3/31/2025 It's An Author's Life

It was a beautiful week here in Oklahoma, aside from a hailstorm late in the week. I was able to sit outside one morning for a few hours before coming back in due to the wind picking up. I think that it was on Thursday. In contrast, I had to turn the heat back on in the house this morning, so I’m sitting here in sweatpants and a sweatshirt posting this. Gotta love spring when it is warm one day and chilly the next, and with a rainy week predicted, I don't think I'll be writing outside much this week.

Tuesday night I had an arts council meeting. It’s always nice to be around artistic people, and this group has a variety to be sure. Upcoming events were discussed, and the reopening of the Arts Shop is very close. I'm looking forward to it being open again and having a few of my books for sale there soon.

Chapter Chat, the library book club, meets tonight. I finished my selection for the month this time. The theme was/is gardens. I loved the book I read, and recommend it if you remember old Hollywood. If you are interested, you can read my review at: Simon's Book Treasures

I have a new re-release coming out tomorrow (April 1)! The Queen is a paranormal story of love lost then found, and is part of a collection of stories of ever-after love. You can purchase this amazing 12-author collection at: Ever-After: Volume One | Universal Book Links Help You Find Books at Your Favorite Store!

That’s about it for the past week. There wasn’t much time for anything fun and exciting between writing, promo, meetings, and church. It looks like April could be the same as I work to finish this book on time.

I can never thank you enough for continuing to read these snippets into my life as an author. I hope I haven’t bored you too much with them. 😊 After all, others’ lives are never as glamorous as we may think.

May your Kindle or bookshelf overflow with great books to read!

Maxine

3/24/25 It's An Author's Life

Man, what a crazy end to last week. There were several reports that Meta (Facebook, etc.) has been using author’s books for A.I. training. And guess what!? Two of my books were on the list!!! I’m not the only one. Some authors had several listed including any foreign language ones. Unfortunately, there’s no way to have them taken down. Fortunately, I joined a class action suit. Now it’s a waiting game.

So, I have changed how I do any promo to avoid having anything quoted from any of my books on Facebook, Instagram, or Threads (Meta sites). If you look at the tabs above, you’ll find one that says “BookQW/Book Promo.” This is where all my promo that I would normally post on the aforementioned social media sites will go. At least until the class action suit it settled. I apologize ahead of time if this causes any inconvenience, but I have to protect my books from being manipulated.

Then to top that off, I found nine of my books on a pirate site called Z-Library. After working on DMCAs all weekend, I have finally gotten that taken care of. They are still listed but there is a disclaimer indicating that due to copyright infringement they are no longer available for download. Where in the world do these toads come from? I can’t image how much in royalties I may have lost. Writing is a supplement to my income and no matter how much it is, that income helps keep me afloat.

How was the rest of the week before the A.I. mess? Miss Makenna was with me all week since it was spring break. She assured me that I could still write even if she was here. I just smiled knowing she always has good intentions. She is a thinker so if something is going on – especially when it involves the White House – she always has an opinion and voices it. Even when watching a movie or documentary, she is commenting and then you miss something and have to rewind to the point where she started commenting. As frustrating as this is, I love that she is this way and isn’t afraid to speak up around me or her dad.

I finished writing a chapter last night, which is a weekly goal of mine. One a week will have to change if I am to get this book done by May 1. So, it’s on to chapter 3 today.

I hope you had/have a great spring break with your family.

I can never thank you enough for continuing to read these snippets into my life as an author. I hope I haven’t bored you too much with them. 😊 After all, other’s lives are never as glamorous as we may think.

May your Kindle or bookshelf overflow with great books to read!

Maxine

3/17/25 It's An Author's Life

It’s not only St. Patrick's Day, but it is also the first day of spring break for Miss Makenna! Even at 17, she dislikes being home alone, which is fine with me. 😊 Now let’s see what kind of mischief I got into last week, shall we?

I decided to add a new feature here on my blog over the weekend. I’m going to post reviews of books I’ve finished reading and then on the first of the month post ten books that are going to be released that month. I hope that you’ll check out the Simon’s Book Treasures and Reviews tab above for my first book review.

Here in Oklahoma, we were under a fire warning last Friday. We also had hurricane-force winds which blew in dust from the west. I did lose a couple of shingles and am waiting for the roofers to get back to me on when they can come out. The town I live in was placed on voluntary evacuation for about an hour or so for a fire that wasn't far from my son's place; thankfully the fire department got the blaze under control fairly quickly and lifted the evacuation. As of today, we are once again under a red flag fire warning with high winds and dry conditions for the next few days.

I have turned the heat off in the house until at least December. Yes, it’s a bit chilly in the morning but nothing sweats and a blanket can’t handle. Oh, and a nice cup of hot coffee for me and hot chocolate for Makenna.

I took some time for myself and played bingo Thursday night at our local golf club. It was nice to get out of the house and around a few friends and away from my laptop. I won a box cutter, which I gave away. I didn’t win the jackpot, which is fine. The point was to get out and about for a few hours.

Speaking of sitting in front of the laptop. I have only 11,000 words to write to finish my Friday the 13^th story by May 1. Need time to get it to the editor, then formatted, and finally upload it onto KDP (Amazon) in time for the June 13 release. I have a few errands to run this morning, but after that, I’ll be working on that story.

Have a great week and open those windows to let the fresh air in when possible.

I can never thank you enough for continuing to read these snippets into my life as an author. I hope I haven’t bored you too much with them. 😊 After all, other’s lives are never as glamorous as we may think.

May the luck of the Irish bless your e-reader or bookshelf with an overflow of great books to read!

Maxine

3/10/25 It's An Author's Life

How are you doing with springing forward? It always takes me at least a week to adjust. My mind and body aren’t ready to get up at 8:00am (fka 7:00 am) just yet. I’ve been sleeping in pretty late according to my bedside clock. But like all things, this too shall pass. 😊

It was another quiet week for me. I did my usual promos. Tornado season has started in Oklahoma. I don’t remember which day it was, but my son and youngest granddaughter stayed overnight since we were at a level 6 out of 10 for having a tornado. We were blessed, and only had thunderstorms. However, I think there was something like 8 tornadoes in the state that night.

I attended a small local author group meeting Wednesday night at one of my favorite places, Shakespeare Wine Company. This is a new group trying to plant their feet on the ground. It is always nice to be around like-minded people. Will I attend next month? Probably.

I turned the heat off last night since it is supposed to be in the 70s during the day and 40s at night this week. It was pretty chilly in the house this morning (it was only in the 30s overnight) so I turned it back on. I am so ready for warmer temps.

I made a really good and easy stoop/soup that I found on Facebook in the slow cooker Saturday. I added a can of diced tomatoes to the mix and used ravioli since I couldn’t find tortellini in the freezer section. I might also use spaghetti next time instead of the tortellini or ravioli. It makes enough for a family, so if you’re single like me, you’ll have leftovers to freeze for another day.

One final note. I have a re-release coming out tomorrow, 3/11/25. I’m excited for my first publication with Rowan Prose Publishing to finally be available. Simply to Die For is a serial killer suspense and may trigger emotions in some readers, so please keep this in mind if you buy and read it.

Simon, my cat, has decided to get all up in my face and is putting himself between me and the laptop. Guess it means I’m done with today’s blog post.

Have a great week and open those windows to let the fresh air flow in when possible.

I can never thank you enough for continuing to read these snippets into my life as an author. I hope I haven’t bored you too much with them. 😊 After all, others’ lives are never as glamorous as we may think.

May your Kindle or bookshelf overflow with great books to read!

Maxine

3/3/25 It's An Author's Life

What a beautiful week it has been. I’ve been able to open a window and let the front door screen down as well. I love letting the fresh air in after being shut up for the cold winter months. It reminds me of those warmer Wisconsin winter days when it would get in the 20s and I’d open windows and clean. Breathe the freshness in before the steamy days of summer arrive.

Oklahoma has gone from frigid temps just a few weeks ago to the official start of tornado season over the weekend. Spring tornado season runs from now until at least June here in Oklahoma before the dog days of summer are upon us.

I attended my first CAAC (Chickasha Area Arts Council) meeting as a board member. I was on the Board 2018-2023, when I resigned to start taking care of my DIL. With her passing last summer, I returned as I wanted to be back in touch with art-minded people. I am known to arrive somewhere early, sometimes more than an hour early if I plan to get some writing done. And last Tuesday was no different. I am happy to say that I got several pages handwritten at CAAC headquarters, as I always was able to when I used to man the Area Arts Store. I am looking forward to finding my muse again.

Speaking of writing, the past week has not really been productive writing-wise, but all that is going to change. I have a book up for pre-order and due for a June 13 release, which I need to get to the editor by May 1! Luckily, it’s a novella and even though it’s out of my wheelhouse, I haven’t written paranormal for many years, I am looking forward to letting this story take shape.

Friday night was “girls’ night out” and we kicked up our heels at Legends Pub House and Venue, for a tribute to The Cars. While I wasn't a big fan of The Cars, I was chair dancing on more than one occasion. I had great fun with Carlotta, Amy, and Lisa that night, and I even ran into fellow local author and screenwriter Anna Kittrell and fellow CAAC & FOL board member Angela. Maggie and Shane of The Imaginaries were back in town and stopped in Legends to listen as well.

Have a great week and get out in the fresh air when possible.

I can never thank you enough for continuing to read these snippets into my life as an author. I hope I haven’t bored you too much with them. 😊 After all, others’ lives are never as glamorous as we may think.

May your Kindle or bookshelf overflow with great books to read!

Maxine

Carlotta, Lisa, me, Amy

Anna Kittrell (right)

We filled up on Legends pizza and appetizers!

2/24/25 It's An Author's Life

Are you sailing into Monday on warmer winds? Here in Oklahoma, we are going to be in the 60s and 70s after 100+ hours of below-freezing temps. I’m glad I could turn all the faucets off in the house last Saturday, but I won’t be happy to see that water bill. Yes, it will be cheaper than fixing busted pipes, so I’m thankful for that.

Miss Makenna, my youngest granddaughter, didn’t have school for two days because of the ice and frigid temps. She was not happy to go back to school last Thursday when the temps were still a bit cold, but she survived as we all did.

That’s about it. Not a very exciting week in the household.

I can never thank you enough for continuing to read these snippets into my life as an author. I hope I haven’t bored you too much with them. 😊 After all, other’s lives are never as glamorous as we may think.

May your Kindle or bookshelf overflow with great books to read!

Maxine

2/17/25 It's An Author's Life

Happy Monday! I hope that if you are in the path of the snowstorms and frigid arctic air you stay safe and snug as a bug in a rug this week.

My son’s business trip last week was successful, and his return flights were good. Now because of the ice, snow, and frigid temps expected here in Oklahoma, my granddaughter is staying with me once again for the next few days. This way my son doesn’t need to worry about driving her to school before he goes to work. Also, if the schools either call off school or do virtual learning, she’ll be here. So, this week will probably be somewhat of a repeat of last. My driveway is at the very least at a 25˚ angle and I’ll be pre-treating it later today with salt in case the ice does come overnight. Now, I was raised in Wisconsin but have been in Oklahoma for almost 15 years now, so my driving on ice skills aren’t what they used to be, so if we do get what is predicted I won’t be going anywhere; it’s getting back up my driveway that is the issue here. I have 4-wheel drive, but it’s only useful in snow, not ice.

Attended a full service of church on Sunday without having a coughing incident! We have been studying Exodus since April 2024 and are only on Exodus 14. It’s a very long book, but Pastor said we will be taking a break from Exodus at some point to discuss the different religious denominations in our town.

I’m looking forward to the warmer weather—70’s are predicted—next week! I hope that it gets warmer wherever you are and that you healthy.

That’s it for the installment of my not-so-exciting world.

I can never thank you enough for continuing to read these snippets into my life as an author. I hope I haven’t bored you too much with them. 😊 After all, other’s lives are never as glamorous as we may think.

May your Kindle or bookshelf overflow with great books to read!

Maxine

2/11/2025 It's An Author's Life

Even though I’m pretty much over the last sickness my family shared with me, that annoying cough in the morning and at night is hanging on. I hope you are all doing well and staying healthy.

Now, I know I’m a day late but here’s why. First of all, the posting totally skipped my mind until last night. Secondly, my son flew to Arizona yesterday for work and I was on pins and needles until I knew his plane landed safely. I’ll be the same when he returns tomorrow (Wednesday) night as Oklahoma is expecting some nasty weather overnight in the form of snow and ice. Thirdly my granddaughter is staying with me while her dad is on his business trip so there’s making dinner for two, getting her settled for the night (which she does on her own, she is 17 after all 😂), and me being a grandma.

So, I told you I did a thing and signed up to do a Friday the 13^th story this year. Well, I have a story idea and have started writing it!!! Think “Mary Worth” or “Bloody Mary” and you’ll get an idea of it. These stories all have the number 13 in common: 13 chapters, 13,000 words, broken mirror, released on Friday the 13^th, the victim’s name has 13 letters in it, and there are 13 authors. See where this is going?

That’s it for this installment of my not-so-exciting world.

I can never thank you enough for continuing to read these snippets into my life as an author. I hope I haven’t bored you too much with them. 😊 After all, other’s lives are never as glamorous as we may think.

May your Kindle or bookshelf overflow with great books to read!

Maxine

2/3/25 It's An Author's Life

This week, it feels like I’m writing the same thing over and over again. But this time, I am probably 95% back from the last illness my family shared with me, which may or may not have been the flu but just an old-fashioned cold. Let me just say that going old school and using Vicks (or a generic version) works wonders. Using an expectorant, which managed the coughing, along with lots of rest, helped as well. BTW, peppermint bark tea is the bomb!

I made it to church yesterday and got to witness the baptism of Jordan! The event brought tears to his proud papa’s eyes.

Not much writing was done this past week as my medicine induced brain wasn’t functioning on all cyclinders. But, I think I do have a title and an idea for my Friday the 13^th story, I just have to flesh it out a bit.

I think that’s all I have and I’m off to take some medicine.

I pray you and your family are healthy and have dodged the illness that is affecting so many. Schools are suffering with so many teachers out as well as students.

I can never thank you enough for continuing to read these snippets into my life as an author. I hope I haven’t bored you too much with them. 😊 After all, other’s lives are never as glamorous as we may think.

May your Kindle or bookshelf overflow with great books to read!

Maxine

1-27-25 It's An Author's Life

Here it is Monday, and my son and youngest granddaughter have felt it only fair that they share their cold/flu with me. When I went to bed last night I started coughing, now I have chills, am sleepy, and have a slight headache. So off to the store I went to replenish my OTC meds because I gave what I had to them. I’ll be missing my monthly book club, Chapter Chat, tonight and possibly the CAAC meeting tomorrow depending on how I feel. Now on to more cheerful things!

I actually made it to church yesterday. I love my little church and lately there seems to be more and more people filling the pews. This warms my heart as the church has gained two families this year so far. One of them (middle school age) is going to be baptized next week. So excited for Jordan!

Not much writing was done this past week due to the fact that Jackie and Shadow (the Bald Eagles living in Big Bear Valley) were getting ready to start their family this year. Jackie laid egg #1 on the 22nd around 7pm (central) and then #2 on the 25^th around the same time. The FOBBV organization has two live cameras on YouTube: one on the nest, and one of the trees where this pair are known to mate. Watching the nest this time of year is my Zen.

So, I did a thing! I’ve stepped outside my comfort writing box and signed up to do a Friday the 13^th story with a group of 12 other authors. The repeated theme for each story on every Friday the 13^th is the following: must have a murder or dead body found on Friday the 13^th, villain or victim must have 13 letters in their name, story must have 13 chapters and a total of 13,000 words, a broken mirror must be somewhere in the story, and the story has to be creepy. Now, the reason this is outside my box is because NONE of my published books have just 13 chapters; there are at least 14 chapters not counting a prologue or epilogue. And also, that this is a horror/creepy type of story, which I normally don’t write on purpose. So, a few ideas have popped into my head and will see how they progress. Mark your calendar for June 13 and the release of this year’s one and only Friday the 13^th collection of stories.

I think that’s all I have and I’m off to take some medicine.

I pray you and your family are healthy and have dodged the illness that is affecting so many. Schools are suffering with so many teachers out as well as students.

I can never thank you enough for continuing to read these snippets into my life as an author. I hope I haven’t bored you too much with them. 😊 After all, other’s lives are never as glamorous as we may think.

May your Kindle or bookshelf overflow with great books to read!

Maxine

1/20/25 It's An Author's Life

 Seems as if most, if not all, of us are in the deep freeze once again. Here in Oklahoma, it was in the 60s on Friday only to fall into the 40s on Saturday and the temps kept falling. At the time of this writing, it is 19˚F with a wind chill of 8˚F. The faucets in my home have been dripping/streaming since late Saturday afternoon, there is warmth coming in a few days as temps will be on the rise starting Wednesday.

If you are in the US, today is our country’s inauguration day. That’s all I’ll say about that subject, except that I hope all goes well for the next four years.

Both my youngest granddaughter, Makenna, and I have recovered from the stomach bug. It took a few days to get my taste buds back to normal, and no it wasn’t COVID. Just being sick makes your body out of kilter.

Since I was feeling better, I got caught up on my weekly writing schedule. Every author writes differently. Some do X number of words a day or week, but I give myself a minimum of a chapter a week. That way, I’m not stressed when life throws curve balls like being sick.

Speaking of writing, I thought I’d give you a peek into Simply to Die For which is currently available for pre-order here with a March release:

I turned and surveyed the room. It had been easier than I first imagined. None of them put up a fuss. Well, except the one I’ve left in a dark corner of the room that is, and he’s not a threat. Even his crying and whimpering have ceased. I only hope he’ll live long enough to give them my message. If not, well, I’ll think of another way to get her back and get that damn list of hers. Her royal highness, Kandi Kyses. What made her think she could quit the business and go into hiding? No one gets away with crossing me, as she’ll soon discover. Did she think for one minute that she wouldn’t be found no matter how far away she was? I have to give it to her though, these damn chocolates of hers are divine. I placed the pink and white striped candy box in position carefully with my gloved fingers and chuckled.

Her handmade candies were… Simply to die for.

S2D4 has been getting some good vibes on Bluesky and TikTok, and I am looking forward to its release to everyone.

I will leave you here as I consider whether to venture outside today.

I can never thank you enough for continuing to read these snippets into my life as an author. I hope I haven’t bored you too much with them. 😊 After all, other’s lives are never as glamorous as we may think.

May your Kindle or bookshelf overflow with great books to read!

Maxine

1/14/25 It's An Author's LIfe

I’m a day late, but I have good reason. I ended up with that nasty stomach bug Sunday night and have spent the last 36 hours pretty much in bed. Shoot, I even forgot to feed Simon until around 11:00 Monday night. Now that I’m feeling better judging by the fact that I did a load of laundry and dishes, I’m glad to be back to being more myself again.

Now on to some more pleasant things that happened over the past week.

Saturday was the CROW (Central Region Oklahoma Writers) Christmas party. It was so much fun, and the hostess's house is a beautiful historical home! We played Dirty Santa and all the gifts were writing-related items such as blankets, socks, candles, coffee cups, pens, notebooks, etc. I always look forward to our informal gatherings. Thank you to Anna for taking the photo and Tina for opening your home to us.

My youngest granddaughter didn’t have school for two days last week due to the 4” of snow that fell Wednesday night and the icy roads that occurred when the slush refroze overnight Thursday. But she did have virtual learning both days, so those days are not lost or have to be made up on pre-scheduled snow days.

So that’s the excitement for this past week. I hope that you and your family are healthy and haven’t been hit with this bug.

I can never thank you enough for continuing to read these snippets into my life as an author. I hope I haven’t bored you too much with them. 😊 After all, other’s lives are never as glamorous as we may think they are.

May your Kindle or bookshelf overflow with great books to read!

Maxine

01-06-25 It's An Author's Life

Happy New Year and Welcome 2025!

I totally missed posting last Monday, so here’s a quick recap since Christmas:

On the 27^th, I got a call from my local animal shelter to do an emergency foster for a 4-month-old puppy. “Whisper” is the cutest guy with front paws as big as the palm of my hand. Luckily, the shelter found a rescue for him, and he left on Thursday to find a family with kids who will love him as much as my granddaughter and I do.

Christmas was quiet so not much to report there. My son and his youngest were over and we watched football most of the day. It was the first since his wife’s passing in July, so there was an empty chair at my table. Everything was yummy and there were hardly any leftovers for them to take home.

I stayed in on New Year’s Eve and had a glass or two of wine. I almost never go out to celebrate anymore as I have no patience for people my age acting like totally idiots LOL … yes, this former party animal and social butterfly is anything but these days. I hope you had a safe New Year's Eve.

Winter has finally hit Oklahoma as an Arctic Blast overnight on Saturday. It went from 63 at around 3am to in the 30s around 8am in just a matter of hours Sunday morning. Luckily, I had already started to drip/stream all the faucets in the house and the doors under the sinks were propped open. It was a bit chilly going to church this morning, but nothing compared to the wind chill of 2 at 8:10pm. It should be in the 40s by the end of the week.

I don’t make New Year’s resolutions anymore because I rarely keep them, even with good intentions. So, for 2025, I wish you all love, success, happiness, and joy.

I can never thank you enough for continuing to read these snippets into my life as an author. I hope I haven’t bored you too much with them. 😊 After all, other’s lives are never as glamorous as we may think they are.

May your Kindle or bookshelf overflow with great books to read!

Maxine