has arrived, I will be spending sunny afternoons plotting and/or reading poolside. I still need to work in my normal writing schedule but I’m hoping to grab a little down time as well.
I’m also hoping to get back to a more regular blogging schedule. This past week, saw an award (thank you, Jess Bakkers) and a surprise from my husband (thank you, love of my life). If you’re interested in either post, just follow the links.
Looking back:
On Story Empire, Joan Hall shared a post that cleverly combined The Beatles, Sgt. Peppers and Writing and Harmony Kent shared Part One of her series Commas and How to Use Them. Today, you can find the weekly Curated Writing Content gathered by the authors of Story Empire. I hope some of these appeal to you.
Looking ahead:
My own writing projects are moving forward. A Desolate Hour will be releasing on July 18th, and I recently submitted a short story for an anthology I was invited to participate in. You’ll be hearing more on the latter as publication time approaches.
Currently, I’m knee deep in research mode for my next novel, The Blue Lady of Hode’s Hill. Although I read daily, I’ve been entrenched in non-fiction as opposed to putting a dent in my TBR.
Half of Blue Lady deals with Spiritualism in the late 1800s as related to practicing mediums and fraud. I’ve been reading a book called Ghosts by Gaslight by Troy Taylor in order to get up to snuff. It’s fascinating, but dense, especially as I’m making notes as I go. I also just picked up a massive tome on Harry Houdini, someone who has always intrigued me—more so as I delve into the late 19th century and early 20th century.
We’re spending tomorrow evening with friends so this weekend is more about fun and pool time, but I’ll work writing and research in somehow.
What about you? What project or book is calling you and are you a Friday Fanatic like I am?
Lovely post, Mae. I am busy writing my mother’s memories with her. It is such a lovely project. I am posting some of my writing in the series “The 1940’s in England through the eyes of a child.” We have a public holiday today so I am hoping to also make some progress on the artwork for Book 4 in the Sir Chocolate series that will be available in October 2017. Happy rest, relaxation and writing!
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Robbie, I really enjoyed the post you shared on your blog recently that was from your mother’s memories. It was so vivid. What a wonderful experience to share with her. It’s great the way your entire family is involved in your writing projects. Happy weekend, and enjoy your holiday!!
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I love Fridays… love Thursdays even more! But this week I started the weekend Wednesday night! LOL! Finished going through the proof for a print edition, and couldn’t muster one more intelligent thought. This too shall pass in a day or two…or surely by Monday! LOL!
Enjoy your weekend, Mae! 😉
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You either have a long weekend or a middle of the week weekend. However they fall, they’re always great when they give us two back-to-back days away from the day job.!
How exciting about the print edition. Holding your own book in your hands is exhilarating. Congrats and happy Friday, Felicia!
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I’m using this weekend as a writing break. The whole thing’s just overwhelming at the moment so some down time to wash the car, do the garden will be just the ticket. I like Ve that you have a firm date for publication, that must be so exciting (or nerve wracking)! Enjoy your own downtime lovely!
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Those writing breaks are necessary, Jess. I take them as needed and always refocus with new energy.
And you just reminded me that my car is in serious need of a wash. Ugh! Maybe next weekend, LOL!
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Yes, it’ll keep till next weekend 😉
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Nothing better than a sunny summer weekend poolside. Enjoy!
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Fingers crossed the weather is going to cooperate. I need pool time, LOL!
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Who could resist that feline face? 🐱 A Desolate Hour is a great title Mae. Good luck with all the getting-ready for the release. Hugs.
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Hi, Teagan. I’m such a sap for animals, but most especially cats. Thanks for all the kind words and enjoy your weekend! 🙂
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I’m sssoooo ready for the weekend. And I love summer. Enjoy your weekend, Mae!
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Weekends rock! I hereby propose a toast to weekends and summer. Cheers, Joan! 🙂
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Enjoyed this post, Mae. I am knee-deep in a collaborative effort that is an exciting story which has some mystery and spiritual elements. Also getting ready to launch Circumstances of Childhood which could be described as speculative fiction. Happy weekend to you.
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Happy weekend, John! Both of your projects sound right up my reading alley. I look forward to Circumstances of Childhood, and hope to hear more about the collaborative effort. Exciting times! 🙂
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They sure are. 🙂
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I love the sound of your next project. I haven’t been able to get anything done lately. I have to get started on my time travel story soon. I have a fresh new story screaming at me to get out, and I need to get two books ready to publish. It will all happen eventually, but I’d like to take something off my plate for a change.
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That’s often how I feel, Craig. When you get at least one item crossed off the list it’s such a sense of accomplishment AND relief. And why does it always seem when you’re already juggling more than you can handle, that the new story ideas show up? 🙂
Thanks for your interest in the new project. I’ve got a couple of odd things woven into this one.
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Odd is right up my street.
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Wishing you a lovely weekend, Mae! I’m in launch mode for next Tuesday. Cheers! 🙂
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Happy almost-weekend, Natalie! It’s very exciting your new release is right around the corner. I know I’ll be snatching up my copy on release day! If you’re planning a blog tour, I’m happy to host!
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Mae, you’re an absolute gem! Thank you so much for this boost of confidence. I’m excited, but oh so nervous. Thank you for your offer of hosting! I’ll definitely be doing a blog tour this time around. Cheers with hugs! 🙂
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Great! I would love to help you out on tour. I know the book will be both beautiful and awesome!
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That cat is just adorable! Spending time with friends tonight – they just adopted 2 new cats and looking forward to meeting them. Harry Houdini has always interested me – watched a few movies and read things here and there about him, but nothing in depth. Your WIP sounds intriguing – right up my alley.
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What fun with two new cats! You know I can’t resist those adorable critters. I’d be looking forward to tonight as well if I were you 🙂
The more I learn about Houdini the more he amazes me. And I’m finding it so intriguing to learn how seances were run in the 1800s. The research has kept me riveted!
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I don’t have any set schedule for the weekends, and that’s why I love them! This Saturday, I’m giving a writing workshop with three writer friends at the southwest library. Should be fun. On Sunday, my husband’s ditching me for Father’s Day and going to a movie with a friend. We’ll both enjoy that!
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Best wishes for the writing workshop, Judi. That sounds like a lot of fun. And enjoy your time on Sunday. Sounds like it’s wide open for anything that strikes your fancy! 🙂
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Excited about your new novel!!! 🙂
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Thank you! The first couple of chapters are done and the research is proving fascinating. Naturally, I couldn’t write a book without some “weird” in it, LOL.
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I am retired, but still, my week revolves around a work schedule, my hubbies work schedule. We do most things together, so I have to stay on target. We just got back from a round of golf, took a dip in the pool and watching some golf and beachfront property TV shows. Of course, a book is always at hand and right now I am reading Moonborn by Terry Maggert. A little god and human interaction going on. Glad to know you are working on a new book…Enjoy your weekend.
sherry @ fundinmental
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Ahh, Sherry, I can’t wait for retirement but it is still several years away. And you and your hubby sound much like me and mine, in that we do most things together. I hope your weekend has been fabulous! 🙂
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To answer your question, Mae…YES!!!
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heeheee. Great answer, Stanalei!
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I just finished MY GRL by John Howell, a short book: Practical Passion by Elizabeth Delsi (love her books), and I’m getting ready to delve into The One Enlightened: Chronicles of the Diasodz, Book 2 by Yvette Calleiro. I loved book 1. I’m trying to mix in short stories or short books between the longer ones so I can get more of my TBR read.
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That’s a great plan, Kim.
I really enjoyed My GrL and that whole series. And how odd that you should mention Yvette’s books, as I’m almost ready to start book 1 of the Diasodz Chronicles.
My problem is that my research reading always tends to the dense and long side and makes it difficult to lessen my TBR!
Happy reading and thanks for commenting!
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Good luck! I have downloaded some books for research, but where I need them, I’m not ready to start with the series yet. It deals with witchcraft and 4 sisters that come from an ancestry of druids. At least that’s what I’m thinking right now. We’ll see. I’ve got a few other books to write first.
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You’re lucky you have good weather. Ours in interrupted by four days of rain. Ugh! If you need a go-to person for all things psychic, ask Ronnie Allen. Do you know her? If not, I’ll be happy to introduce you. She’s a psychic and author.
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Thanks, Sue. You’re so sweet. My slant is more on fraudulent psychics though, and the tricks they employee (or in this case, employed in the late 1800s). It’s fascinating reading.
And I had a pool day today! First one of the summer. We’ve had crappy weather, but today it was partly sunny and 90. Tomorrow the rain comes back–ugh! At least today has been bliss!
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Right now I’m working on TA but what I thought was a YA project has become an adult one. So I’m unsure whether I should put it on the back burner or go forward.
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Hmm. Interesting. Sometimes books and characters have a habit of developing in a way different than we envision them. I usually run with the flow rather than trying to force the issue, but each writer approaches technique differently. Whatever you decide, wishing you lots of creativity and story growth 🙂
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Thanks, Mae! I don’t want to give up on this story yet as it’s keeping me busy and I like it.
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I love Friday too. The weekend is my chance to relax, do some cooking, read, write, and spend time with family and friends. Congrats on the award nomination.
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Thanks so much, Michele. I hope your weekend has been filled with all the things you enjoy!
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Man, late to the party again. Story of my life in the summer when I’m waging war on weeds 😀 I did do a mini-writing retreat since my dad’s away visiting my sister. Two glorious days of silence! And some writing, though never as much as I want. I did manage to get through a sticky patch. Now to work on the next sticky patch. And I can’t wait for A Desolate Hour so I can find out what happens to the Mothman 😀
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Hey, late is fine! I’m just glad you dropped by. I know how crazy summer gets for all of us.
I did zero writing this past weekend and need to scramble to make up for it this week. It’s amazing how easy it is for summer time distractions to interfere with our writing time.
And I’m glad you’re looking forward to ADH and the conclusion of Mothy’s tale 🙂
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How exciting that A Desolate Hour will be out soon! Congrats! I’m enjoying working on my first fiction novel. Compared to writing a true story, fiction is so incredibly freeing. The imagination can really take off and fly!!
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Fiction is wonderfully fun, Jan. Good luck with your project.
I can’t wait to see/read the finished book!
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Even though I am retired, I still love weekends the best and hate Mondays. I especially love Friday nights. Strangely for me, I am working on a flash fiction horror short that came to me in a dream. It gives me a creepy feeling but is satisfying. I love the way you take stock backward and forward. It is important, and I need to do more of that.
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I think once you work that love of Fridays must always stay with you, Flossie. It’s kind of like summer when you were a kid. Even as an adult, there’s still that excitement that comes when the kids are done with school
Sometimes those ideas that come to you in dreams are the best. Look at Mary Shelley 😀
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I like Fridays too, Mae, even though my days are all sort of the same. A holdover from the school/working years, I think. Good luck with your writing endeavors. Lot’s happening!
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Thanks 🙂
And I think you’re right….once you work, I fully suspect that love of Fridays will hang around forever!
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I am indeed a fanatic. Currently, catching up on all the blog posts has been my project, although I am enjoying my Friday Fiction Features project! Next installment is out tomorrow. I have never been so happy and disappointed simultaneously to see a Friday in my life. So much to do to catch up because I’m behind right now.
Looking forward to catching up on your goings on, and the release of your book! ❤️
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Hi, K.E.Thanks so much for that lovely reply. I’ve been really behind myself this week, still trying to catch up. It sounds like you are having fun with your Friday Fiction Features. I need to try to get back in the swing of my own regular blogging.
Thanks for dropping by an for the kind words about my upcoming release!
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