4/28/25 It's An Author's Life

WOW! I don’t know about where you live, but here in Oklahoma, we are definitely in the wet zone. My lawncare person has me on the list to do my yard as soon as the weather gives us a few days to dry out, and believe me, it might take some rather warm days to do just that. While my yard is green, the back is 50% weeds right now.

I’m sitting on the front porch this morning writing today’s post. Usually, I sit on the back patio, but since it faces east, the sun is always shining on my glass top table, and the umbrella isn’t big enough to block it out. So, I have decided that I’m going to write on the front porch from now on because it’s covered. The only downside, which is minor, is that I don’t have electricity out here to plug my devices in should they need them. I think I might have to fancy up the porch a bit more with some silk greenery and maybe some hanging items if I’m going to work out here. The only thing is that the front of my house faces the west, and the wind coming in from that direction can be a bit much, not to mention the wind from the south as well. But air movement is better than none.

I have about 1200 words left to finish my Friday the 13^th story. Once I get it done, I’ll give it a read-through, make sure there are 13 chapters, and then send it off to the editor. Then I will get back to finishing the writing of the historical cozy I had been working on.

While the week didn’t start out ideal – flat tire on Monday and then a brake light out on Friday – I am truly blessed to have people around me to help with such things. My former pastor and his brother-in-law came out and changed the tire for me as my son was working, then my son changed the brake light bulb on Saturday for me after the rain stopped.

That’s it for this week, and I think I might have to go put a sweater on if I’m going to sit out here to write this morning. Unlike the back patio, the front porch doesn’t have a windbreak, and it’s a bit cooler than I thought it would be out here, even with the humidity at 88%.

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 

4/21/25 It's An Author's Life

I hope you had a wonderful Easter.

We had several days of rain and storms last week, and this week is going to the same. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

I did attend a writer’s luncheon and meeting on Saturday. Lunch was yummy, and the meeting speaker was great and informative! I always look forward to being around my writing tribe each month.

It was good for me to go and be around people because that day happened to be the seventh anniversary of the passing of my late-husband. Yes, it gets easier and the pain lessens each year, but it doesn’t make it any less sad, and the feeling that special someone is gone.

On a brighter note, my book is coming along, and I should be able to meet my May 1 deadline.

That’s it for this week.

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

4/14/25 It's An Author's Life

 Last week had been quiet after so much going on the week before.

The weather has been beautiful, and I’ve been sitting outside mid-morning to write. I love sitting on my back patio and creating. Even though we are expecting storms this coming weekend, I’m going to take advantage of the weather while I can.

I am excited that I am closer to finishing my Friday the 13th story due to the editor on May 1. Yep, I’ve been writing, sleeping, eating, writing, sleeping, eating, etc.

I’m sure you’ve heard the Old Wive’s tale that if it rains on Easter, that it’ll rain every Sunday for the next 7 weeks. Is it true or not? We are expecting rain here on Easter, so I will be keeping an eye on the weather for 7 Sundays after Easter. Read more Spring myths here: Spring Weather Lore Sayings You May Not Know! - Farmers' Almanac - Plan Your Day. Grow Your Life.

I hope that your Easter basket is filled with blessings and lots of love and goodies.

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

4/7/25 It's An Author's Life

There’s nothing more precious in this world than the birth of a baby. My second great-grand arrived with a bang last Wednesday (4/2). 

Little Nolan Douglas weighed in at 10# and 21 inches long. Big sister Addy is thrilled to have a baby brother, and mom (my granddaughter) and dad feel blessed to have their sweet family complete.

There’s no way to top that off, but here’s how the rest of last week went.

My book club, Chapter Chat, met last Monday night. I bragged up the book I had read and found out that one of the members had seen my posting on it and read it for herself. We both really loved it. Check out my review under the Simon’s Book Treasures and Review tab above.

I got an unexpected surprise on Friday. A friend, who is also my PA/editor, was passing through town with her hubby and mom. They were heading back home to Florida when they decided to come see the Leg Lamp (yes, THAT leg lamp), do a little shopping in the boutiques, and grab lunch. It was so great to see Maria again. We both decided that the last time we’d seen each other, even though we do talk on the phone, was at RWA-Denver almost seven years ago.

My youngest granddaughter, Miss M, spent the week with me as her dad (my son) was working second shift and training a new assistant manager. So instead of picking her up at 1:00 am, she just stayed overnight, and I took her to school in the morning. Even though she’s old enough to stay by herself, she doesn’t like being alone in the house for an extended time, especially at night.

My newest WIP is moving along. I’ve a little over 8,000 words to go now and will be starting chapter 5 today. Means I only have 8 more chapters to write before the May 1^st editing deadline. Lots of coffee and late nights have arrived.

Just when you think the heat in the house can be turned off for the rest of the year, Mother Nature laughs in your face. Over the weekend, it was in the 30s overnight, storms, and even some snow, making my 1950s-built brick house damp and cold inside. Yep, you guessed it. The heat came back on. The 70s and 80s are predicted as the week goes on so I’ll be able to turn it off and open those windows back up!

Whew! That was a lot of information for you 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, others’ lives are never as glamorous as we may think.

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

Maxine