Well, it happened at last: snow. Ugh. I know it’s December in Edmonton, so I shouldn’t complain, but it somehow feels worse this year because we had such a nice, long fall for once. If I wasn’t already in hermit/hibernation mode before, I definitely am now. I feel like I’ve forgotten how to dress for winter and snow. I’m, like, what’s a coat? Can I not just add an extra thick sweater under my tweed jacket and call it a day? Life is so unfair sometimes.
I kid, I kid. Life’s been pretty good, albeit it very busy, this week. The algorithm is now convinced that my sole obsession (outside of Frankenstein) is astrology, so I have been inundated with deep dives about the planetary movements of the week and their supposed impact on my existence as a speck of dust on a giant rock hurtling through space. Honestly, I don’t know how people keep track of these things — there’s like a bazillion things happening constantly. And because my brain is wired to look for patterns in everything, it has seized on astrology as a fun little side quest. So far, I’m sad to report that I have seen very little correlation between what the astrology gurus tell me is happening in my life and what is actually happening in my life. But I am definitely convinced they’re correct and 2026 is gonna be my big year 😉
Mostly because I really, really, really want it to be. I’ve got 4 books planned for publication next year, starting with A Party to Murder, so I have a lot riding on 2026 being a propitious year. The odds are ever against me (and all creatives) but I am choosing to be stupidly optimistic anyway. Here is a requisite shameless plug: if you haven’t done so already, please consider pre-ordering my book (on Amazon or from another retailer of your choice). It will be releasing on January 8, which is just about a month away — eeek!!
I heard back from my first ARC reader this week and they told me they loved the book! Ahhh, that’s the best feeling EVER!! Even better was the fact they said A Party to Murder doesn’t read like the first novel of an unknown author, which I took to mean that it doesn’t feel like amateur hour so … yay! When I decided to pursue publishing with this book, it was because I truly believed that it’s as good as the majority of books you can find in a bookstore. And, believe me, I’ve not felt that way about other things I’ve written in the past. It’s reassuring to know that I’m not the only person who thinks A Party to Murder is a pretty darn good (and fun) book.
Alright, alright, enough self-promotion. [For now. Sorry! Don’t hate me.] Now that I managed to drag myself over the finish line with my latest WIP, I have decided to take the rest of the month off from writing, bar for some editing on book #2, which goes to my editor in January. I am also taking 2 weeks off from work, and have been busy planning my days of leisure. The current plan is to binge watch a lot of comfort TV and movies, something I haven’t done in months.
To that end, I’ve been buying up DVDs from the thrift store. I hate what streaming has become, and how impossible it is to find what you want to watch (especially older stuff) on one or two platforms. I refuse to pay for half a dozen subscriptions at this point, so I’m building up my media library. I’ve got a few things lined up for the Christmas break, including Murder She Wrote and Colombo (I am SO excited!!), along with a few other ‘classics’ like Friends (planning to introduce my daughter to the show) and True Blood, and some of my older fave movies that I haven’t seen in years (just picked up a copy of Stardust, for example).
Have a great weekend!