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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.

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I can feel the Story Rage…

I really enjoyed your response to my question about Story Rage! As readers, we have many of the same complaints, and pet peeves. We just want to enjoy a good story. Don’t mislead us, and don’t make us ask questions and never give us the answers! Don’t take a whole book to set up for the next book, etc. I did my first hike of the season with fresh snow on the ground. This is Utah, everyone is making sure their skis are waxed and tuned. I have a new pair of snowshoes to try out. I think its very important to have outdoor fun all year round. What do you do for outdoor fun when it’s cold?

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Do you suffer from Story Rage?

Have you ever had STORY RAGE? You’re reading along, happy in the world the author has created, until you get to a point in the story and something bothers you. And you’re UNHAPPY. Years ago, I read a fantasy where the author killed off every single character except for the leading man (banished) and the leading lady (captured by the enemy). Every one else was slaughtered. And I do mean, everyone else. I was super mad at the end of that book! I felt like she was just wiping the slate clean and that she didn’t address the real cost of the events. And also, what is the real point of the story if only two people survived it? So, I’m asking you. What makes you MAD in a story? Unsatisfying endings? Stories that run on without ever giving you a satisfactory conclusion? What causes you to not like a story? I want to know for two reasons. First, I’m wildly curious about what gets to other people. Second, I’d like to know what NOT to do in my writing.

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Celebrating Black Friday!

I hope you had a wonderful day with family and friends. We spent the day with family, and many of them are much better cooks than I am. Some family member once claimed that they hated yams, no matter how they were prepared, so my brother wrapped spears of yam in prosciutto and cooked them till crispy. Not to reveal any trade secrets, but they are amazing! And please throw out the boxed stuffing. We had stuffing made from scratch with sausage, herbs and mushrooms. Oh, sorry, I started to drool a little just then. I think all food should have mushrooms in it. They are a food group.

Anyway, I’ve been working for weeks to gather all the awesome Black Friday promotions I could get my hands on. So, just for you, hundreds of on-sale books! I am so excited to have all of my books on sale for 99¢. Now is the time to read them!

The choice lay before him. Either he could become a new man and help her, or he could destroy her to win a kingdom.

She was gone. Allia was a prisoner, and completely beyond his reach. All the pain she suffered was his fault. From the beginning, he’d wanted nothing more than to protect her. Instead, he’d destroyed her life. He needed to find a way to help her.

She couldn’t see anything except his dark eyes. What kind of man refused to show his face? Either way it didn’t matter. Until she found out who was trying to kill her, he was her only chance of survival.

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Imagination Gone Wild

Does your imagination ever run wild? New worlds, people, quests, giant spiders, or carnivorous lizards? ME TOO! All last week, while I was working hard at my day job, getting our December magazine issues off to print, I was wishing for more time to write. I think I’ll let the entire cast of my new story be chased by the vicious lizards, not all at once, of course, just in a moment of weakness… What do you think?

What do you daydream about when you have a quiet moment? I’ve come to realize that my flights of fancy are more involved than some people’s. I’ve been working on getting everything ready for a big book sale for Black Friday. I’ve never been one to get up at 4am and stand in line to shop, but stocking up on a giant pile of great reading – that’s right up my alley!

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I finally have a copy in my hand!

I’ve wanted to write since I was a kid. By the fourth grade I had set my sights on creating novel. I dug in and got started. But I didn’t actually know how to do it, and my first attempt was only a page and half long.

   By fourteen, I had made it a hundred pages, and by sixteen, I’d made a full-length novel. It wasn’t exactly ready for publication, but it was book-length.

   Lots of life happened and I wrote on and off, but it wasn’t until 2019 that I was able to publish my first novel, War’s Ending. In December 2022, The Ring Keeper came out, and now this month, I’ve released my third book, Forgotten Rebellion.

   I was in such a hurry to get this book released, that this is the first actual paperback copy I got! Nearly two weeks after the launch. But hey, I DO already know how it ends.

   The launch has gone really well, and I appreciate everyone’s support. My whole goal as a writer, is for people to read and enjoy my stories, and I’m so glad that’s happening!

    I can’t tell you how satisfying it is to hold the actual book in my hand!

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I’ve left my natural habitat…

   I realized something important during this recent trip to the mall with my daughters. The mall is NOT my natural habitat!! I’m better off out in the mountains. Second, I realized I was old, darn it. But that’s another story.    Either way, I had a wonderful time with my girls. And, I know you’re wondering, but NO, I didn’t buy that sweater. I can sense how disappointed you are. Maybe if I go back it will still be there?    If you haven’t had a chance to read Forgotten Rebellion, there’s still time! The early reviews have been great! You can pick up a copy from my Shopify Store!