Monthly Review

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I came into July expecting to be posting. I got my IWSG post up on the 1st. On the 3rd, my mom told the family she was stopping her chemo treatments while we were all together at my older sister's where she was taking care of her. On the 7th, my older sister called my younger sister frantic because some of the things mom was saying was scaring her, so we went back up to her house. On the 10th, we watched our mom die.

Fortunately, we were "prepared" generally, if not emotionally. She had been battling Stage 4 lung cancer for 18 months, which is more than what our local doctors predicted, and thankfully my older sister set her up with Fox Chase, who took great care of her. She had a tumor wrapped around her bronchus. After her first 6 months of chemo, it was gone, but the metastases weren't changing, and her body was starting to shut down on the new chemo. She did not want to be incapacitated. She used to tell us that even when she was healthy. Emotionally, we're pretty wrecked. The deterioration happened so fast. At the end of June, she was walking around. Two weeks later, she was gone.

My younger sister and I stayed at our older sister's from the 7th through my birthday on the 19th. We mostly sat in mom's in-law suite and every now and then looked over at her recliner where she sat and slept the last few days before my sister ordered her a hospice bed. My older sister, brother-in-law, and niece had been living with mom for about a year. They bought their home specifically so she could move in with them. We had all hoped for more time for her, especially for her to do more than just be sick and get treatment.

I haven't recovered from that night. Thursday morning to Friday evening, aside from maybe 2 hours of sleep, was one long day. My younger sister and I don't really leave our rooms except to work. If I could've, I would have taken the whole month off. I went back to work last Wednesday, and I plan to return to my part time this week. I had just started reading a new book, but I haven't really touched it since the beginning of July. I had also just started writing again, so I'm trying to pick it back up. Trying to "get back to normal" isn't really something I want to do without it involving calling or seeing my mom. But this is where I am.

I wish I had a more positive update, but unfortunately, I don't.

Insecure Writer's Support Group: Industry Changes

It is the 1st of July and the first Wednesday of the month, so that means it is time for another Insecure Writer's Support Group post. Thank you to Alex J. Cavanaugh and the co-hosts this month for keeping this program alive for writers to share their insecurities and successes. If you are a writer, please join us by visiting the IWSG website and signing up!

I'm in a better head space to blog this month. I took an inadvertent month off, which was much needed. But do remember as your timelines and media return to "normal," the systems of this country still need to be rebuilt to work for all of its citizens, and arrests still have not been made for Breonna Taylor's killers.

This month's IWSG question is: There have been many industry changes in the last decade, so what are some changes you would like to see happen in the next decade?

Well, in the wake of the spike in tragedies that occurred in May, many publishing companies decided to open their submissions to black writers. This is interesting because there has been a huge lack of diversity in traditional publishing, from the agency to the writers, for as long as publishing companies have been prominent. Many who received this news rightfully thought, "Now, you want to look at our work?" Most black writers, including myself, have turned to self-publishing because publishers have only been interested in black voices if they provide a look into black pain. Otherwise, agents "loved but didn't connect with" our work (and often, they've already filled their quota on black authors or books about black characters, sometimes not even written by black writers).

So in the next decade, if these publishing companies truly care to represent more diverse authors and aren't just opening their gates for optics right now, I hope this sudden interest in black writers does not die down and that more of our stories--and not just the ones that center our suffering--can be accepted by the industry.

I Can't Do IWSG Today

It's been a very tough few weeks, so when I saw the IWSG email come through I had a feeling things would be going on as usual. Just know your black writer friends probably aren't okay. If you haven't already, please support them by speaking out against police brutality, and that includes violence by police during peaceful protests. If you are silent, you are complicit.

Monthly Review

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Happy Wednesday!

It's the last Wednesday of the month, and that means it's time for a review of May. Not much has happened really. Most of us are stuck in the house. I'm currently typing this in my office because my laptop wouldn't let me go one move without freezing. Ick.

Last Friday marked 4 weeks since my last chemo treatment. I had my PET scan Tuesday, and I go back on June 5th to see if I'm cancer free. Hodgkin's Lymphoma is highly curable, so my hopes are high.

The movie The Lovebirds hit Netflix this weekend, so my sister and I watched it. It's hilarious! A great mystery/rom-com that I recommend.

I'm currently playing the Final Fantasy VII remake, and I LOVE it. I said this on Twitter, but it definitely succeeds where FFXV failed. It also gives us more fleshed out locations, stories, and side quests. The only complaint I've had so far is Barrett's VO actor is pretty bad, and they straightened his hair for some reason. But those are minor details in the grand scheme of things. I can't wait to keep playing.

I hope to finish the book I've been struggling through before the month is up. I think I have close to 100 pages left. At this point, I think it's the book, as I said the last time.

I have some more writing ideas floating in my head, so I plan to put them into Word soon. That will help my word count for the quarter. Ha.

How is everyone else doing?

May Writing Update (Sort of)

Happy Wednesday!

So, as you probably didn't notice, there was no Wednesday Words. I'm still reading The Killing Moon, and it's been hard. I'll read two pages and then get on my phone. I might not be all that into this book, which I can't expect to love every book of N.K. Jemisin's, but it's hard when you don't love your favorite author's work. It's happened with my other favorites, though, so eh.

On Monday, I read the 2nd installment of her Far Sector comic, which is really good. I think I have the 3rd. I'll check. Of course, comics are much easier to get through.

Anyway, this is supposed to be a writing update. I did write a little more since last month, but I'm hesitating on the next scene. Partially because I need to figure out the dialogue and see if it's time for a breakthrough I've been working on. I did have a few more ideas pop up to make the plot make sense, so I'm definitely grateful for that.

How's everyone else doing?

Insecure Writer's Support Group - In the Zone

Happy May! This will be a short post.

It's already time for another installment of the Insecure Writer's Support Group, where we writers share our insecurities and accomplishments! Stop by the IWSG website and our founder, Alex J. Cavanaugh's, website to join in on the fun! here are co-hosts and hundreds of writers who participate.

The question of the month is: Do you have any rituals that you use when you need help getting into the ZONE? Care to share?

I usually read what I just wrote so I can pick back up where I left off. Sometimes I brainstorm in my head, especially if I'm stuck on a scene. I definitely have conversations for the characters, which I know probably looks crazy, but no one's in here but my sister.

How is everyone doing? Did anyone A to Z? I feel like that went by quietly. I'm doing one of those daily song challenges on Instagram. That's about it.

Hopefully everyone and your loved ones are healthy. Please stay safe out there.

Quarterly Goals

It is the 5th Wednesday of April, so that means I am looking at and making my goals for the quarter. How has everyone done with their April challenges? Has anyone done them?

This time last quarter, I was halfway through my chemo treatments, which I have now finished! The days didn't go by quickly, but I'm grateful to God that He brought me through it. My family and friends threw me a surprise social distance-approved bell ringing as I pulled up to my sister's house. That made me feel good. My mom also felt good enough to cook, so I had her meatloaf and mashed potatoes, which I hadn't had in years. My friends also threw me a Zoom party, but I was too sleepy to stay by the time I got home. Needless to say, I had a great last day of treatment.

This time last quarter was also two months before COVID-19 really broke out over here, so...yeah. Anyway, my goals for last quarter included:

eating better/cooking more/grocery shopping more - I have actually cooked a few times, done more grocery shopping than I ever have before, and eaten more fruit and vegetables. But I'm still a sucker for a sausage Mcmuffin with egg;

exercise on my good days - because I'm working from home, I have taken walks, danced, and worked out on my lunch breaks. It's definitely helped boost my activity and kept me from going stir crazy;

and reading/writing more - I think I mentioned both in my last posts. I've gotten back into both in one way or another. Reading my last quarterly goals, I realize I need to peek into my NA fantasy to see what notes I left. It's sad that I don't remember.

My goals for this next quarter are relatively the same. I'd like to get back into shape, lose 10 pounds and keep them off over the next 6 months. I did it once upon a time. I was in my twenties at the time, but we'll see what happens.

Did you guys make any goals for the quarter?

April Writing Update and Monthly Review

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Last Thursday, I realized I forgot to post a writing update, and fortunately I saw my post about it last week and remembered what today is before I could completely forget my monthly review. I need to do better. Here's both at the same time!

It has been 5 weeks since COVID-19 really started hitting the scene, and I think 3 weeks since I have been telecommuting. I have done a little writing, but I may have read and rearranged more words than I've written. I plan to do a little more writing today, and certainly more reading this week. I do know what needs to be written, so it's just a matter of actually doing so.

At the beginning of the month, a group of writers I'm in had an Instagram Hop and gave away our books to one winner. It was fun and gave us a little more exposure. I need to do more marketing and promotions. I use Facebook's ad campaign every now and then, but I know I can do more. I joined a promotional group this week, so we'll see how it goes.

This Friday is my last chemo treatment! It's been a long 6 months, but I'm glad that it's almost over. My last scans looked great, so I expect the next one to be great, too. I can't wait for my life to go back to normal, current situation notwithstanding. Feeling sick every other week hasn't been a good time. I just pray the lymphoma stays away and I can be in the number of survivors!

How has everyone's month been going? Please continue to stay indoors, especially per the CDC guidelines. We are all experiencing a new normal right now, and guess what? That's actually okay! This will pass, but we have to actually let it.

Wednesday Words: N.K. Jemisin's The Killing Moon

Happy Wednesday! We are at the second Wednesday of April, and that means I share with you all what I am reading.

I forgot to share last month, but I also hadn't really done much reading. I've finally consistently started reading the Dreamblood Duology like I said I would in January. Click here to refresh your memory.

The first book is The Killing Moon, and now that I'm into it, I can share a line from a random page. Random.org chose page 100. The context of the passage I want to share bleeds into page 101, so here is a line from 101.

Now Nijiri's face seemed calm, but his body was rigid, betraying feelings that perhaps even he did not yet fully understand.

I should never have allowed you to choose me as your mentor. Selfish of me, and confusing to you. Poor child.

A complicated relationship I want to see play out whichever way it goes.

What are you reading this month?

Insecure Writer's Support Group

April is here! That means it's already time for yet another installment of the Insecure Writer's Support Group! You can visit the site and join us at the previous link. Also be sure to visit Alex J. Cavanaugh, our founder, and co-hosts to show them some love!

I've already said how I'm doing last week, so here is a little something from the support group heads:

The IWSG’s focus is on our writers. Each month, from all over the globe, we are a united group sharing our insecurities, our troubles, and our pain. So, in this time when our world is in crisis with the covid-19 pandemic, our optional question this month is: how are things in your world?

I want to hear from you! Stay safe out there.

Monthly Review

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What a difference a month makes.

A month ago, I started Door Dashing to make some extra money. 2 weeks later, the corona virus hit my state, and yesterday, I heard there was a case in one of the local school districts, so with my compromised immune system, I am officially home for 5 of 7 days. I still have to come into the office 2 days because of my timekeeping duties, but when I receive a laptop with remote access, I will be home each day. Last week, just being home 4 days drove me a little crazy. I just have to find things to do, and I'm not without things to do!

Here is a list I posted to my personal Facebook:

Read more than 5 page at a time.

Finally get some artwork started.

Catch up on anime I never finished.

Watch more Chinese dramas and dònghuà (Chinese version of anime).

Get back on Duolingo.

See if I can still tell the BTS members apart.

Clean.

What are you doing while you're being safe and staying home as much as possible?

March Writing Update

Happy Wednesday!

I forgot about Wednesday Words last week, but I've been reading very sporadically this year, so I'm unfortunately on the same book I was reading February. I've been writing at a better pace, though, so at least I have that.

I hope everyone hasn't already gone stir-crazy with the quarantines and states of emergency. As a writer, reader, and a gamer, it's easy to say this is what I've prepared for my entire life, but there are extroverts and people with social depression out there who need the interaction with others. On the bright side, I heard on the radio that China only had one new case, so hopefully the end is near soon. Until it is, I get to telecommute three of my five work days, so I'll be . . . doing about the same amount of work, really, just while I'm also doing laundry.

Yesterday, I joined a potential Instagram hop for authors of color, so hopefully we have enough to get that ball rolling. There's also a book giveaway attached to that, and because I purchased books for my church's Black History exhibit, I actually have one left that I can use for this!

Have a safe rest of the week!

Insecure Writer's Support Group: Pen Names Queston

It's already March! That means it's already time for yet another installment of the Insecure Writer's Support Group! You can visit the site and join us at the previous link. Also be sure to visit Alex J. Cavanaugh, our founder, and our co-hosts to show them some love!

The question for this month is: Other than the obvious holiday traditions, have you ever included any personal or family traditions/customs in your stories?

I can't think of any off the bat, so I don't think I have. But, as I said, I'm working on a contemporary romance, so that will most likely be where one will pop up.

In other news, I want to see what others think: I've had this corny idea in my head for a while to change my pen name depending on the genre I'm writing. This would mainly be for if I'm still self-publishing, I think, and I don't even plan to branch out of speculative fiction too often. But I am working on a contemporary romance. Would fantasy readers get confused if I kept my pen name but the book is a romance? I would like to be easy to find across the board, but I kind of want my name to reflect the genre as well. Maybe I'm thinking too much into it, though. What do you all think?