My New Obsession: The Happy Planner - Give Me All The Stickers! (Oh, and a few other tidbits)
So, yeah. I know I'm supposed to write about writing on this blog, but lately, I've been obsessed with the Happy Planner. Don't know about it? You have to look this thing up. Do you have a Michael's or almost any office supply store? How about Amazon? And I've even picked up a few items from random craft stores. Sometimes I just Google the words to see what pops up online so I can find better prices. Etsy, too.
These things are great. So, you buy the planner. It doesn't even have to be the Happy Planner. I'm using this spiral planner they sell with the stickers at Michaels. I love this one. I'm all about color, and the size is small enough to carry in my purse. Also, I like the messages at the beginning of each month. But, I do love how the Happy Planner is easy to accessorize. You can mix and match, move things around. I use my planner to write, so I move notes from notebook to notebook. I use a computer, true, but I'm a paper person at heart. Give me pretty pens and highlighters.
And, you end up with...Well, I shouldn't say that... I end up with something that looks like this:
The best thing about this to me is being able to reflect. I have these moments where I feel like I've accomplished nothing, where I'm so busy, busy, but what did I do? I can look back at these days and see it, so it becomes more reflective than anything else. My hubby says, "Hey, you can just write that." You know what? I write it then I don't care about it anymore, because it just becomes another list. With the stickers and washis. Oh, the washis. Hang on a second.
Okay, these things are what you can use to block out weeks, days, or just outline. Just another way to make it fun. It really helps me sort ideas and section things off.
Anyway, I look forward to my days now. Date nights, dinners, times to write and work. Due dates are all made a little more colorful with this. And, I get to look back and see what I've done and smile.
That makes me happy.
As Far as Books?
Well, The Guardian's Prize is the most recent release right now. Here's the info.
Tetra Batair, grandson of Neptune himself and guardian of the god’s military forces, has arrived in Charleston, South Carolina for his mate. The only problem? His mate doesn’t want him. Now what’s a merman to do?
Aoki Tatsuo, an art teacher who’s half dragon and half human, doesn’t want to be anyone’s mate. Or, at least that’s what he’s telling himself.
When the two first meet the earth trembles…literally.
A merman and a dragon. One will have to learn patience. The other will have to learn there’s more than one way to love.
Can the two of them work through the obstacles in their past to find their perfect future?
And, Stumbling in the Dark is on its way.
The circus is a place for the unusual, a sanctuary for the wanderer. For the circus knife thrower Jake Gallinari, it was the place he stumbled to as a child. He arrived broken in spirit and body, hungering for affection. He found love, acceptance, and a family to call his own.
Blaine Leander needed a sanctuary as well. The lion tamer had no idea that he would one day see his mate in the circus, no less. For seven years he’s watched Jake grow into a man, afraid to take the step to make Jake his own.
It’s summer, and with the bright sun and the blue sky, these two men have a chance for life to change.
Just what will it take to make that happen?
In Other News
We survived Girl Scouts. Update - We left Girl Scouts.
School is almost out.
The temps have finally cooled down which is awesome because we're still trying to figure out what's wrong with the air conditioning in my car. When that's fixed, I'll be the happiest woman ever! Update - We had to get a new car.
Then and Now
Flirty and Red has released. I'm so happy to share this with you.
Why a griffin? Why not? I love books where mythical beings who don't always get a chance to fall in love do. I have a lot of What ifs in my head. What if a griffin met a human and fell in love? Then there you have it. Flirty and Red.
Here's the blurb:
A traveling nurse who doesn’t mind a little fun. A griffin who’s not playing around.
Gentry Red Redmond gave up on finding a mate. It turns out the one he needed just didn’t come in the package he was used to hunting. Sebastian Del Marco, a traveling nurse, wants to be loved, but he’s afraid to trust. Instead of relationships, he’s been willing to accept just having fun. Once Red realizes Sebastian is just the mate he needs, can he convince Sebastian to take a chance on love?
Sound interesting? Click below to give it a try.
Reviews
Ah, reviews. We have such a love/hate relationship. Love to have them. Hate to read them. Why? I'm always nervous, second-guessing myself, and doubting if I'm a good writer. I'm still new with a lot to learn. Reviews can lift you up, or they can break your heart. Yes, everyone has opinions. I know this. And the more opinions with stars online elp others to see your book. I totally get that. But those books are a part of me, and once they're out there, I'm worried.
There's an article about authors and reviews that's helped me. Let me find it. Looking...
The writer does an excellent job of pros and cons for writers reading reviews. I want to know what readers think, but I think taking it personally is my weakness.
So, I've decided to handle it differently. I now have people I ask to read my reviews. They help me determine what I need to know, so I can work on improving. That way, I still get the beneficial information without getting knocked down emotionally. I have asked two people I trust. May ask a third. But this is helping me.
Putting it out there in case it helps you.
Welp,
Here's what one had to say:
Remember... you Write da book, you Submit da book, you have da book published.... then you MOVE ON TO DA NEXT BOOK!! - But she looked anyway after she promptly kicked my ass.
The other said:
I'll check, but I do think it's silly for you to worry. LOL . (heartface)
So, I peeked.
I'm a work in progress.
In Other News
School's almost over, and we're wrapping up a year filled with students overcoming the aftermath of Covid from job loss to emotional deprivation. I'm a counselor, so it is especially important to me for my kids to be okay. We're doing our best, and my students feel the love and are getting the support they need. I'm a writer, a mother, a counselor, a sister, a wife, and all of the other roles that make me up as a person.
It's been exhausting. But it's been a great year.
Loving you all,
Deja