Weekly writing check-in: solving an essential problem

I did some work on revision this week. I managed to write a “pitch” (although, I don’t pitch anymore, so it’s more of a description of the story), worked on some covers for the series (these just came out of the blue), and made some overall progress on the story structure.

I’m nearly done with moving all my paperbacks into KDP Print and into the Ingram system. Additionally, I also solved an essential problem I was having.

How to share my desk with the cat.

So, after the renovations, instead of moving my printer back to my desk, I decided on one of these:

It’s a Hepper Nest Cat Bed. It’s amazing. Oreo loves it. It keeps her off my keyboard (most of the time). And we couldn’t be happier.

Oreo in her nest bed.

Free (Non)Fiction Friday: Blogging Airborne

In 1988, as a very young and very green second lieutenant, I secured a slot to the US Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. This memoir is merely one of the results.

Something a little bit different this week, since it’s November and Veterans Day is right around the corner. Let’s have a little free nonfiction.

I’ve reformatted my Blogging Airborne series for e-readers (Kindle, Nook, your phone, etc.). Thanks to BookFunnel, you can download it directly to your favorite device.

Of course, you can always read it here on my blog. It’s not going anywhere.

Weekly writing check-in: a little light housekeeping

So, it’s November, which means many writers are doing National Novel Writing Month. As for me, I’m planning on using November to do a little light housekeeping.

This week, I finished the read-through of a novel I’d written a while back, and I’m thinking it could be something. With some work, that is. The next step is to essentially write an editorial letter … to myself. Then I’ll work on how I want to revise the story.

I need to move my books from Createspace to KDP Print. While I’m doing that, I want to upload the titles to Ingram Spark for extended distribution. I’m selling enough in print that I’m really leaving money on the table using Amazon’s version of extended distribution.

I’ll also search for some markets/reprint markets for some of my shorter fiction as well and fill up my submission tracker as well. It’s looking a little thin these days.

I’m sure I’ll think of other housekeeping chores for the month as well. I’ll let you know what I come up with.

Free Fiction Friday: A Most Marvelous Pair of Boots

This week, I’m offering up a retelling of Puss in Boots. A Most Marvelous Pair of Boots was first published in Issue #1 of Timeless Tales Magazine.

It starts something like this:

It was during the wedding feast, when the air was heavy with roast goose and red wine, that Mirabella realized they’d all been duped by a cat.

Her new husband, the Marquis of Carabas, was sitting to her right, his teeth tearing goose flesh, grease coating his lips. She shuddered and pushed away thoughts of the marriage bed. Her father, the king, was well into his cups and tore at his food as if to mimic his new son-in-law. He slapped the marquis on the back and praised heaven that—at long last—Mirabella had found herself a husband.

At long last, indeed.

Read the rest here. If you enjoy fairy tale retellings, be sure to check out the other stories at Timeless Tales.

If you enjoyed this little tale of mine, you might like my other retellings, collected in Straying from the Path.

Weekly writing check-in: novella!

Just a quick check-in to say: The Trouble with Doppelgangers is complete at 24,000 (give or take). I’m relieved that it didn’t turn into an actual novel. Because I would need to write another subscriber bonus (which would then turn into another novel … you get the idea).

It also reminded me how much I like writing novellas. One of these days, I’m going to have to write another novella series (I have an idea in mind, one involving dragons–sort of).

So, once I launch the Tea & Sorcery series, I’ll send the bonus to my mail list (for the curious, you can sign up for that here).

Free Fiction Friday: Ambassador 1: Seeing Red

Looking for a new series to try? Like Science Fiction?

Consider author Patty Jansen’s Ambassador 1: Seeing Red, now free everywhere.

Would you betray Earth to save it?

24 October 2114: the day that shocked the world.

Young diplomat Cory Wilson narrowly escapes death in the assassination of President Sirkonen. No one claims responsibility but there is no doubt that the attack is extraterrestrial.

Cory was meant to start work as a representative to gamra, the alien organisation that governs the FTL transport network, but now his new job may well be scrapped in anger.

Worse, as Earth uses military force to stop any extraterrestrials coming or leaving, as 200,000 extraterrestrial humans are trapped on Earth, as the largest army in the galaxy prepares to free them by force, only Cory has the experience, language skills and contacts to solve the crime.

But he’s broke, out of a job and a long way from Earth.

Weekly writing check-in: sugar maple show-off

I missed checking in last week due to a big event my Girl Scout troop hosted. This week, I’ve been down with a virus (fortunately just that) so I’m not quite done with the novella. Almost. I can see the end from here, and I’m excited to get back to it.

So this week, this week, I’m hoping to finish up the novella. Then, it’s thinking time. I’m not sure what I’ll tackle next. The third draft of the series starter? Maybe. Or maybe I’ll let that rest for a little while longer and revise another novel that’s been on the back burner.

We’ll see.

That’s it for this week. Until next time, I’ll leave you with all those gorgeous leaves.

Free Fiction Friday: Spooky Reads (clean and cozy)

If you’re looking for something … not quite so scary this Halloween, hop on over to the Clean Fantasy Spooky Reads giveaway. Perfect for when you need something a little scary, but not too scary.

Free Fiction Friday: Spooks and Ghouls

Check out the six spooky, ghostly books up for grabs as part of Pikko’s House Book Lovers Box. If you need something to keep you turning the (virtual) pages, you can probably find it here.

Weekly writing check-in: painting and progress

I missed last week, but I have a good excuse. To the left. That. That’s my desk at the moment.

And last weekend, I was all: I can’t even.

But there’s light at the end of the tunnel, and I’m pretty sure it’s not an oncoming train.

I have been getting some writing in (thank you, Starbucks). I have about 15,000 in the novella so far, and I really hope I can finish it up this coming week.

In other news, I’m doing a short-term promotion for Straying from the Path.

If you like fairy tale retellings and haven’t grabbed a copy yet, here’s your chance. Just 99 cents, just about everywhere e-books are sold.