Time in a Bottle
That’s the song I’m listening to now. It used to be my parents’ song (before they got divorced) so there is kind of an underlying melancholy to it for me, but it’s still a beautiful song. Don McLean’s entire American Pie album (with the exception of “Everybody Loves Me” and the one about mother nature having it out for him…I forget the name) is also brilliant. In case you can’t guess, I listened to it before Jim Croce.
I was going to write a long blog post, but I’ve lost the thread, and I think I’d rather take a shower and call it a night. So that this is not a complete waste, here’s the Don McLean album I mentioned on YouTube. (I did not upload it).
and here’s a few covers I’ve been working on:
Have a good one!
Jo π
Zum Bars
I got mostly caught up on book covers today, did some file cleaning, and formatted the document and made a wrap around for one of my mother’s poetry books to be printed in paper back. Oh, and I typed up my great grandmother’s poetry – or the little bit of it we have. I thought about putting it on smashwords. I can’t imagine anyone else in the family having a problem with it, especially since I’d make it free. I’m also kicking around the idea of putting it in a book called “Generations of Verse” or “Legacy of Rhyme” or something cooler but along those lines, and including her poems, a selection of my mother’s, and some of mine. I haven’t mentioned it to mom yet, but I can’t see her objecting. Just haven’t decided on it all. It would also be free too. I don’t think poetry books are big sellers, anyway, and I’m not really known as a poet…
There’s no new house news. I broke down today and opened my zum bar. What is this? Zum bars are only the most awesome goat milk soap in the world!
I bought this last year at the super Hy-Vee in Springfield with the idea that we’d only open it when the bathroom was finished. Fast forward a year and the paneling is not up, nor are the vents swapped out. But I needed a freshly scented, creamy soap pick me up, so I caved and opened it anyway. Otherwise I may never get to enjoy it. (Yes. I enjoy soap. And showers.)
Hubby is concerned we may not go anywhere this weekend, though I didn’t tell him, I don’t think it would be a bad thing. Maybe we could FINALLY get the paneling cut and put up. Then we’d need to paint and poly. Or maybe we should cut, then paint, then poly, then hang. But that always means touch ups…. Hmmmm…
I need to get back to the laundry cabinet now that the cover rush is over. Speaking of covers, I’ll close with a few and then I am off to bed.
Have a good one!
Jo π
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Hiding Out
the original cover concepts that no longer match the series lol!
I’ve been offline for several reasons, one of which is that I am working on Patrick, the prequel novel to the Amaranthine series. This one stars Patrick, Katelina’s friend with benefits who is murdered on page 1 of Shades of Gray (the first book in the series). I don’t know why this guy is such a strong character. I’ve always wanted to write him, and then I did a character interview with him and it really clinched it. I HAD to write him – but the original version had some massive time line issues (which I am resolving) and it wasn’t popular with the betasΒ for a few reasons. One of them was style.
At least in my rough drafts, the character determines the style, not me. For instance Patrick didn’t like descriptions, or even scene set up. The scenes tend to start in the middle, with someone speaking or something happening, and then a brief backtrack to explain anything relevant. It would work great for TV or a graphic novel where the “back track” can be done with visual aids, such as the setting and other characters present, but in book form a couple of betas found it “confusing” and “choppy”. He also likes lots of dashes and a lot of italicized thoughts (I’m leaving those), and he doesn’t really like the sex scenes described (which is funny because he’s kind if a slut. I think his slutty-ness embarrasses him). So, part of this rework is to try to smack it closer to the same style as the rest of the series – add some descriptions, scene set ups, deal with the abrupt openings and closings.
Another complaint was the New Adult drama vibe happening – yeah, there’s a girl playing the “guess who my baby’s Dad is?” for the first 3/8 but she’s a catalyst (and the cause of those time line issues) and pretty much the reason a lot of events happening. Not only that, but that’s the area these people are in. Patrick’s 25, but he’s one of those who are still clinging to being 19 – they haven’t quite given up the idea of being a kid yet even though people around them are growing up, and there are younger people folded into the group.
I could go on, but it would mainly just be a long post defending a book no one is attacking at the moment. And if if it was attacked, I think it’s weak for an author – or artist of any kind – to jump up and defend the piece. It stands on its own and doesn’t need the creator to justify it. If it does, then maybe the attacks have some merit.
Okay. I won’t bore you with a lot of nothing (which aside from Patrick and some book covers is what I have done), so I’ll just say “Happy Tuesday” and move on.
Have a good one!
Jo π
P.S. Some bonus book covers:
Facebook Free Day 1
After last night’s melt down (I had several other rants but I didn’t publish them), I have sworn off Facebook for awhile. I know it’s the top marketing social network, and by staying away I’m losing Klout scores and dropping off of people’s streams, so when I do go back fewer paper will see my posts (features meant to keep you there and keep you active!) But I’m willing to risk it because otherwise I am going to be really rude to some people. And I think that’s worse for my image.
So how did I do? It’s only fair to say that while I did turn notifications off, I left pokes, the Facebook messenger, and birthday notices, so I can still tell people happy birthday. And messenger I talk to important people through – like we’re planning a bbq in one chat – and poking is just pointless button pushing, so why not? But other than that, no posts, no stream, no checking to see what comments people wrote on my stuff. Even though mom tried to tempt me by saying that 30-some people liked my last post. Heck, I did not even post photos. Not even this cool one:
Though people may get photos tomorrow since that’s when the aforementioned BBQ is and my friend is a selfie whore π (nothing wrong with that).
Anyway, the first thing to note is that I survived. Yes, even without cat memes. The second thing is that hubby, who has not given it up, spent quality time showing me all the “funny stuff” on his stream (no cats, though. We have different taste in funny.). So whether you can count it as Facebook Free, or really just Facebook interaction free, I don’t know.
On with the day. Helped the aunt and uncle unload a uhaul and Dad apparently wanted to go out to eat, so we decided to try the new pizza place in Red Oak – except it was closed. So we went to the Rainbow Cafe instead.
It was a cute Cafe/bar. Hubby went for the big 50/50 burger:
And I opted for chicken strips.
The ‘rents were just happy to find a place finally that serves breakfast all day. That’s not popular around here for some reason.
I can’t think of much else to say except to rant about people vandalizing artwork (which infuriates me), so I’ll end this and hit the hay.
Have a good one!
Jo π
P.S. here’s some book covers I’ve done semi-recently.
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Sooooooo Tired
Another late night. This time Dad and I started season 2 of the Three Musketeers. We haven’t seen season one, but that makes no difference to the mad DVD buyer, Lol!
Today was mostly cloudy with a little sun.
Hubby got some good news, which I’ll share when he gives me the go ahead, so we went out to celebrate at J’s Pizza.
Aside from that I worked on my Amaranthine Encyclopedia. I am almost done with all of the A pages. Just one left, then it’s on to B. I’ll share a few tomorrow maybe. (I’m on my phone and they’re on my laptop). I’m going to give the full color PDF for free to newsletter subscribers. Past that I have not decided. I do know one thing, if that cat wakes me up at 9 a.m. again I may sell her to a roving band of gypsies. She’s done it every day for the last week.
On a better note, I leave you with flowers.
Have a good night and send headache relief this way.
Jo π
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Omaha and a Birthday
Score another point for a boring title. Yesterday we went to Omaha. OK, mostly Council Bluffs, but I count it as all the same place.
First we went to the mall of the bluffs to get Hubby’s license renewed, only the drivers license place was closed (it’s the only one in the region that is supposedly open on Saturdays) but the trip wasn’t wasted as we found the railroaders club.
There was also a toy store there, where I found a barbie camper for $15!
How awesome is that??? I have always wanted one so – yay!!
From there we had other shopping. Kmart was a debacle from hell, though the employees were awesome, and eventually we ended up back in Shen, at Walmart, where we stupidly looked to buy fake flowers.
As it turned out we wanted the greenery, and there was just enough of those left, so we were okay.
After that was the birthday party for bill.
Then home again. All in all a good day. You’d get more details but I’m tired and my foot is asleep, so I’m leaving you for now.
Have a good one,
Jo π
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Writing and Living with Daylight
It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged regularly. I think I’m having a hard time working it into our new schedule. Yes, I said schedule. I know, it’s weird, but we need one if we ever plan to get things done. It starts by getting up in the morning (the real morning), having lunch at noon or thereabouts, dinner at six – pm not am – and then was supposed to entail going to bed by ten except instead I’ve scheduled every night after hubby goes to bed for something. Monday is when the brother and I do our Habi Makeover pets, Tuesday we write on the fantasy novel we’re working on (more later), Wednesday is supposed to be for me to write a short story (Tales of the Executioners. Hint. It hasn’t happened yet), Thursday I am supposed to write with another friend on a book ( we haven’t actually managed to do it yet. I think she’s been busy) and Fridays were supposed to be final fantasy night (the video game that is) but hubby has worked non stop Saturdays, so that rules out his staying up.
So, that fantasy book I mentioned. It’s based on posts from a fantasy role play group my brother and I were in called Shenovah. This was back in the mid 2000s on yahoo groups (I used to have so much fun in those!). Anyway, we’ve kicked around making it into a novel series (we’re series kind of people) for years because the world in the RP was all original, and we’ve even hacked at it a few times. Well, we’re finally buckling down and doing it. We’re 80 pages in and at the end of all the pre-written stuff. (Alas the RP group, while fun, was the last one we were involved in. By then everyone in our RP circle had gotten too busy, me included, and the story just sputtered out. The unceremonious end is part of why we wanted to finish it), so from here on its going to be all original, which is more work I think. Rewriting is easier because you have a framework in place already. Though, when we’re done, I’ll still have to go back and rewrite my character’s first chapter ( we’re doing multiple PoV) because I had long ago lost the feel for her and now that I’m finally getting one it’s different than she used to be.
Speaking of old projects, I’m chomping a bit to get on our Thursday writing, too. It’s another project that has been started, restarted, and restarted, again and again. I think we’ve finally discovered the key, so I know if we could just get together on it it could really fly along.
Then of course there’s my vampires. I’ve been supposed to be organizing my notes – that was April’s job – so in May I could start reworking the prequel Patrick to give away to email subscribers. BUT the notes aren’t done yet. I’m on H. I start doing it (usually while the others are watching Game of Thrones – another long story but suffice to say they stated without me and so I don’t know what’s going on, so I don’t watch it, with the hope that someday the universe will align and I’ll have time for more TV and get to watch it on my own or with hubby) but after organizing two or three characters, I get bored and “wander off” to do something else. Three hours later it’s 1 AM and past bed time. *sigh*. I need to knuckle down.
I did have an amazing revelation about book 8 though. There will be at least two more books – I’m kicking around Masque of the Vampire and Goddess of Night for the titles – and then we’ll see. I’m torn on it because I’d happily write them forever, but I worry fans will get bored with it if it drags on for too many books. On the other hand, there are series like Anita Blake or Discworld that have double digit books. I have a poll about it on my website… Let me find the link… http://www.joleenenaylor.com/books/polls.php – if you have an opinion feel free to leave it. You can pick multiple choices, and it’s anonymous. Though as I said, I’m thinking two books more instead of just the one, but we’ll see.
Now that I’ve bored everyone with writing stuff, here’s some even more boring stuff! The kitchen is finally completely organized – even the fridge magnets!
Yeah, I kind of collect them.
We even got the properly sized curtain rods so the curtains don’t fall down anymore.
We just need to build the cubby shelf, buy a countertop, put up the back splash, change the outlets, and put up quarter round. Oh, and hubby needs to build my garbage can cart. But we’re getting closer.
And I need to finish organizing the recipes.
I had planned to do yard work but it’s been raining for days.
And to circle back to books, I finally own the complete set of my own books with the new covers, including Vampire Morsels.
The tower is supposed to be the one Claudius storms. Okay. Truthfully it just looked cool and I thought “well, I could pretend it’s Claudius’s tower” :p
Dinner is hopefully done so I am gonna end this here.
Have a good one!
Jo π
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American Horror Story
So the best friend’s daughters were over and we watched American Horror Story season three. We’ve been planning it for awhile now but various things kept coming up. Anyway, we’re ready for episode seven when we had to quit. Next weekend or the week after I hope to finish it. I expected not to like it as much as season 1 and 2 because it’s witches and primarily female (and several of the reoccurring female actresses get on my nerves) but in true AHS fashion the story has me gripped. I wish Evan Peters was in it more though.
It’s still springy out. I need to go take photos of flowers. Meanwhile, the brother brought these home.
They smell pretty. Since I’ve done nothing interesting, here are two cat photos.
Oh, there was one interesting thing. Though maybe I’m just paranoid after watching AHS. Hubby and I took a quick tour around town that included the cemetery. There’s an older section in the back (this is the area that has the mysterious mist when the brother and I first went through), as we turned the corner into the older part, I suddenly got sick at my stomach, like ready to throw up sick. As I was trying to decide whether to comment on it, hubby says “wow, I suddenly don’t feel good. Like really not good.”
We left, quickly. Now that we’re home we both feel better. Lesson learned, I am not going there at dusk anymore.
Also there is a funny one. So when we bought the house we put hubby and the brother’s names on it, well everyone assumed they were a gay couple and though we’ve been here for months we haven’t really gotten into the community yet. Anyway, so the brother and hubby took the littlest daughter down to the park while we were watching AHS and the brother looks at hubby and says “great. Now everyone thinks the gay couple adopted a daughter.”
Maybe you had to be there.
Okay, battery low and I’m out of stuff anyway, so have a good one.
Jo π
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Foodies Blog
Today was not very exciting. I got some book covers done, I updated the first three of my books, in all their formats and sellers, with the new links and bio, and I put together the collector’s editions of books two and three. Lots of work but not much for interesting blogging.
Something crappy was our set of Saiyuki Reload. We bought the whole 101 episode set that spans three series (Saiyuki, reload, and reload gun lock) only episodes 14-26 of Reload aren’t there. The disc is there but it has episodes 1-13 over again.
Say what?
I didn’t bother contacting the seller because it came shrink wrapped, brand new, meaning he didn’t have the episodes either, and all he can do is refund our money if I send the set back, which I’m not doing. So instead we found the missing episodes on four discs via Amazon (Reload was released originally on a seven disc set) and I have ordered them. We just have to wait.
OK. Enough boring for one blog. It seems the only thing I photographed today was food, so enjoy.
And now I must bathe and then go to bed. Have a good one!
Jo π
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Cloudy Monday
I didn’t do anything worth mentioning today. It was a lazy day, I admit. But then cloudy days are good for that.
Actually it was a lovely day and hubby and I went for a long walk after he got home but my phone was dead so no photos to share. Beyond that I didn’t do anything noteworthy. The brother had two doctor appointments, stupidly spaced out, so that ate up most of the day. I did watch an interesting YouTube video. (Let’s see is this works on the mobile version)
[YouTube=https://youtube.com/watch?v=JQwJVfVAPLQ]
Did it? If so you have now learned the answer to a question your didn’t know you had. If not you’re not out anything.
Have a good one!
Jo π
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