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What’s your quest?

Brave adventurers going on a quest.

Maybe you call it your bucket list, maybe your life goal, but everyone has something that they hope for and dream of. The quest is a very familiar part of fantasy stories. You know how it goes: find the (strange artifact), rescue the (important person), discover the secret of (magical powers). SAVE the world!

Sometimes we don’t feel like the heroine or hero of our own story. Those can be big shoes to fill! Sometimes life is tough, and instead of the hero of the group you become the villain, the sidekick, or even the crazy friend. I guess that’s how it goes! Happy New Year, and enjoy setting some goals for new quests!

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Holidays = fruitcake and reading

I know that most people cringe at the mention of fruitcake. I’ve never tried to bake it myself, but I actually remember my grandma making it during the holidays. I recall it being quite good. But you know, sometimes the magic doesn’t happen if you try to recreate it.

When I was a little kid, my mom had a collection of beads. They were bright and sparkly, and the minute the Christmas season rolled around, I would take a needle and thread and start stringing beads. What pattern could you make? Who had the longest string? It was very uncool if you acted like a baby and tossed them on in random order. When they were finished, we took the strings and hung them on our Christmas tree. I’m hoping to have a little down time during the next few days to write. I’m deep in the middle of a spectacular sequel to Forgotten Rebellion. Only one person (besides me) has read it so far, but she loved it. I hope to have more to share soon. Have a wonderful holiday season!

Santa wrapping books for Christmas.
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One disgruntled owl…

I’ve never seen a bird with such a grumpy expression! This owl is definitely throwing out some serious skudgies. I feel like he is just… irritated. I guess I should confess, I have (hopefully rare) moments when I feel like this. You look out at the world and ask, “seriously?” When this picture came up as my desktop wallpaper today, it made me laugh.

As I always say, “Sometimes things go really well. But then, there are those OTHER times…” During this season of rushing, overscheduling and communing with loved ones who we hopefully get along with, I wish you the best! Just never let anyone start talking about politics during family events. Instead, enjoy the white elephants, ugly sweaters and wassail. p.s. If you’d like to offer your opinion on proper spelling of “skudgies”, I’m open. Somehow, it’s often heard verbally, but I’ve never seen it in print before.

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On Library Shelves…

Forgotten Rebellion on a Library shelf

Somehow, I feel just a little more official today. One of my readers sent this picture of a shelf from her local library. I know I’m a book nerd, but it’s really exciting to have more people pick up my book. It’s been a busy week, but somehow, I’ve sneaked in time for reading.

Full disclosure: I’ve been listening to one audio book, reading a completely different one on my kindle, and going back and forth between two of my own writing projects this week. Maybe I need to focus more! I have my first draft of the sequel to Forgotten Rebellion, and another (unrelated) stand-alone book which is nearly ready for a trip to the editor.

Maybe I’m nuts to work like that, but it actually helps my process to have more than one project at a time.  Swapping them allows me to rest between drafts and come back with fresh eyes. I will have some material as soon as possible!

In the meantime, I’m setting up my Shopify store so you can buy ebooks without going through Amazon. Don’t worry, I’ll have more inventory soon!

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Walking Against the Wind

AJ Park Caught in the first snowstorm of the season

During the first big snowstorm of the season, I went snowshoeing. That might sound crazy, but I just can’t help it. It’s like writing for me. I just do it. The snow wasn’t so bad on my way up, but then I turned around and realized the wind was blasting snow right into my face. I was totally covered with snow! Oh well, maybe I built character, and at least I was going downhill.

I guess it’s not surprising that everything is easier with the wind at your back. But sometimes I take the extra boost for granted. Until I turn around.

Happy reading this week. If I didn’t have to work, I would have spent all week writing. I’ve been totally carried away by wicked sorcerers, cursed princesses, and a few carnivorous lizards. Welcome to MY imagination. What’s running through yours?  

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Enjoying things that aren’t perfect

We often love people and things despite (or because of) their imperfections. In our collection, we have a holiday ornament that is a perfect example of this. All the other birds on the tree have their beaks firmly in place. Not this little guy. Somehow, he ended up faceless… beakless. We call him Bill. And for some reason, he is one of our family’s favorite holiday decorations. Maybe it’s just that he looks really funny. Or maybe we just identify with the feeling of not quite being THERE yet. Even though we try.