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!