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Post by Admin on Sept 14, 2020 4:14:10 GMT
Sounds like you're making progress even if its not as much as you'd like. I had a bit of luck this week. Kara has friends staying at her house. They are in a rough place and trying to get back on their feet. She brought Jessica over and I feel like God sent her. She's not afraid of work. She shows up on time and she's a fast worker. She's going to finish painting the walls in my basement and deep clean for me on Wednesdays. I cannot wait for Angie to do it. I need someone at the same time every week so I can have a solid schedule. I need work hours that are written in stone. That won't happen if my help keeps changing hours on me. I get good vibes off Jessica. She's worked in a nursing home so she's comfortable around Joshua and she's self-motivated enough that I don't have to follow her around telling her how to do things.
I got the supplies I was waiting on for the art project. I'm going to be working in the studio tomorrow organizing and making it functional. I'll get bookwork caught up and once again try to work on writing. I think you're right about Lucky's story. I have enough there to really get it polished for submission to the contest. Have you heard any more about it? I'll have to go check their site.
I still feel the pull of goals and projects. The music muse isn't pulling at me so much. I'm not sure if it will stay calm or if it will come roaring back if I get stressed but for right now, art and writing are taking precedence.
I'm hoping I get to come to the signing. It will depend on weather and I might need to take a road trip to remember how to get to Halstead. I'll play it by ear. I have company coming in Oct. Nola and grandkids around Columbus day and Rhonda toward the end of the month. I wanted to take Hank's ashes back to Illinois in October but I don't think that will happen. I'd rather wait until the virus restrictions loosen up. Illinois is pretty bad.
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Post by bill on Sept 14, 2020 23:30:58 GMT
Nothing has been updated on the PPWC website for the Zebulon contest. I'll follow up with an e-mail since I had been told it wouldn't be long, and see if I can find out what the plans are.
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Post by Admin on Sept 15, 2020 3:38:13 GMT
I could have sworn I answered this. I think the book signing at the old hospital would be awesome. I'm going to do my best to be there. My problem is driving at night. I'm not as brave as I used to be but I'll see how things go. I don't want to miss it if I can help it.
The basement is progressing nicely. The lady who is painting for me is really fast and seems to know what she's doing. After so many no shows and unreturned calls, having somebody want to work is really nice.
I just keep plugging away. That's all I can do.
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Post by bill on Sept 16, 2020 22:15:59 GMT
Here is the e-mail I received: Hi Bill, COVID-19 has changed many things including The Zebulon. Again it is being retooled, and it will be integrated into the Conference. I've added Torie, who will be taking over that role, for any additional information. I've also updated the PPW website to reflect this change. With COVID-19, living in Canada makes it more difficult for me to ensure my attendance at the 2021 conference. Be Well, SM So no zebulon this year.  |
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Post by Admin on Sept 17, 2020 15:35:09 GMT
well, crap. And I was all ready to get Lucky ready to enter. I guess I could still work it up into a pitch but I'd need to have more of the story written before I do that. I have a lot already written just not enough to submit a full ms. But I could test the water to see if it gets more interest than anything else I've written
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Post by bill on Sept 17, 2020 21:36:04 GMT
Yeah, I was hoping to get my second murder mystery entered to see if it might win something to put on the cover when I publish in May. And if nothing else I got some really good feedback on all my entries last year. Going to miss that!
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Post by Admin on Sept 18, 2020 14:31:36 GMT
If Nyla and I can help in any way don't hesitate to ask. We're willing to wear costumes, provide treats, or simply show up and make the place crowded.
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Post by bill on Sept 19, 2020 0:17:05 GMT
Thanks! I'm going to take some time the next few days to figure out what the event should look like, so if you have any ideas shoot them this way. I do know I want a "spooky" vibe (though not necessarily Halloween-ish).
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Post by bill on Sept 21, 2020 1:24:20 GMT
When the Time is Right - Got manuscript back from one proofread and sent off to my dad for final proofread. The first proofreader didn't find many mistakes, which I expected because I've revised this story so many times I've caught most of the issues. Dad should have it back to me by Friday so I can make changes and send it on to Cat so she can start on Sunday.
I downloaded a program to make a book trailer. I spent a few hours on it this weekend and have a decent start. It will take several more hours of playing, but I feel good now that I can get one created by the time the book is published. My friend connected me to an author blog so I'll have at least one when the book is published, maybe more. I have a couple of fog machines for the book signing, and hope to have some "spooky" decorations as well. I hope to meet with a friend of mine this week to talk about local marketing.
Blog - I posted a blog for the fourth week in a row. I didn't expect that but so far I'm keeping up. I don't know that I'll do every week, necessarily, but probably will at least through the book launch. Then we'll see.
Three Blind Mice - I wrote a couple of scenes, but haven't had much time to work on it. I've decided I'm going to do what I can with it for the rest of the month of September, then when I revise it (my plan is December), I will work on adding the scenes that still need written. I can either do that or push back my timeline on everything to keep at it and I would rather stay on my timeline as best that I can.
Advent Calendar - I have a partially written rough draft and need to finish it this next week. I skipped Cat's calendar last year even though she gave me extra time and encourage me. I just didn't have an idea. I told her I would definitely do it this year (obviously before I knew I would publish When the Time is Right), so I need to get it finished.
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Post by Admin on Sept 21, 2020 4:31:39 GMT
You sound busy and that is good. I've been busy but not on my stuff. The landscaping is looking good. They are going to seed it with rye this fall. They said rye sprouts in 7 days and will be ground cover for the winter then in the spring they will reseed with the grass. The dog pen stuff is in my garage waiting to be put up. I will be so glad when I can turn the dogs out without having to walk them on a leash.
The basement walls are almost all sealed. I'm still waiting for the quote on framing the bathroom. I have a phone number for a possible electrician. I'll be making phone calls tomorrow trying to get somebody hired.
I have to contact Prudential for changing Hank's retirement over to my name and Allstate to get Joshua's change of address in place.
I have physical therapy lined up this week. My shoulder is quite painful. Hope it responds quickly to the therapy. Joshua has speech on Tuesday but don't know if it will be back to normal, or not. I'll have to try and get his new wheelchair mount installed. It doesn't look as hard as the last one. I'm tired of having to wait for people to help me. It feels like wasted time.
The news about the Zebulan kind of threw me into a funk. It doesn't take much to knock me down right now. I'm functioning but not at full speed. I don't want to medicate the depression. I'd rather work through the grief and just learn to live with it. I do pretty good then a memory, or a song, or something totally random will send me into a tailspin. It seems like I've been taking hits for the last ten years.
On the plus side, I do love my house. I just wish everything was in order and I could have a schedule written in stone.
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Post by bill on Sept 23, 2020 16:19:13 GMT
Hang in there, you'll get settled in the house in time. By the pictures on Facebook, you're making great progress!
I know what you mean about Zebulon. I've mentally planned on doing it three years in a row and they canceled it twice. It's frustrating (and a bit discouraging).
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Post by bill on Sept 28, 2020 1:15:32 GMT
When the Time is Right - I received proofreading back, made changes, and sent everything to Cat this week. Now I wait (she thought it would take her about a week), then I'll uploading to Amazon. I'm not under 4 weeks until my book launch. I finished a book trailer today. I may polish a little, but I think it's really close. Once I get the final book cover I'll add it then start promoting using the book trailer. I'll also make up some flyers to begin passing out. My focus this week needs to be on preparing the book launch. I want to come up with ideas of how to get people to come. Advent Calendar - I finished my story, but am not excited about it. Maybe some feedback will give me ideas how to improve. It's due on Thursday. Three Blind Mice - I wrote some; not a ton. I'll write what I can through Wednesday, then let it sit, probably until December when I revise. It will need a ton of work then, but I just don't have the energy and/or focus right now to do it justice. Blog - I posted a devotional on my blog this week, which means I posted every week in August. Hopefully I can keep it up and the consistency will build a reader base. If you are going to make it to the book launch and can bring treats, that would be awesome! If you can't make it, I understand. Sydney requested the weekend off and Susan and the boys plan to come down for it. At least I'll have a few people there  |
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Post by Admin on Sept 28, 2020 3:31:22 GMT
Nyla, Josh and I are going to try and make it. I can certainly provide some baked goods. I have three ovens. Make sure to give me the date and time again so I can put it into the calendar. Nyla and I thought about maybe trying to come up with costumes from your books but not sure how creative we could be. I'll think about it.
Marilyn was wanting copies of all your books. She has some of them. I'll try to get the titles and then buy the others off you at the book signing if you have copies to sell of all the books. If not, I'll order them off Amazon. It might help your rankings is I order online. I never know how Amazon does things. Let me know which you prefer. To buy at the signing or order off Amazon.
I'm tired. A bit discourage. I think its because the holiday season is coming and with the virus a lot of the family get-togethers aren't happening. Makes me even sadder.
The basement is moving along. I still need to get a breaker box installed. and a lot of framing done. The walls are sealed. We're going to spray paint the ceiling and epoxy the floors. I need to get a lot of shelving built. I'll do that myself if I have to. If I can get all the totes and clutter put away behind doors, or curtains, the basement will look really nice.
Good news about getting the book to Cat for editing. It's exciting to see another book coming to life.
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Post by bill on Sept 28, 2020 16:03:53 GMT
The book signing is Oct. 24 from 6-8 p.m. I think dressing up is a great idea!
I will have a table with all of my books there. I don't have a preference how they're purchased. I don't know how Amazon works, and at this point I don't sell enough on there to register in the rankings anyhow. I need to figure that out going forward though, I know.
I look forward to getting over there again and seeing the progress you're making on the house.
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Post by Admin on Sept 28, 2020 19:33:30 GMT
You're welcome anytime. I'll get with Nyla and figure out how many we can round up to come over. I have most of your books so I'll look in them to see if I can find any costumes that would represent one of your characters. I'll buy books for Marilyn when I come. The only thing that would change my plans is weather. I don't see as well at night as I should.
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