Sidhe viewpoint, west of Loch Ness, Scotland When you've always dealt with something, you really don't think of it as a problem. You just deal with it, find a way, and keep going with life. I've discovered over the last decade or so that a number of things I thought were normal weren't. They were … Continue reading Knowing is half the battle

Loch Ness, Scotland There's this thing that happens on Twitter. A couple times a year, writers use specific hashtags to participate in what's called a PitMad. On this day, agents and publishers look at tweets with the hashtag and, if they like the author's pitch for their complete book, they like it. That's an invitation … Continue reading The unending optimism of the writer’s mind

Downtown Inverness, Scotland, and the River Ness I'm still around. It's been a few weeks since I last wrote a post. Things have been busy, or I wasn't sure what to write here. I started on anti-depressants, for one. They seem to be working. The few times I felt I was sliding down stopped after … Continue reading The box on the shelf

As of this morning, I'm no longer represented by Denise Barone. The choice was mine. I made it back in November, emailed her in December. She is an amazing woman, who knows romance like the back of her hand. She taught me a lot about writing, and what it means to have an agent. She's … Continue reading Inhale….exhale…repeat

Chapter Three Thia kept her focus on Jinaari’s back. Night had started to creep through the forest, though it would be an hour before the sun set. The dense woods created a canopy that made the light fade faster.             The paladin held up one hand, and she stopped. He whistled out three distinctive notes. … Continue reading Sneak Peek – Scales & Stingers Chapter 3!

Me and Muse It's been a crazy week for me. For one, I started on anti-depressants. Lowest does possible, obviously, but I needed the help. I'm not suicidal. The only harm I do to others is in my books, to fictional characters. But a downward spiral made life 5,000 shades of not fun for about … Continue reading Taking the win

Stirling Castle, Scotland I was up early this morning, around 4 am. If I had to work today, that would've been fine. The strike's still going, however, so I am home. Like most days, as soon as I woke up my brain started reminding me of all the stuff I either felt I needed to … Continue reading The productivity paradox

Sidhe Viewpoint, West of Loch Ness, Scotland So, this is 2022. No big difference that I can tell. We still have several inches of snow on the ground. I have things that need to be done (laundry, dishes, bills, grocery run). Might go to a museum later today. I'm feeling the need to be either … Continue reading Small steps lead to big changes

Alley in Inverness, Scotland So, this is Christmas 2021. Second time around during a pandemic, one that I fully believe could've been contained earlier, more completely, and resulted in more families celebrating with loved ones than holding onto memories. I believe in science, that people aren't inherently selfish, and are willing to sacrifice small comforts … Continue reading Pandemic Christmas take 2

My flight from Seattle to Glasgow, via Philadelphia - August 2018 At my last counseling session, I was given a diagnosis. I expected it, honestly, and it wasn't a surprise. Depression and anxiety. Not severe enough to warrant medication, but that may be an option if the behavioral therapy I'm slowly putting into place doesn't … Continue reading Giving myself permission