Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

Don’t be shocked. LOL. It’s me, stopping in to let y’all know I’m still around. I haven’t only neglected my blog, but I’ve been neglectful of yours, too. If I wrote about all the things keeping me away, it’d be boring to you. It was semi-hell for me from a writing prospective. Let’s say almost anything that could go wrong with publishing a book, did.

The book isn’t out yet, so I’m still holding my breath. This hell began on Labor Day weekend. Whispers of Forever should’ve been out in early October. It’s amazing how one person can…no, I’ll leave it at that.

To make it short, and on top of everything else, my computer messed up twice. It had to go see the Geeks each time. A whole week the first time! I had edits coming back any day, or so I thought. After the second time with the Geeks, I bought a new computer. OUCH! Dang, they got expensive in the last few years. Ok, life goes on.

Why isn’t my book out? My book is with the formatter again. I had to cancel my formatting date three times before I could finally send it to her. This is before I had to find a new editor. God bless my new editor for taking on a partially edited book.

My formatter does wonderful work, but she wants me to check the Smashwords .mobi, and epub files. This time I read through the book one more time instead of browsing for formatting issues. Yeah, I read the whole book. Again.

Darn, but if I didn’t catch a huge, I mean HUGE issue with my story. All it was, was a couple words, but the couple words messed with the whole timing of a scene. WHEW! Am I glad I caught it before someone else did. It was Jake’s fault. He’s the one who said it in the wrong place. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

So, between two editors and myself, this issue was missed.

Where am I now in publishing this book? Haha, that is almost funny. If I don’t laugh, I’ll cry. I’m waiting on my formatted files again after fixing the timing error. I was lucky she could get me in again this time of year with so many Christmas books being published. INCLUDING the one I’m TRYING to publish. I believe this book can be read any time of the year, and not just Christmas, so I have that going for me. Feel free to insert four letter words anywhere above this line because I have said plenty.

End of rant, but you only heard a bit of it.

Since I blamed the hero for his misplaced statement, I owe him an apology. I know that redhead has his brain in a spin. Not to mention, his son lands in detention too many times. He needs a damn stiff drink. You’ve met Jake briefly in some short excerpts, but not enough to know what is in his heart. He’s a sweetie and as usual, I have fallen in love with another hero. OH, I care a ton about my heroines, too. Anyway, yes, the book is about ready to be published.

Here’s my hero and he’s raring to go.

First Love.

Second Chances.

What can stand in their way this time?

Jake and Beth’s story will be along soon.

And life goes on away from the computer desk.

One amazing and awesome thing did happen in October. I have a new daughter-in-law! Yes, my youngest son did get married on a beautiful fall day. Beautiful except for the rain. Haha. It didn’t matter or spoil the day. They got married in a gazebo surrounded by beautiful Michigan autumn colors. Parents were the only ones invited. My son calls it an elopement, but parents got to be there. Fine with this mamma!

This is the bride’s bouquet. I was in charge of picking it up and delivering it to her. Another thing? I’m so proud of her for choosing to wear my grandmother’s engagement ring. My son’s wedding is the fourth generation that ring has gone through in this family. They had a wedding band custom designed to go with it, and it looks like the perfect set together. I couldn’t be happier to see it on her finger.

They had a Scottish handfasting ceremony before the traditional ceremony. This goes way back to the term of “tying the knot.” My daughter-in-law, Christie, used six green ribbons. With each ribbon draped over their hands, the reverend had a question for them. I came across this link, and, if interested, you can scroll down to “Handfasting Ceremony 2” and you’ll have an idea what they said to each other.

Do you think I cried? You bet, but I contained the tears. My ex-husband kept looking at me, and his eyes teared up, too. Afterward, all the parents went to brunch, where the restaurant had a gorgeous wedding table set up for us. The bride and groom remained in the park with the photographer and joined us later.

I’d post a picture of them, but I need permission first. Both my son and daughter-in-law aren’t into posting pictures on social media, and I’ve been asked before not to post pictures of them. Oooh, but I want to show them off so badly.

Is it any surprise I’m not doing NaNoWriMo this year?

Have a great day. Hopefully, I’ll be announcing a book release before the year is over.  😦 LOL. (not funny) It better be sooner. Newsletter subscribers know about a release before anyone. 🙂

This got long. Maybe it’s a sign I’m back?

Photo credit: Angry woman © Dana Bartekoske Heinemann from Dreamstime