I have “deadline hangover” which basically means I’m creatively spent and having trouble stringing complete sentences together.
But I’m thrilled to report that I’ve sent my new book, One Woman’s Junk to my developmental story editor!
I’ll be explaining more about why these items were important to my creative process as we get closer to the release date.
With any luck, this first book in my Psychic Consignment Mystery series, featuring the Concordia sisters, will be released in August.
The rest of the series is already sketched out, but the next book I write will be Hitwoman 21.
But first I’m taking a couple of days off. I’m going to indulge in the reward of watching the adaptation of GOOD OMENS. I love the book and I’ve only heard good things about the show.
PCM
Perfection? Pffffttt!!!!
I recently completed a month-long challenge to try to learn to draw.
I knew I wasn’t going to be good at it, but I figured I’d give it a try since I thought that thinking differently would be good for my brain.
I felt compelled to share my efforts daily on Instagram — like the universe was pretty much screaming, “Put it out there!” kind of compelled.
I don’t know about you, but I find it difficult to “put it out there” when I know I’m going to fail. It’s uncomfortable. It’s embarrassing.
But one of the things I dislike about social media is the way people only show the best sides of themselves, so I followed the calling and put 30 days worth of sketches out there.
I’d love to tell you that I became a great artist. That didn’t happen and I don’t know that any amount of practice could help me become one. My brain just doesn’t work that way.
What did happen though, was that I became a less judgmental of myself. I found it easier to focus on the process, rather than the end result.
I’ve really used that lesson as I developed my new Psychic Consignment Mystery series. I did what “felt fun” rather than worrying about what the “shoulds” were.
I can’t wait for you to read it! Make sure to sign up for my newsletter to find out when it comes out.
In the meantime, if you need a good laugh feel free to check out my sketches on Instagram.
New month, new book, new series
Last month I focused on telling you about my writing retreat. This month, I’m going to tell you about the new series I’m working on.
This new series has been in the works for a couple of years.
Yes, you read that right. YEARS.
I initially conceived of it in 2016, but it didn’t “feel right” at the time. It took me quite a while to figure out exactly what I wanted it to be about. Then it took a while to develop the characters. Finally I got to the point where I plotted out the arc of the three book series. (I’ve sketched out another three books, but there’s no guarantee I’ll ever write those.)
So now I’m working on ONE WOMAN’S JUNK which is Book 1 in the Psychic Consignment Mystery series.
Stay tuned this month and I’ll tell you about the new method of writing I’m trying out as I write this book, how it’s coming along, and I may share a snippet or two of the manuscript.
And for those that are going to ask — Yes, I WILL continue to write more books in the Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman series. 🙂
T is for Tarot — A-Z Challenge
I must admit that I don’t know much about Tarot cards and readings, but I’m kind of fascinated. I’m considering featuring them in the PCM series….
A friend sent me a deck for my birthday. This was the very first card I pulled from it. Fitting, don’t you think?
P is for Psychic — A-Z Challenge
If you’ve read the CONFESSIONS OF A SLIGHTLY NEUROTIC HITWOMAN or MATCHMAKER MYSTERIES series you’ve probably guessed that Armani Vasquez and her psychic abilities hold a special place in my heart.
(Learn more about her in A is for Armani post.)
I mean how can you not love a woman who reads Scrabble tiles and names her business PMS (Psychic Matchmaking Service)?
If you’ve followed this blog for a while, you may have seen me mention my secret PCM project. This is a brand new series I’m launching in the next few months. I’m so excited to share it with you.
I’ll tell you now that the P is for Psychic.
Not Armani.
Somebody else.
Intrigued???
B is for Books — A-Z Challenge
Books! Glorious books!
Someone recently asked me which of the books I’ve written is my favorite. An impossible question!!
Right now, since I’m excited to be working on it, my semi-secret PCM project (which will hopefully be out in June!) is my current favorite.
As for my published stories, THE HITWOMAN GETS LUCKY holds a special place in my heart.
Meet Maggie, the queen of misadventures, in this light-hearted novella.
Maggie Lee’s a lot of things:
The daughter of a mom in a mental institution and a dad serving time;
The niece of three meddling aunts;
The aunt (and now legal guardian) of her beloved niece, Katie;
The friend of a snarky lizard, a dyslexic Doberman, and a semi-psychic co-worker;
A contract killer.
But one thing she’d never thought she’d be is a thief.
That’s about to change as she heads to the casinos of Atlantic City to
help her sexy murder mentor, Patrick Mulligan, steal something from a professional thief.
Maggie’s never been lucky in love or money. Will this gamble pay off or will she lose her shirt, her heart or even her life?
This was my third entry in the CONFESSIONS OF A SLIGHTLY NEUROTIC HITWOMAN series, and the first I self-published.
If you haven’t checked it out yet, it’s fun and FREE!
100 Happy Days — Day 1
Ugh, I know, I’m terrible about blogging. Sorry!!!!
I decided to take on the 100 Happy Days Challenge, where I’ll try to share something that makes me happy every day.
Here’s DAY 1 of 100
Hiking through a nature preserve…despite the fact my shoes ended up covered in muck.
Spending time in nature helps to recharge my creative juices. (Coffee does this too, but fresh air does it without the jitters.)
Something else that’s making me happy is the work I’m doing on my secret PCM project. I’d been stuck on it for quite a while, but now I’m busy writing it.
Creative October
When I lived in New Jersey, Autumn was my favorite season. Cooler temps and changing leaves were my groove. Now I live in Southwest Florida and despite the Pumpkin Spice everything in the stores, there’s really no such thing as Fall.
I miss the changing of the seasons if only because they forced me to look at the world differently. Feeling like I need that little jolt of inspiration, I, one of the least artistic people ever to roam the planet, has signed up for Creative Sprint. So I’ll be “making” something every day for the next thirty days. I’ll be sharing my creations on Instagram so follow if you think you’d enjoy laughing at my creative endeavors.
October will be a busy month as I publish THE HITWOMAN AND THE GOLD DIGGER, finish writing book 20 in the Hitwoman series (so far, it’s soooo much fun!) and work on my secret PCM project that will be published next year.
Also, on the days the heat index is less than 100, I’ll be trying to find fallen leaves with my mutt.
Cover Reveal — The Hitwoman and the Gold Digger
Book 19 in the CONFESSIONS OF A SLIGHTLY NEUROTIC HITWOMAN series will be out in October of 2018.
I can’t wait for everyone to read Maggie’s latest adventure.
Meanwhile I’m working on Hitwoman 20 (out December 2018) and the first book in my new PCM series which will be out in 2019.
Almost as exciting as that first cup of coffee in the morning.
Almost….. 😉