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Posted on by Rachel Connelly - No Comments on How long has January been?? And how is it over??

How long has January been?? And how is it over??

Another busy month has gone by! January always feels like it lasts a thousand years, doesn’t it?

I’ve already done and learned a lot this year. My editing work is continuing, and I’ve taken on some new responsibilities — writing newsletters and such. Both there and in my day job, I’ve suddenly been learning a lot about different

website building platforms, which has been cool. Between the social media and the website work I’ve been doing, I’m finding that I actually really enjoy that sort of thing. I’m considering looking into it further.

In my personal life, it’s been mostly the same. I’ve been deep into crafting, as always. I’ve got about 7 different crochet projects with varying deadlines, and took a break from all of them so I could learn to make a handfasting cord for my beautiful friends who are getting married this weekend. I love learning new

This isn’t the one I made, but it’s pretty similar!

crafts, and this one was so special. Both because there’s something so powerful about learning to do something that’s so traditional and was probably something some distant ancestor of mine would have known how to do (I’m VERY heavily Irish/Celtic), and because I got to do something so meaningful for people who mean so much to me.

I’m not sure what February will hold, but I’m looking forward to continuing to learn more. Until next time!

Posted on by Fern Brady - 1 Comment on Writing Kickoff for 2024

Writing Kickoff for 2024

The year of the dragon opens and I’m ready to push forward more of my universe’s stories.

Each year in January, Max Regan hosts two weekends of writing intensives. These four days, with their small and large group sessions, create an opportunity to begin the year focused on your work as a writer. To benefit from the opportunities of these weekends, you need to put aside other things that call your attention and put your identity as a writer up front and center.

The first of the intensives found me with a writing space that was completely topsy-turvy. My mom had all our rugs cleaned and to do so they had to move all my things about and unplug my stuff. They supposedly put everything back ‘where it was,’ but in reality they just moved the heavy objects to more or less the general area of the room where they thought they had originally been. Needless to say, it was a hot mess.

Arya is not happy to see the decorations go down. No more Christmas doggie treats!

So the first session, I took time to re-organize the writing space. I also had the opportunity to share my conundrum. I have one book that needs minor tweaks and is then ready to head out to copyediting — War Rising. I have another book with a significant amount of already written chapters and a clear outline toward finishing — Gortive Offensive. I also have Love’s Flame, the second book in The Dragon and His Kitten Series outlined and needing a first draft. So what should I do first?

Well, as I went through the first weekend, I made some strategic decisions. War Rising, book 2 of Thyrein’s Galactic Wall series, was the one that needed to be on my desk first. Clearly, the gap between book 1, United Vidden, and this one has been too long, even though fans of the universe got a chance to learn about Nichamir and Denipia in Love’s Call last year. That book is not the follow up of United Vidden and so War Rising is essential to move forward.

I am working on a short story for this contest. I think it’s okay to enter since I don’t have too much to do except oversee the process and the judging is blind.

So, when the second intensive weekend came along, in spite of the fact that I had not finished actually re-organizing ALL the space of the room, I decided to use the sitting area section that was open and available and begin the final read through of War Rising. I also had the opportunity to work various short stories in the groups and place them into contests. I even submitted some poetry, though I don’t really think my poetry is that great. But then if you don’t submit, the answer is always no. Maybe I’ll get a yes on some of this?

The book’s preliminary cover is drafted. Of course, tweaks are needed but I am so inspired by Verstandt’s artistry!

Anyway, this month is all about getting War Rising ready to go to copy edits. By the end of the second intensive, I was half way through the novel. Last weekend, I had to stop and put away the Christmas decor before my HOA sent us a lovely letter about it. I’m committed to pushing this book out to the next phase of production by end of January, so this weekend is the final push. Wish me luck!

Posted on by Ellen Seaton - 1 Comment on Out With the Old, In With the New

Out With the Old, In With the New

Was this one of my most exciting New Year’s ever? Not by a long shot. It was pleasant and it was nice. 2023 tried its best to kick my ass, but I am still here. I am standing upright with a good mind (mostly?) and still exercising.

My 2023 basically looked like this desk here. It was a functional piece of furniture that I had used for several decades and moved from one home to another. At the time I needed/wanted a L‑shaped corner desk and this certainly fit the bill for many years. However, after a while, it came time to replace it. I tried to give it away. I contacted many charities and service organizations and resell shops. Couldn’t give this away. I felt bad for my little desk. I even put a sign down by the mailboxes that said, “Free to Good Home!” To no avail. Houston Recycling, here we come.

This was very symbolic for the way 2023 had gone. Instead of a desk, my body needed updating. Only I couldn’t just toss out myself and buy a replacement. No, but I went to many doctors. I spent some time in the hospital and was diagnosed with A‑Fib. In between cardiac ablations, I moved to a new living environment for “independent seniors” so that I now have lots of buttons to push and strings to pull in case I have a stroke. As enjoyable as that sounds, I really do like the new homestead. I guess 2023 is the year I became a Senior Citizen. Bah Humbug. However, that does not mean I can sit in a rocker and pass my days quietly. No! All of my doctors want me up and active. I now wear a smart watch that counts my foot steps, my pulse and my stress levels. I take my blood pressure. I take Tai Chi and aerobic exercise classes. I am definitely not slowing down.

So, what am I hoping for in the near future? For starters I have a new desk. It is smaller and sleeker than the last one. I am still getting organized, but it is working dandy well for this blog. My good friend Jim put the desk together and it didn’t even take that long. This picture shows the construction site where all parts were assembled. The best news is that none of this seems to have confused my cat, Hannah. Of course she has hidden under the couch a few times, but never for very long.

I am busy attending a series of writing intensives, and having a new nifty desk is helping with my inspiration. For those of you who know me, yes, I am still writing about ghosts and grim reapers. I continue to work on short stories and, of course, the Great American Novel. I am even taking an online course on “Jewish Ghost Stories”. Who knew there were such things? I’ll keep you posted on the details.

So here is the finished product: the new desk. I like it and the computer works on it very well. The printer even fits on the desk which is a luxury I did not have before.

Here’s to many ghost stories and scary tales in 2024. Maybe I’ll even finish the Great American Novel!

Until next time.….

Posted on by Rachel Connelly - No Comments on New Year, Same Us

New Year, Same Us

I don’t know how it happened, but it’s 2024, y’all!! Every year I feel like January 1st sneaks up on us. That the previous year felt simultaneously like an eternity and like a matter of days. Despite this, it’s generally a welcome change I think. 

WE MADE IT!!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR YOU GUYS!!!!

It’s an opportunity to pack up the past and put it in a box labeled “LAST YEAR”, and start fresh.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to mark the end of a chapter and start fresh, but at the same time my challenge to all of you is to release some of the pressure associated with the new year. By all means, if you’ve got a resolution that you’re passionate about trying, give it your all. But allow yourself some grace if it doesn’t catch on immediately. Make it part of your goal to view your missteps and mistakes as part of your growth journey, rather than a “failure” to achieve your resolution.

Two steps forward, one step back, and all that. Or ten steps forward, nine steps back. It’s all still progress.

And also, if you don’t have a resolution for yourself, or any specific goals for the new year, there’s zero shame in that either. There are 366 days in 2024 (happy leap year!) — January 1st is not the only day you’re allowed to begin a journey or start trying something new. Maybe you don’t want to try something new right now. Maybe you’re happy where you’re at and your current goal is just to keep living life one day at a time, and see where it takes you.

Neither is better than the other. And neither is set in stone. You could resolve to run a mile every morning and decide you actually hate running, and stop doing that by February. It doesn’t mean you failed, you succeeded in discovering that you don’t like something, and should look at other forms of exercise if you want to pursue a fitness journey. You could enjoy your day job now and not want to make changes this year, but decide in a few months you’d actually really like to start taking classes to pursue a new career. You don’t have to wait until January 2025 to start.

More often than not, it actually goes: Goal -> Plan -> Action -> New Plan -> Different Action -> Plan Again -> Revise Goal -> and so on.


Ultimately, as exciting as the clean slate is, it’s important to remember that January 1st is another day on the calendar. We’re creatures of habit, and our brains aren’t naturally wired to make big changes overnight, no matter how big a party we throw signifying that the year is over and we can be a new person now. Any change is going to be gradual, whether you start on New Year’s Day or the middle of September.

My wish for all of you (and myself!) this year is simply that we are all collectively able to carry ourselves with gentler hands. That we’re a little kinder to ourselves and others. It’s been a wild, overly eventful few years, and (not that we need to earn gentleness), I think we all owe it to ourselves to take things slow right now. 

Whatever you resolve this year, wherever 2024 takes you, let it be with compassion for yourself and those around you. Rather than pushing yourself

I believe in you, dude!!

to become someone new, let this new year be one of learning to love who you already are, and build upon that with only the softest, most loving intentions.

I wish all of you the happiest of New Years. May you find pockets of joy and peace in all 366 days. 

Much love,
-Rachel <3

P.S. For what it’s worth, my sole resolution in 2024 is to wear my retainer to bed more. I’ve been slacking since the pandemic began and I can’t let two years of suffering through braces in high school be for nothing. And in three days I’ve already worn it more than last year, so mission already accomplished. Any other achievements this year are just a bonus now.

Posted on by Fern Brady - No Comments on Holiday Time!

Holiday Time!

Well, we finally are on holiday. I rather like the school calendar CyFair has more than the one we used in Alief. We let out for the winter break on Thursday but we don’t return to work until Monday, January 8th. It’s nice having those days post New Year’s to get things done rather than extra days during the hectic pre-Christmas time.

I have to say I was very proud of my students this past week. Many classes were acting up and being squirely but not my kids. They were focused on finalizing work and finishing our sports book club. We had a lovely day on Thursday as we completed an art project and did some writing while listening to music and enjoying snacks.

The one bad thing about the calendar is that we don’t get a day of work before the kids arrive. January 8 is the first day back for everyone. So there’s no time to be in our rooms and prepare. The school will be open on Friday January 5th and I will go early and do a morning of cleaning out the old and being ready for the new.

For now, it is time to clear the mind of that part of my life and focus on other things. During the holidays, I will need to reorganize my work study at home. We had the carpets cleaned and so everything is just topsy-turvy in there. It will be good to go through my files and purge and organize again.

Plus, now that I have a better handle on the time I need for school work, I can plan the time allotments for Inklings, Houston Writers Guild, and my own writing time much more realistically. It has been hit or miss with that this semester and it has added stress as I toggle from one thing to another in a disjointed manner. I hope to start 2024 with a more streamlined agenda — you guys remember my post about how I do my time allotments, right?

Right now, as I write this I am enjoying some quiet holiday rest. The house is set for Christmas and it is Christmas Eve. We are hosting at our home. And, starting yesterday, we are on a Terminator Saga binge watch. Seems appropriate to choose that series this year…

This will be our final blog post for the year. Ellen, Rachel and I will be back the first week in January. Hope everyone’s holidays are full of love and laughter. See you in 2024!

Posted on by Ellen Seaton - No Comments on Krampus is Back!!!

Krampus is Back!!!

For those of you who are aware of my proclivity for all things spooky, I know you did not expect the winter holidays to come and go without a greeting from the skeletons. This is their favorite Holiday outfit, especially because it confuses those who are expecting to see some jolly old elf clad in red. It’s a beautiful day here in Houston and these two are enjoying the fresh air and sunshine while laughing about the reactions they receive from those mere mortals that walk past.

Also, I have had great fun this traditional season of light by studying up on the monsters who are associated with the dark time of the year. As a writer, I am constantly researching new topics for my blog and other stories. This year I learned about Krampus. He is a delightful creature that shows up before the big guy in red and takes care of all the bad little children. Sounds fun!

What I have gathered in my brief studies of monsters is that there are a select few, Krampus being one, that show up just in time for the end of the year when many people celebrate Christmas. The sole purpose of these critters is to scare children into behaving themselves. These creatures almost always are from the northern climates where December is a dark and cold month. People have to stay inside for warmth and survival. The children get bored staying inside so much and begin to get rowdy. One way to make sure the delightful little ones stay quiet is to create monsters to scare them into behaving. When I study Krampus, I see that he will find all of the naughty children and either eats them or sends them into the underworld. In addition to their being banished for ever from the earth plane, it also means means they don’t get any presents or treats! Oh no!

Fast forward a couple of hundred years and what we have now is Santa Claus who will put misbehaving cherubs on a “Naughty List”. Today’s children don’t have to worry about being eaten or thrown into the underworld or anything fun and scary.

I find it very interesting that so many cultures, religions and societies have references to lights this time of year. However, monsters like Krampus come from the cold northern regions of the world. I am still researching this topic, but I have not found any monsters (yet) that steal away the children of tropical climates. Do you know of any? I’ll keep you posted on my research. Then we’ll see what shows up in my writings by next year. Apparently Krampus is making a comeback and taking part in parades. Be on the lookout!

My niece, Becca, sent me this wonderful pillow that pretty much sums up my life. I believe she got it in Salem, Ma. Is it possible that spookiness runs in my family? Can you find it in my DNA? Please don’t tell my sister!

Anyway, I hope that you enjoy your holidays whatever you celebrate. I will stay inside with my skeletons sharing scary stories and drinking hot chocolate.

Until next time.….

Posted on by Rachel Connelly - No Comments on Holidays and Raptors and Lots and Lots of Work

Holidays and Raptors and Lots and Lots of Work

It’s been another busy month here. It’s officially been six weeks since I moved and I’m finally starting to feel settled into my new routine. There have been a lot of adjustments of course, but it’s no longer a daily stressor, it’s all just part of what I do now. 

Somehow the holidays are already here, which seems impossible. I’ve promised myself that I’m not going to stress too hard about gift-giving and making sure everything is perfect. It’s been a hectic year and I think ending it on a low key note sounds perfect to me. 

Amidst it all, I have been working hard on intentionally carving out time to engage in hobbies that bring me joy, that I’d spent the past few years pushing aside. I’m reading a lot more, which was all I did growing up, but recently I’ve struggled to make time for myself to pick up a non-work related book, and it’s been really nice to get back into reading for pleasure.

His name is Brazos and he is so ROUND.

I’m also doing a lot more crafting, both for other people and for myself. I have several crochet projects going that I’ve been commissioned to do and I’ve been painting decor for my friends who are getting married in a few months. I also learned just this weekend that I really love watercolor painting, and would love to do more of it. One of my best friends was

I think he liked my work. This is also my new favorite picture of myself ever.

celebrating his birthday at the raptor sanctuary where he volunteers. They were having a painting class where they brought in one of their birds for us to learn about and paint.

I tend to lean towards crafts that involve a lot of coloring inside the lines, or making an exact number of stitches so the product is identical every time, and it was really

I think I did a pretty good job, too! It’s currently hanging in my bedroom.

freeing and fun to work with something less exact and predictable. I see a lot more of that in my future, and maybe next time I’ll have more art to share!

Until then, happy holidays!!

Posted on by Fern Brady - No Comments on Holiday Decoration Time

Holiday Decoration Time

Added lights to our outdoor front door area this year.

Christmas is coming around again. Seems like only yesterday we were taking down the decor from the last one. Now, it’s time to deck the halls once more. In my family, we take turns hosting the celebrations. This year, everyone is coming to our house.

In previous years, I set up the tree in the entry vestibule. It’s a cathedral ceiling and open to the living room as well as visible from the double front doors. The perfect spot to showcase the lights from the street as well as enjoy them from within. And it looks super cool with our seven foot tree all decorated and the bannister behind it hosting a nice garland.

Last year’s tree in blue and silver. Went with red this year.

Yet it is not a very comfortable set up for the actual gift giving moment. The area has no seating, so we have to bring over the dinning room chairs. It’s not horrible, but it’s not as comfy. Still, it has worked up to now.

This year, I had an idea. Instead of setting up the big tree in the entry area, I set up a smaller tree in the living room. The big fellow could fit but it would looked very cramped. Instead, this little white tree makes the space look pretty and has plenty of area around it for the presents. Since the living room seating is around it, the passing out of gifts is going to be a comfortable affair.

Our spindly white tree and chimney decor.

I also added a garland and lights to the chimney to make the space extra festive this year. All in all, though not as speldorous, the new set up looks lovely in our cozy home.

As I was commencing the decoration day, I looked for my white spindly tree. I could not find it. It was not in any of the storage boxes we had in the one closet that houses all our Christmas stuff. The only small tree I could find was a solid silver statue tree. There was no way to hang any ornaments on him, but he would have to do.

This year’s staircase garland.

I set about decorating it and soon had it looking pretty nice. Then my mom woke up. I asked her what happened to the white pre-lit spindly tree we had bought way back when. She didn’t remember ever having one. At last, my dad came down and he told us it was stored in the garage. I had never considered looking there because as far as I knew only our out door reindeer were in there. Everything else, or so I thought, was in that one closet.

Upon searching the garage, I found the white tree. So, this year, I decorated two trees. The silver statue tree ended up in my father’s office and is in front of a window so there you go. Now, we have a tree that can be seen from outside like we normally did with the entry area one.

Dad’s office got a tree this year… by accident.

So, that’s the saga of this year’s Christmas decorations. By the time it was all set up, it had taken all day and my body was sore. I’m not as young as I used to be. This kind of thing didn’t cause achy muscles before. Nevertheless, it is a worthwhile endeavor to have the home decked out for the holidays.

Posted on by Ellen Seaton - No Comments on After Halloween — The Hauntings Continue

After Halloween — The Hauntings Continue

I’m relaxing this week and for good reason. Another successful presentation of Haunted Holidays Readings at Brazos Bookstore has come and gone. If you missed it you have two options. You can go to https://youtu.be/A83grQr9bis?si=ZETZ-A-2F9k8nxSi

and watch the enjoyable event on WiVLA’s YouTube channel. Also, you can start writing more spooky stories in preparation for next year.

I must take this opportunity to thank Brazos Bookstore and especially, Amy, who helped to coordinate this evening. Also, when you watch the presentation on YouTube, please know that Melody Locke is our wonderful and official film crew.

As you can see the skeletons who participated this year are quite tired and taking a bit of a rest. You might notice that this year Barbie was able to join in the fun. This was in addition to all of the other spooky guests. Once again this year, my good friend, Jim, served as the Chief roadie and skeleton wrangler. He made sure all skeletons made it to the event on time and then landed back home safely. I think we only lost one sock in the process. Also, Sabina Gartler (Sister WiVLA Member) helped with additional decorations. Finally, thanks to all of the wonderful members of WiVLA and the Houston Writers Guild for joining in with their creative talents. It takes a village to pull off a well organized Haunting. Much gratitude to everyone.

Of course, there will not be a lot of time for rest. There are other holidays to consider, but for me and my skeletons, the stress level goes way down. This fine fellow volunteered to be our official Turkey Day mascot. My official Thanksgiving plans include going to Govinda’s for a vegetarian Holiday dinner with all the trimmings. Yes, I actually like Tofu Turkey!!! I will bring enough home to share with my skeleton crew. It’s the least I can do.

So as of now, I have completed all of my public readings for the year. I will keep you up to date with all of the antics me, my crew and my friends get into over the rest of the holidays.

And of course, I have plenty of time to write. I have both short stories and the Great American Novel that I continue to work on. A writer’s work is never done and skeletons can try to scare you all year round! BOO!!!

Until next time.….…..

Posted on by Fern Brady - No Comments on Haunted Holidays is Coming

Haunted Holidays is Coming

Saturday, November 18, starting at 6pm, writers from Houston Writers Guild and Women in the Visual and Literary Arts will be at Brazos Bookstore for the annual Haunted Holidays Short Story Reading. This event began as the brainchild of the amazing ELLEN SEATON.

This year’s flyer, which you can enjoy here, was designed by Melody Locke. Her hauntingly beautiful artwork has given the event a whole new look. The partnership with Brazos Bookstore was originally for Haunted Winter Stories but last year the event was expanded to include any holiday tale with a haunted twist.

If you are a writer and would like to read a story that evening, there are still some spots available. You can register on the information page on the WIVLA website: https://www.wivla.org/calendar-from-mw#!event/2023/11/18/haunted-holiday-readings

The truth is that this year I will be reading a slightly revised version of the first story I ever read aloud for this event. Last year, I made up a whole new holiday for Thyrein’s Galactic Wall because… well I do love world building. But with my new full time job and my second novel waiting for me to finalize the edits from my editors I just didn’t have the time to do a fresh tale.

Original artwork from previous years.

The first year I participated in this event, it was held via zoom because we were mid-pandemic. So it will be nice to see how this winter witchy tale does to a live in person audience. Since I first read it, the characters have, as they often do, taken on a new life of their own. There’s a backstory now of the lady that leaves the cottage to the protagonist of the tale I will read next Saturday at Brazos Bookstore. I am certain that if I’m not careful this could become a whole new series of novellas. Not that I could keep them from blossoming if I sat down in earnest and wrote on it. They might well end up epic novels.

Just because I won’t write again until after the coming Thanksgiving break.

But, I must keep them where they are now — short tales. I have to get the two connected series I already have books published on out before I go off into yet another story line.