We can finally open the windows in our house now and let the crisp, cooler air blow through, moving out and away some of the mental health issues that plagued the last couple of months. A combination of things became a slow slide I struggled to stop.
But, once again, I've regrouped. My birthday was last month, and I'm grateful for another year, another chance to breathe fresh air, to walk with my husband beneath palm trees and blue skies, to pet the tortoises, and to pen the possibilities – the light and the dark - living in my imagination.
WRITING
I was thrilled to be one of three winners in a recent flash fiction contest held by lit agent, Janet Reid! I so needed that creative boost. Here's the link to the results post where you can read all three stories.
It's been a few years since I participated in NaNo, and I considered it this time around, but I don't have the oomph for it. I'm doing my own looser version in order to get this novel/novella done or as close to done as I can before the month is over. Please wish me luck!
READING
Both THE TRAP by Catherine Ryan Howard and THE LAST ONE by Will Dean were so suspenseful and twisty, I almost got paper cuts I turned those pages so fast and furious.
I thoroughly enjoyed the debut novel, THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY by Brendan Slocumb. It's a tense mystery whose characters practically jump off the page.
Are you enjoying the weather where you are? Read anything amazing lately? Any writing goals or goals in general for this month? If you're participating in NaNo, I wish you all the luck and all the words!
That's awesome you were a winner! Digging the cooler weather, but as it's forty-five degrees here, don't think I will be opening any windows.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alex!
DeleteI'm just so happy to be able to open the windows, I'd probably still at least crack it open at 45 degrees. Just for a couple of minutes. Then I'd have some hot chocolate. :)
Congrats on winning the contest. That's a huge accomplishment. It's in the 40's here. But it's not so bad to be outside when the sun's out like today.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Natalie! I was thrilled to be one of the three winners. :)
DeleteSunshine makes all the difference to me.
Doing something your way is always highly recommended. More in it for you—especially if there are presents. hehehe
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS on the contest. She's a tough cookie and so is the contest. I'm so proud of you.
I really do need to set up some rewards for myself. :)
DeleteThanks so much, Anna! I'm proud to be among so many good entries/stories.
Hugs. I pride myself on my mental stability and never even notice when I am being "crazy" until I hit the wall. Then I'm like, damn, I'm not as together as I thought I was. But that's okay. It's usually my body's wake up call to my brain to take better care of myself. I hope you're feeling better and stronger. Remember to be kind to yourself!!!
ReplyDelete(And think of me whilst walking under palm trees...I'm not above living vicariously!!)
Thank you, Elizabeth. I am not very good at being kind to myself. Beating myself up, though, I've got that down.
DeleteEvery time I look out and see palm trees, I'm amazed I am where I am. :)
It's been nice to be able to open up windows again. Congrats on your flash fiction win—that's so exciting!!—and best of luck with your novel/novella!! I'm rooting for you!!
ReplyDeleteI figured you'd understand the windows part. :)
DeleteThank you! And I can use all the cheering on I can get. :)
Congrats for the win for your short story. It's the time of year we have to close our windows. No NaNo for me either. Hope things stay on the upswing for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan!
DeleteHoping things stay on the upswing for all of us. :)
Congrats on the win!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWe have had a couple of those three hour cold fronts Florida sees before the upper states freeze over and it gets close to cold here (Tampa).
ReplyDeleteI am almost back into good enough shape to get a few walks in, get back into a kayak, and get a god awfully late veggie garden in.
In between those I had to go to New Zealand for a few days. I was delivering a product that a Maori company ordered and they sent a private jet to come and get it. They also gave me a ride back, so it was so much easier than flying commercial. That is something I want to give up, having been in Budapest when the Covid landed.
On walks I like to carry a pair of 5 pound weights with me. It helps to activate the core muscles and get rid of the gut I got when my sciatic nerve was pissed off at me.
I got a shout out in that same FF contest of the Queens, but didn't repeat that this week. Spending what free time I can find writing a supernatural/horror YA thing, but it seems every genre I try just filled up and closed down.
I hope you are getting yourself right.
It's in the fifties now, and I've got those windows open - aaaah!
DeleteA veggie garden here would quickly become a tortoise buffet. :)
Well done on the FF shout out, Craig! Good luck with that ms. This novel/novella I'm working on is sort of horror, sort of . . . something else, but I'm still going to finish it and see what happens.
Read your story. It's got that bittersweet, yet chilling angle to it. Is she really forgetting? Or is it something more nefarious? Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteI recall when my grandmother forgot me. She stared at me, and I finally asked her if she knew who I was. She said no. I said, "I'm Loni." "Loni? But you're old!" A 90yo woman called me, a 20-something, old. I loved that woman so much, and I miss her.
I hope the issues that plagued you this past month continue to get better and you're able to find a way through it all for good. Good luck in November!
Loni, you totally got what I was going for with that story! :)
DeleteI bet your grandmother knows how much you love her and miss her.
Thanks, Loni. I don't know that the issues will ever go away for good, but I'm working on managing everything the best I can.
I was positive I'd commented on this post! I'm so glad your feeling better - changing season is just a great reset. And congrats on being a winner - a perfectly subtle and poignant feel to it.
ReplyDeleteNo worries, Annalisa!
DeleteThe cooler weather and the daylight starting earlier have definitely helped.
Thank you!