Not an August Release After All

As most of my loyal readers know, I'm working on the 7th installment of my Liz Baker series. I've already released one full length book and a short story this year, and I have the goal of releasing this new Liz book, as well as getting started on the 2nd Penny book. My hope was to release in August and then jump right into the Penny book, with hopes of releasing in December or January.

Welllll, it looks like an August release is a no-go. Things have been a bit hectic around the Silvers homestead lately and my writing time has fallen by the wayside. Work has kept me busier than usual; the kids being out of school has prevented weekend writing; and then there's the stress of Mr. Christie working stupid night shift and finding time to spend together. Oh, and add on that my middle daughter turned 17 last week and is about to enter her senior year of high school. We're already working on college applications and SAT scores (this time next year I'll have two in college), while getting ready for her braces to come off so I can get braces on the youngest.

Needless to say, I'm struggling with finding writing time lately.

Can you tell I'm stressed the f**k out?

On the upside... I'm happy. Much happier than last year when I was still avidly mourning my mom's passing. So much has changed in the last year. I'm proud of my kids and looking forward to the middle one going to college. And an added bonus is I'll finally get the office I've always wanted when that happens. I'm looking forward to making it allllll mine! Also, I've been going to the gym religiously for almost 2 months now and I'm feeling fantastic! I love it! I've met my first weight loss goal and am closing in on the second one. I'm telling people that I've lost the baby weight from baby #3 and #2, and now I'm working off the weight from baby #1. She's almost 21 years old, but you know...  LOL!

Overall, it's a crazy time around here, and I'm hoping it will calm down soon, but in the meantime I am working in small spurts when I have the opportunity (like today) and even though the book won't release in August, I'm optimistic it will release this year. All you Liz fans out there stay positive and be on the lookout for future updates.

Lots of love to you all!

My mind is blown. Will I recover?

It has been a crazy, stressful, and cold last few weeks (months). Some days I've felt like my mind is blown and I'll never think up another good idea... or hell, remember what day it is.

Christmas was good. The kids had fun and they enjoyed their gifts. My "new" grandmother even came over for Christmas dinner, and brought me an interesting gift (I shared about it on Facebook). And then a few days later my oldest daughter turned 17 (I cried).

The kids were home from school for two weeks due to the holidays, and then right when they were supposed to start back the frigid weather moved in. School was canceled for two days and then they had a delay on the third. It was hectic, but I was glad to not have to go out in the cold.

It's not all on my kids though. They were actually more behaving during this school break than they have been in years. Tenants, income, bills, seasonal (I hate winter), and numerous other issues plague me at the moment. 

Overall, when stress hits my creativity plummets. I haven't written anything since November. It's not like I don't have books to write, because I certainly do. The 6th Liz Baker book is begging for my attention, right alongside the 1st book of a new series I'm starting, but I just shrug them off and go wallow in another episode of whatever T.V. series I'm currently enjoying.

Soooo, today I'm writing this blog. Not only to update you guys on what's going on, but also to jumpstart the writing side of my brain and to remind my fingertips what it feels like to type more than a Facebook status.

I have two more birthdays to work through (my youngest turning 9 & my own on Friday), and then it's the countdown to Book 'Em NC on February 22nd. I always look forward to seeing all the authors and readers in Lumberton, NC. This will be my third year attending and I always have a great time.

I hope you all have had a great holiday season. Now let's push into 2014 and make it a great year!