Reading Update and Procrastination

I procrastinate. A lot. I seem to find other things to do to keep me from doing what I should. This is not news to me. I know I do it. I just don’t know why.

Why don’t I want to write? I used to look for time to write. Now, I just can’t seem to get my imagination to run wild (I sure loved it when it ran wild).

So instead of writing, I read. And crochet. And watch TV. I used to watch TV all the time, before writing. I hate that I watch TV during the day now, but yet, I do, because I like the TV on when I’m crocheting. And right now crocheting is more fun than writing.

I have excuses as to why I don’t write. I don’t like the set up I have in the sunroom. I don’t like my glasses. Yeah, these are things I can fix, but I just don’t. Actually, I’m not sure HOW to set up my sunroom without removing/replacing furniture. And I don’t know what kind of furniture would help.

And then, I get a thought that maybe I should just quit. Just retire. And the next thing I do, I sign up for another book convention, hoping that will motivate me.

So far they haven’t.

I want to finish Ghostly Protector. I NEED to finish it. And maybe it’s the finishing it that is causing me to procrastinate. Because if I finish it, I may just be finished. I don’t know.

It sure is hard being honest with yourself, isn’t it?

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 11

Dates read: March 14-19, 2023
Title: A Terrible Fall of Angels
Year of publication: 2021
Author: Laurel K. Hamilton
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Zaniel Havelock #1
# of Pages: 477
Paper or plastic: Mass Market Paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Meet Zaniel Havelock, a man with the special ability to communicate directly with angels. A former trained Angel Speaker, he devoted his life to serving both the Celestial beings and his fellow humans with his gift, but a terrible betrayal compelled him to leave that life behind. Now he’s a cop who is still working on the side of angels. But where there are angels, there are also demons. There’s no question that there’s evil at work when he’s called in to examine the murder scene of a college student—but is it just the evil that one human being can do to another, or is it something  more? When demonic possession is a possibility, even angelic protection can only go so far. A race is on to stop a killer before he finds his next victim, as Zaniel is forced to confront his own very personal demons, and the past he never truly left behind.
My thoughts: Not exactly a fast-paced book. Lots of back story to get through and lots of events that don’t seem connected to one another. Plus, the author can overdo it with the description (like she does in the Anita Blake series). Parts of it were enjoyable, though, so I will probably try the next book in the series (when/if it’s released) just to see if maybe the pace picks up.

So… are you a hopeless procrastinator? Think there’s a cure for me?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Me Bad

Okay, so this is why I only say I MIGHT do something, because I know when my list of things to do is long, that posting pictures from my cruise is gonna be on the bottom of that list. And since I haven't completed everything else on the list...

Yeah, I haven't downloaded my pictures yet.

But the tree is up! It's just not decorated. And I have MOST of the presents I need wrapped by tomorrow, wrapped. Which means I still have some to wrap today. I've managed to sweep the floors, but the vacuum cleaner hasn't moved an inch. And I won't even mention the bathroom.

I can't even blame it on my radiation treatments, either. Those haven't taken so long and after three treatments, I'm not feeling the effects yet. Well, not so much anyway.

So... Maybe NEXT Friday I'll have pictures to post. Because I really doubt I'll download those pictures this weekend. You see...there's this big holiday coming up and I still have lots more presents to wrap.

You all have a great weekend!

Stacy

Getting Ready for Another Convention

I leave for the Rust City Book Con on Thursday. And you’d think I’d be ready, wouldn’t you? But I’m not.

Not even close.

I want to donate a series of books I own (for the raffle), but I have to finish reading the last one before I can do that. And then figure out how I want to give them away. Wrap them up in cellophane? Put them in a box (which would require finding a box that would fit AND display them)? Or maybe stick them in one of the numerous bags I’ve gotten from other conventions? Decisions, decisions.

I’m on a couple of panels and one of them might require some work ahead of time (still trying to get that confirmed). And if I do have to do some work, well, then, I’m gonna have to figure out what to work on.

I plan on giving away some frame-style key chains I bought from Oriental Trading. They’re really cool. I thought they’d look awesome with my covers. All I have to do is print out copies of my covers and insert them. Easy peasy, right? Only thing is, I needed a paper cutter, photo paper, labels (to stick on the back of the photo with my website), and ink for the printer. At least I bought all those on Friday. I had planned to print the covers, cut them out, and insert them yesterday, but did I? Nope. I decided to read the book instead (which I still haven’t finished).

Why or why do I wait until the last minute to do everything? I think my characters are toying with me, too. They know I’m busy, but now they’re talking. No fair!!!

So… Do you tend to “plan” for stuff, but then wait until the last minute to do it? At least I planned, though. Right? That’s gotta be better than flying blind. J

Happy Monday!

Stacy

 

Procrastinating at its Finest

I was going to download the few pictures I have on my iPhone and camera so I could post them here. I might have done just that on Thursday if I hadn’t gotten busy doing chapter work. I’ll be glad when I’m no longer treasurer, just saying…

See? Procrastinating at its finest. If I hadn’t procrastinated all week, I might just have those photos to share today. And something to blog about.

I really need to work on being less of a procrastinator. How do you do that, though?

I do have a bit of news to share. I met M Jane Colette at RT (during the Charlaine Harris/Karin Slaughter panel), and she actually mentioned me in her blog. I find it pretty spectacular that she even remembered me. It’s not like I was talkative, because I wasn’t. Anyway, if you’d like to see a bit of what RT is all about, she’s got quite a bit of information and pictures. Tons of pictures (even one with ME in it!). You can find it all here: https://mjanecolette.com/2017/05/27/diary-of-an-rt-virgin-day-4-fan-girl-gone-mad/

If I didn’t think it was so much work, I’d like to be like her. Bet she doesn’t procrastinate.

I was able to watch the last two minutes of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday. I had gotten score updates while I was at the Dragons game, which had, unfortunately, started an hour late. Seems someone opened the breaker to the field and they didn’t have any power. If the game had started on time, I would have stayed for the whole thing, but by 10:30, they were only in the 7th inning and I didn’t want to stay any longer. They did win, though, 9-8, so there’s that.

But the Penguins win gave me much more joy. I look forward to another win on Saturday, but know it will be a hard-fought battle to do so. There’s a reason these two teams are in the finals, right? Still wouldn’t mind a sweep, but know it’s pretty impossible. Oh well…

So… What is it you do that you wish you didn’t, but know you will never change? Procrastination is it for me. I really don’t think there’s any hope for me. And I guess in the scheme of things, it could be worse. Right?

Happy Friday!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and Game 2

Tonight is Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals. I don’t know what the heck the Penguins did on Monday, but I sure hope they don’t do it again. Only 12 shots on goal for the whole game (and none during the second period)? Sure, 5 went in and they won 5-3, but still… Too frustrating for this viewer. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, at this point I don’t know), I won’t be able to watch the game tonight. I’ve got a Dragons game to go to. Doesn’t mean I won’t be keeping track of the hockey score. Let’s go Pens!!

Here’s what I read the past week:

Book #37

Dates read: May 24-26
Title: “Wild Man’s Curse”
Year of publication: 2016
Author: Susannah Sandlin
Genre: Romantic suspense
Series: Wilds of the Bayou #1
# of Pages: 276
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: While on an early-morning patrol in the swamps of Whisky Bayou, Louisiana wildlife agent Gentry Broussard spots a man leaving the home of voodoo priestess Eva Savoie—a man who bears a startling resemblance to his brother, whom Gentry thought he had killed during a drug raid three years earlier. Shaken, the agent enters Eva’s cabin and make a bloody discovery: the old woman has been brutally murdered.
   With no jurisdiction over the case, he’s forced to leave the investigation to the local sheriff, until Eva’s beautiful heir, Celestine, receives a series of gruesome threats. As Gentry’s involvement deepens and more victims turn up, can he untangle the secrets behind Eva’s murder and protect Celestine from the same fate? Or will an old family curse finally have its way?
My thoughts: I’ve read her vampire series and enjoyed them very much, so when I saw she wrote a romantic suspense, I had to give it a try. Good read. Kept me riveted during a time I really needed it, too. No paranormal stuff in this book, if that matters to you.

Didn’t read as much this past week. Started a few books that were on my Nook, but they didn’t interest me at all. I hate when that happens.

So… Do long weekends mess with your internal schedule? I just don’t want to do anything! Which is bad, because I have stuff to do. Like post this on time, which I didn't. Ugh.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Gotta Catch Up!

Got home later than I expected on Sunday, so I didn’t get around to download the pictures from my camera, so no pictures of Racine to show you yet. Don’t have much of anything to say in this post, either.

Well, except… I’m hosting the Sizzle and Sass Facebook Page this week. Some stupid voice in my head said that it would be fun to have the week before my birthday so I could celebrate it longer. I think I need to shoot that voice.

Ah, but it will be fun. I think. Once I get organized. Of which I’m not. Because, you know, PROCRASTINATOR here! Argh!

Oh, I will say this about Racine: I bought a raspberry Kringle. From O&H Bakery. It only cost $8.50 (not the $20 they charge in their mail order catalog). And I had a tiny piece last night (okay, maybe NOT so tiny). YUM YUM!

This isn't the Kringle I bought, but it is a raspberry
one from the O&H Catalog. Just thought you'd like
to see what one LOOKS like!

So… How was your weekend?

Stacy

I Was Number ONE!

Like I do way too frequently (because I should be writing), I was over at Amazon Friday morning, checking on My Sunny Vampire. Since the Bookbub ad, I’ve been getting a lot more reviews and I’m curious to see what people have to say (good or bad). Plus I like to see the review number go up! It’s a sick obsession, I know, but I only take the positives out of it. I know not everyone is going to like my work, but it’s nice to see when I’ve reached my audience.

Anyway, while I was there I couldn’t help but ALSO check out at my ranking. It had been five days since the ad, so I figured I was dropping from my high of #2 in free paranormal romances. Well, much to my surprise, I rose.

 

To #1.

 

Here's proof:

 

Can you believe that? NUMBER. ONE. I couldn’t. Five days later and people were still downloading it? Yikes! It really is mind boggling.

It has since dropped, but for one whole day I got to see my book on top of the heap. What a nice view! J

Of course, it doesn’t mean a darn thing if I don’t gain some fans. And if I DO manage to get some, I certainly won’t KEEP them if I continue to procrastinate with my current WIP. So… here’s to working with the internet turned OFF this week (at least Mon-Thu, since the hubby is off Fri, and only between 10am-5pm). Think I can do it? I’m certainly going to try. I’ve got a job to do and it won’t get done if I’m hanging around Facebook, blogs, and Amazon. J Not that I don’t love you all. I do. But seriously, I’ve got to get crackin’!

Have a great Monday! Tonight in the comments, I’ll let you know if mine was great.

Stacy

Hodgepodge

Okay, so I really need to get back into writing. I can see that happening this weekend. Maybe.

I've got some critiquing to do for my writer buddy. So that's on my list of things to do.

I've gotten the presents that need to be delivered, ordered and/or delivered. I still have to get presents for those who will be with me on Christmas morning. That is also on my list to do this weekend. Not looking forward to those horrendous crowds, but I will get it done. I'm determined.

Of course, in order to do that, I have to inventory what I've purchased so far. That will probably happen tonight, since I'll need that information for Saturday.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again – I'm a procrastinator to the nth degree!

You'd think I'd learn by now.

In other news, something has happened to me and I'd like to pose a question out there for you. Have you ever gone on a vacation and not have your boss ask you how it went?

I've had plenty of bosses and I can't remember one ever not asking. Until now. In fact, I only saw him for a total of five seconds on Monday. Never stopped by and said welcome back or anything! Is that strange?

My place of employment has started making me question if something is wrong with me. I've never felt so out of place or alone. I sometimes wish I had never left the old job. Eventually that one would have gotten better – I just didn't know it at the time (and I know this because my husband and son still work there).

I'll just use this job as motivation to get published. And in order to get published, I need to write. Oh yeah… That will happen this weekend. I'll find the time if it kills me!

Preparation or How a Procrastinator Packs

Christmas letter written.
Check.

Tree up.
Check.

Packed for cruise.
Ummmm, not yet.

Hey, but at least I won't have to put the tree up when I get back. Or worry about those Christmas cards (the cards are easy – it's writing the letter that's time consuming). That in itself is a MAJOR accomplishment. The last time we took vacation around our anniversary (14 days to Hawaii & California), I scrambled to get my Christmas shopping completed upon return, as well as put up the decorations. So what happens? The biggest snowstorm of the year, that's all. I had a nightmare (an actual, honest to goodness nightmare) that Christmas morning came and there were no presents under the tree. I will not go through THAT again.

But packing for vacation? I'm a last minute packer. I do have a list of things I don't want to forget, but doesn't include what clothes to bring. There, I have a vague idea of what I want to wear, but I haven't pulled anything out – yet. That will be saved for the night before. So far the worst mistake I ever made packing that way was forgetting to pack socks (so I had to buy them, big deal) or a belt for my husband (hey – he has to take some responsibility for his own clothes!).

I have picked out which books to bring. While I plan on doing some writing on this cruise, I also expect to have a lot of reading time, too (sometimes I can only write so much and then my brain shuts down). Especially if I finish the first draft (fingers crossed). The books I plan on taking along (one of which I may start during lunch today) are shown below (And boy, did I have a time trying to get the pictures to line up decently. All I wanted to do was make two rows of three. Blogger doesn't do things easy, do they?).

I don't expect to read them all – I just like to be prepared. I took four books on my last cruise (Sookie Stackhouse series) and ended up buying a fifth. I'd rather read from my TBR pile than sort through the small selection offered on the ship.

I know, I know. If I had an e-reader, I wouldn't have to do that. Still ain't buying one, though.

So how far in advance do you pack for your vacation? And if it's more than a day, do you actually pack or just create a pile of what you'll be taking? I've never understood how some people pack in advance, probably because I can't imagine putting the clothes in the suitcase a week ahead of time. Do you really have that much underwear you don't have to wash for over a week? Don't the clothes get extra wrinkly? It's not like I'll have an iron. Just saying…