April 2022 IWSG
Back in March, I thought for one little minute that I might take part in the the A-Z Challenge.
Me! The chick who has forgotten nearly every deadline, appointment, and promise made for the last week.
To say I have been a hot mess feels like too much of a compliment. I've been more like a scattered, ugly mess.
So, the idea that I honestly thought I would have the time and presence of mind to post every single day during the month of April, as one would do to complete the April A-Z Challenge, is more than a bit hilarious.
Cue Frank and the High Hopes...
Yeah, that's bad.
You'd think I'd stop. But I won't. I'll pause and take a breather, then I'll be right back at it.
Because I'm a dreamer. A wishful thinker. A reacher for the stars.
As me old Grandma used to say...reach for the stars and you'll never come up with a handful of mud*.
Because I'm a dreamer. A wishful thinker. A reacher for the stars.
As me old Grandma used to say...reach for the stars and you'll never come up with a handful of mud*.
*But you may get dizzy from the lack of oxygen in the stratosphere and forget why the hell you floated up there in the first place.
Until next time...there is this:
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CassaDark
By Alex J. Cavanaugh
His world is unraveling…
Bassan’s father is stepping down from command. His best friend almost dies when Bassan freezes. Now, he’s being sent across the galaxy to speak at an important conference. Despite saving the eleven races years ago, he’s paralyzed by doubt. Could things get any worse?
Once there, new acquaintance Zendar convinces Bassan to visit his planet for a humanitarian mission. Bassan’s special connection to ancient technology is the key to saving Zendar’s people. One problem though—it’s a prison planet.
On Ugar, he discovers things aren’t so straightforward. As each truth reveals itself, the situation grows more desperate. If he can’t find the right answers, he might die along with Zendar’s people. Can Bassan summon the courage to be a hero again?
Links:
iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id1574189874
Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0982FL3SH
Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940164947033
Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/cassadark
Scribed – https://www.scribd.com/search?query=9781939844859&language=0
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58461762-cassadark
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What's the purpose of the IWSG? To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Special thanks to this month's co-hosts: The awesome co-hosts for the April 6 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Jemima Pett, Patricia Josephine, Louise - Fundy Blue, and Kim Lajevardi!
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Thanks for mentioning my book, Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteJust don't forget to breathe and you'll be all right.
Fortunately, God takes care of the breathing. LOL
DeleteI used to do April A-to-Z, but April is also my busiest month of the year at my real job. So... it was a terrible idea. I finally learned my lesson after three? Four times? Sometimes it takes awhile to beat the optimism out of us.
ReplyDeleteIt is a fun idea and if I could ever pre-plan and have all the posts set...look at me, deluding myself again!!
DeleteI love that song. Haven't heard it in forever.
ReplyDeleteAnd, there are much worse things to be, Elizabeth. <3
I love it too. Old musicals make me happy.
DeleteI actually forgot it was April and time for the A-Z Challenge! Hmm, I guess I'm not participating then.... :)
ReplyDeleteIf you're not even sure of the month...you may be worse off than me. hehe.
DeleteCongrats to Alex on his new book! It's great to be a dreamer and plan big. Just be sure to take a rest to refresh when you need to.
ReplyDeleteThat's good advice. I typically spin out of control and hibernate for a few months. Slowing the pace is a better idea.
DeleteI've never done a A-Z challenge either. I can't commit to anything that long. Is it really April!??? LOL. Happy IWSG Day Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteI finished once and dropped out once. I enjoyed it, but it's a tough challenge.
DeleteHappy IWSG day to you too!
Whooboy! I hope you don't burn yourself out by stretching all your scattered pieces too thin. I think your positivity is awesome, and I hope it keeps your best interests in mind.
ReplyDeleteGrats to Alex! Woot!
I'll never completely burn out. I might go dim and recharge, but never out of it. No worries there!
DeleteI love your grandma's quote!! I'm pretty scatterbrained and forgetful. I have to keep a daily itemized list on my calendar or things slip through the cracks.
ReplyDeleteI usually do. The trouble starts when I answer emails from my phone and don't add stuff to my list. Maybe I should make a folder and put things that need attended to in there rather than allowing the emails to get buried in the spam...
DeleteI did the AtoZ challenge for years, and now I can't seem to find the time for much of anything. I always have high expectations of getting a lot done, but then I fizzle out. I have to remind myself, and you, Take it One Day at a Time!
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly how I do it. I'm beginning to realize my ability to estimate how long it takes me to do something is way off. My minutes are really, really long.
DeleteHappy to see CassaDark all over the blogosphere :)
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteI don't think I could ever do the A-Z challenge again. It was fun for a few years but now my focus is elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteI love the poem!
Maybe A-Z on Instagram with just pictures...
Delete"an old fragged computer on a dial up line."
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh. That is sooo me! My short-term memory is crap these days.
Don't worry. We love you anyway. :)
Awww shucks...
Deletewhere would I be without writer besties? <3
I gave up on the A to Z years ago and I still have too much going on.
ReplyDeleteThanks for featuring Alex's new book.
The concept still intrigues me. I just don't have the time.
DeleteI feel just as frazzled by the daily news, but I feel that writing keeps me anchored to what is real. Just the act of sitting down first in the morning to focus brings me a sense of order and peace. I would have liked to have read your poems. Maybe don't apologize for being frazzled. After two years of Covid and the worsening situation in the Ukraine, as well as personal challenges, aren't we all? Sending thoughts of comfort.
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point! We have survived so much. It's no wonder our brains are on overload. I worry about the world and the future and the present...that very well could be at the center of it all. I'll just breathe, like Alex said.
DeleteI tried A to Z last year and found it very stressful. No more. Not this year anyway. I understand your situation perfectly.
ReplyDeleteMust try to maintain the balance.
DeleteI'm not even sure I could keep up with an A-Z social media post. LOL
ReplyDeleteI wish I had the time to do April A to Z again. The first time was a lot of fun. The second time was a little more stressful because I didn't have enough time to spend on it. Then I switched jobs and had no time for anything for a while. In 2020, I started a relaxed version by posting every couple of weeks instead of every day, but another time crunch fizzled that out. I may start it up again because it's fun when I have the chance. Hope you get that time for a breather!
ReplyDeleteIt was a lot of fun. Maybe there could be a mini A-Z where you post n weekends and each alphabet is done in 100 words or less. LOL
DeleteI like your attitude and I'm sure you'll better next time. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Thank you! I'm a few days past it and getting the work and schedule managed.
DeleteI'm late. Well, I'm that way a lot these days, but I'm working on catching up, and who knows, but that I might.
ReplyDeleteI loved Writers Are Forgetful, and I loved your post this month. And, hey! You didn't forget to do it. I'd say you're doing just fine.
I do remember to do more than I forget to do. That's says something, I guess. LOL
DeleteNo A-Z or Camp NaNo for me either this year. I so get your "scattered, ugly mess" and slow, tired brain, Elizabeth! At least we don't have handfuls of mud. Onward and upward! Have a great April.
ReplyDeleteThat's it exactly. We will just keep at it!
DeleteI love your grandmother's statement, and I had forgotten about this song... I loved listening to it again.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
Let's breathe and then... well, the stars aren't getting closer, but maybe I'll add some balloons to my house and get higher up. :P
I've convinced myself that in the worst case, I'll reach the stars post houmously. Perhaps I'll be a writing wonder in Heaven.
DeleteScattered, ugly mess? I believe every writer has had those. I know I have. I love the Frank Sinatra song. Life itself teaches people things. Your grandmother's advice helps, just as my mother's advice to keep dreaming and keep going helps me.
ReplyDeleteOn my down days, besides crying about it, I get up from my desk and go for a walk down to the lake. No matter the weather. Sometimes it helps. Sometimes it doesn't. Either way, I stretch both my neck and my legs and hope for a better tomorrow. All best to you!
That is very good advice. I didn't have a lake to walk around, but I took a day to clean out my flower beds and did some spring cleaning. That's sort of the same concept, right?
DeleteYes it is, Elizabeth. And I do that, too. It's getting out in the fresh air or freeing your home of dust and clutter. Bravo to you!
ReplyDeleteI've signed up for your newsletter. I've read your free book and left reviews before. Thanks for all you do to assist your fellow writers.
Oh thank you! Now, I need to send out a newsletter. :)
DeleteAnd thank you for the reviews. That makes you a gold-level blogger peep. :)
High hopes sometimes come down with a bang lol
ReplyDeleteLike the pop of a balloon.
DeleteI actually planned to do the A-Z challenge. Then I realized I was neglecting my fiction writing to keep up with blogging as it is. Posting daily would have meant doing almost no other writing, so I made myself prioritize and opt out. Maybe next year (ha).
ReplyDeleteI feel like I'm a hot mess all the time. Too many commitments, no time to sit and rest, and then when I finally collapse in exhaustion I'm too much of a zombie to enjoy it. *sigh*
I have found that when I do really well at blogging, I quit writing the stories. It's like my brain doesn't know how to switch gears.
DeleteMaybe hot messes is just how we roll...I have to admit, I am NEVER bored.
I'm doing the A2Z and struggling, honestly. Thanks for featuring Alex--I plan to read the entire series all over again now. :)
ReplyDeleteDamyanti
It is a lot of work.
DeleteI need to get the new book for my husband. He's a huge sci-fi Alex fan. I like them, but I'd like them better if they wore gowns and went to balls.
The A-Z Challenge is a lot of work and takes a lot of focus. That's why I haven't done it in years. LOL. Congrats to Alex!
ReplyDeleteFocus...that's a foreign concept to me most days.
DeleteYou accomplish so much, Liz. I wouldn't even begin to take on half of what you do.
ReplyDeleteAlex's latest is out of this world. I really enjoyed it.
Aww, thanks Sandra. You're too sweet.
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