IY: This Is The Wind Down


The ‘Holiday’ Is Here

On Saturday I talked about time sinks, winding down and not being a rock star. Today I need to acknowledge that the festive season is affecting my ability to work effectively and that, to save myself more work later I really do need to wind it down.

Like I’m sure you have, I’ve noticed likes and comments are slowing down in blog land and my own ability and drive to do those things has dropped off a cliff. In light of that I think it makes sense to say ‘we’re all having a (well deserved) break.

What Now?

I’ll write up my goal list as usual, but it will be quite sparse. Then next week (which will be my last post of the year *gasp!*) I’ll look into planning what I want to do in the first week of 2015. Exciting, ne?

So… if I don’t catch you before that point, Merry Christmas (or whatever you choose to celebrate) and have a wonderful week. ^_^

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P.S. The Boy

For those of you who are curious, Sprog1 must have had some sort of 24 hour bug thing, because when he woke up yesterday he was fine. In fact more perky than usual for a Sunday morning. Dunno what that was all about. *shrugs*

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IY: Been A Bit Naughty


*hangs head in shame*

Yes, there are a heap of things I should have done today. I won’t lie. I’ve spent the last hour trying to decide what I want to talk to you about because even though I have lots of ideas I can’t settle on one. So… while I was thinking about it I nipped off to Facebook to play Candy Crush.

So that’s what I want to talk about.

Time Sink No.1

There’s nothing wrong with the occasional online game. Or even the occasional face-to-face game with buddies. Hell, I played a lot of DnD and other table top game in my years. But when these things become an excuse not to work, then you know you have problems.

Today Sprog1 has been ill. Dave went off with Sprog2 leaving me with my poorly little man dozing on the sofa. He snores like a truck, but while he was sleeping I managed to have two quick meetings that really needed to happen. One with Wayne Kelly about the next Joined Up Writing Podcast (episode two is on iTunes by the way) and the other with another writing mamma by the name of Maya who needed some coaching on a story for Caladria and Fab Fables. That is the sum of my work today. Besides this post.

Today would normally be a book review and should be my final review of the year for my 2014 Book Challenge. I’ve not even read the book yet. 😦

But Why?

I assumed, in part, that it was to do with the Christmas slow down but I don’t really do that. I mean I slow down a little, but not enough that I can’t get words out. That I can’t work. -_-

So why? Well I just finished talking to Dave and I told him I’d have a revelation. Not a new one, but one I’d had several times before: I’m not going to be a rock star.

I don’t mean that in a literal sense (though clearly I’m not going to be a rock star) but in that I’m not going to be watching film adaptations of my books on TV at Christmas time (Harry Potter is on right now). Nor am I going to be buying a house for my family to live in on the proceeds of any book sales. I’m not going to be a rock star.

So What?

Indeed. It doesn’t change anything particularly. I’m going to continue doing what I’m doing (and I’ll write a full post about this later on) but it does, in part, account for my occasional (and more frequent) lapse in getting things done.

Meh.

I’ll do it. I’ll get things done.

I’ll be changing up the blog in a little bit anyway, making sure it works the way I want it to work and that it links in well with sites both Raven and I have independent to this one.

But it’s worth noting. Christmas isn’t only a time of family and food and festivity but, so close to the new year it’s a time of reflection and sometimes panic. Lol… not to be a downer, of course. I mean that in a good way because it also leads to new plans and ideas and shiny things. 😉 We’ll see what happens at the end of the year, huh?

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RS: I Haz Planz 18/12


goal shooting goals from open clip artNearly there. Nearly the ‘break’ that everyone is plugging to reach. A chance to eat too much food, drink too much booze and tell daft jokes. Of course I’m talking about the weekend. :p

Last Week
~Finish deep edits on ‘Malcolm’
Done! Haha! Last few pages complete with The Sprogs screaming in my ear, but all done.

~Ensure newsletter is sent. Remember, if you want to hear the latest news on both Slippers & Chains and the Meeting Each Other series, be sure to sign up before December 12 (I know it’s early this month but I have a LOT to share before the Christmas break)!
It went out three days late, but on time by my usual standards (it’s supposed to be 15 of each month) so that’s pretty good.

~Write script for ‘Slippers & Chains: Sugar Dust’ book trailer
Done! It’s only short. When I read it myself it comes out at 90 seconds tops, but it shouldn’t be more than that. I only want a teaser. Now… to get it filmed and recorded (by a voice other than mine! I could do it… but I don’t think I should, y’know?).

This Week

  1. Let ‘Malcolm’ rest before even thinking of editing
  2. Start to gather together all Meeting Each Other stories for bumper edition with all six stories in it.
  3. Think about next independent publishing project for when Meeting Each Other is complete.
  4. Enjoy Christmas.

Now… I hate Christmas. It’s so commercial and annoying, but this year I’ll be with family and friends and that’s what it’s really all about. So… hopefully I’ll have more fun this year than previous ones. Woop!

If I don’t catch you before then, have a Merry Christmas yourself. ^_^

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RS: New Release: Simone & Mr Bradford


‘Surprise and Merry Christmas!’ ^_^

Yes. I thought about waiting a little longer before telling you about this and releasing the story, but why? Why do such a crazy, crazy thing?

So…. I use this post to announce the upcoming release of the fifth and penulitmate story in the Meeting Each Other series: Simone & Mr Bradford.

Here is the blurb:

Doubting oneself is a part of life but Simone isn’t used to feeling unattractive. Back at work after the weekend’s unsuccessful attempts to pull, Simone looks for ways to give vent to her sexual frustrations and remind herself that she is attractive enough to fuck.
Enter Mr Amos Bradford: MD and resident miserable bastard.
Caught out in the stationery cupboard, Simone now has the chance to kill two birds with one stone, an opportunity for which she is grateful, except for three minor details. Mr Bradford is her boss. Mr Bradford is married. And Mr Bradford is (much) older than her usual conquests…

Here is the super smexxy cover:

Simone & Mr Bradford Cover

And hereeeeeeeeeeeeeere is an excerpt:

‘Tell Dianne I’ll call her back later.’ Bradford bent to retrieve his pen. He seemed not to notice the tension in the room as he beckoned Simone closer.

She hurried around the desk, as if placing a physical object between herself and the other woman might prevent further embarrassment.

The moment she stood still, a firm hand grasped the back of her knee and slid up beneath her skirt.

Simone froze. She glanced down but Bradford’s eyes were focused on his secretary, his smile steady and innocent.

He’s touching me. Fuck, he’s totally copping a feel.

‘Anything else, Mel? I’m busy.’

His hand teased higher, one finger tracing lazy spirals on the back of her thigh. Higher.

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck!

‘No, I’ve got it. Thanks, Amos.’ Mel gave him a lingering look before leaving. The door clicked shut.

Simone remained frozen. Her skin tingled beneath Bradford’s confident, roaming hand which now switched back and forth between her trembling thighs.

‘Sir . . . ?’

‘Yes?’

‘Your hand—’

He cut her off by squeezing the flesh beneath the line of her damp knickers. ‘You did great work with that customer, Miss Daye. Simone.’ His fingernails scraped her sensitive skin.

She shuddered and locked her knees. ‘Thanks.’

‘Our figures would be even worse if we had to fork out £20,000 on top of the other issues. You’ve saved us a lot of money.’

‘Just doing my job.’ Her words rasped over a tongue as dry as paper. She licked her lips. It didn’t help. Her mind, her attention, everything focused on the teasing tickle of his finger. Warm. Smooth. Firm. Most of all, confident, as if she were a car or golf club he considered buying.

‘Good.’ His fingers touched her knickers and stopped. He stroked the gusset then pressed inward. Her damp slit parted easily to let his finger through, grinding the fabric against her most delicate areas.

Sweet Jesus that feels good.

As if sensing her thoughts he smiled. ‘What happened here?’

She couldn’t think straight. His finger worked a familiar, dangerous magic, switching between soft and firm pressure.

‘I spilt some coffee.’

Woooo! The book is available for pre-order now in preparation for release on 22 December 2014. As ever you can get it on Amazon UK, Amazon US (or your usual Amazon store) and Smashwords.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. This is my favourite of the series so far. Next month I’ll talk more about what I’m planning to do following the end of the series; as there is only one more story to go. Woooo-bi-hoooo!

Next week, back to my usual programming. 😉

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IY: Mah Plans – 15/12


goal shooting goals from open clip artHad my mum other for the weekend. That was lovely. Made me realise just how difficult a week is when I don’t have much company. I almost feel ready to start the week again and get on with some more work.

Last week

I feel like I’ve had a week off. I’ve got stuff done, but not much and I’ve been distracted by reading things I wasn’t really scheduled to read.

Edit/proof the stories I have from Fab Fables writers and ensure they are ready for publication on Caladria’s system (x3 so far).
Yup. Done. Now in discussions with the authors in questions to get the last few creases ironed out. I’m expecting the rest to show up today as this is the deadline. There will probably be some late ones too, but so far it looks like quite a few have arrived.

Outline my second Fab Fables story and begin drafting
No. I looked at the two I have available for me and I couldn’t figure out the timings 😦 Then I had a load of computer issues and blah, blah, blah, excuses. So no… didn’t get this done.

Complete prep for first episode of Joined Up Writing
Yep. If you’ve not heard it yet and would like to, be sure to have a look at this morning’s post. 🙂

This Week

  1. Chase up any Caladria tales that we don’t have yet
  2. Edit/proof (in dialogue with the authors) the stories that I do have. Complete at least three.
  3. Try again to outline and begin draft of second Fab Fables story
  4. Edit first Fab Fables story using completed set of critique from Phoenix Writers
  5. Ensure my newsletter is sent out in good time – if you want access to the fantasy piece I’m writing just for subscribers, be sure to sign up!

All done. Getting as much of this stuff done before Christmas can only be a good thing. Christmas. o.O That’s next week, right?

How does it always manage to sneak up on me?

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