Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

Howdy:

I’m still kicking as my mother would say. I couldn’t decide to share updates or a short snippet, so I’ll skip the short snippet from my upcoming holiday novel. If only I could write “The End” to this novel. I’ve struggled and struggled with writing it. Reason is, I veered from the original ending and had to go back to my original idea. I’m close now and on my way to completion. It’s in my head. Tomorrow, Two Five Ranch Outlaws, Book Two edits will come back. After looking at the edits, I’ll be closer to choosing a release date.

Stress hinders creativity. ~MJ (I’m sure someone else said this too.)

I hope you’re all enjoying yourselves. That you’re happy living the life. We’re having a “HOT” season, red sunrises, and golden moons. << Forest fires can be blamed for this I hear. Prayers to all of you in harm’s way. My oldest son included.

What’s New?:

Well… I’m moving! Unexpectedly. However, I’m grateful for the opportunity. Remember the smell in my apartment from the last post? It’s still here, but I won’t be. I’m transferring to another complex. I wish I could say more. It’s best I don’t.

Like I had time for this with two books coming out. I’m glad and sad to go. I love living here. No more turkeys or walking to the lake. The neighbors here are great. Helpful too. I’ll miss my nice neighbor who always helped shovel me out in the winter. In my new place, I’ll be closer to the heart of my cute little town, but it isn’t like I’m far now. Anyway, that’s where I am.

One thing I’ve learned when packing is to stay organized. Ha-ha! Have any good tips? I laugh as I look around my unorganized living room and dining room as I’m stacking tubs to keep, donate, toss, or shred, which includes years of paperwork and manuscripts. They’ll meet a professional shredding company. Anyone remember the days when you had to submit paper copies to agents and publishing houses? Why did I make so many copies of a 109,000 word manuscript? I could slap myself. Oh, there’s more than only one novel. I refuse to move some of my “stuff” again. It has to go.

The best part is I found old poetry, two short stories I wrote, three partially finished novels, and one completed but will never be read by anyone but me. Let’s just say I experimented. Still, there’s so much to do. Before my last move, four years ago yesterday, I did a good job at cleaning out. It’s time to do it again.

Along with organizing and cleaning out comes memories of all sorts… Special years. Sad years. Animals we loved. People who are still around and those gone. Bittersweet, scary, teary, dreadful, sweet, joyous memories. I’ll leave it to you to recognize those feelings.

Cheers, my friends. Thanks for sticking around if you got this far.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Stay safe.

Image credits: Pixabay