Hello from rainy central Alabama. It’s been busy since I last wrote an update but that’s good!
The mower deck repairs were completed just in time to mow the yard before the current weather arrived. The grass was really high and thick but the mower performed very well. We’ve had rain most every day so getting the yard done was timely. In case you’ve missed the weather reports, Tropical Storm Cindy is landing in the gulf which brings rain to central Alabama both before and after landfall. Rain will continue throughout the rest of the week. Thankfully, we were able to purchase a new cover for the mower to protect the old mower deck. Otherwise, I’ve completed all the small maintenance tasks on the mower. This thing has really taken a lot of my time!
Our new edition to the family, the kitten named Minou, had a new round of standard shots last Friday. By Monday, he had developed a reaction to the shots with a fever. He slept all day but did eat and drink though which was good. He’s slowly bouncing back to his energetic ways after his fever broke Tuesday night.
One of the dogs likes to get on my daughter’s bed when it thunders which she did while Minou was feeling ill. The cat got up and laid down right next to the dog and she didn’t know what to do about that. The Dog let it ride and got comfortable until her dinner-time arrived. It was quite humorous to see the dog’s confused reaction to the cat sleeping so closely with her.
At any rate, I continue working on The White Arrow though I’m progressing a little slower than I’ve planned. However, I do intend to finish the rough draft very soon and begin all the marketing and editing phases during July and August.
I did come up with what I think is a good cover idea for The White Arrow. I emailed my artist and he likes it too. I’m working with him now to complete the cover so maybe it will be here next week at which time I’ll schedule a cover reveal. However, it may have a few versions with differing color-schemes so I may have time for a quick survey for response on which version is best.
I’m also working on scheduling an online event for An Arrow Against the Wind right at the end of the month. I haven’t decided where I’ll host it yet but I do plan on a few giveaways, fielding questions and even offering some digital autographs (using Authorgraph) for anyone attending the event. If it goes well, I’ll schedule a few more over the next several months.
I’m working on a few other online appearances as I have time so check my News page for more about those as well as the online events I’m scheduling. Additionally, a few opportunities may come my way that I’ll announce on that page too. I may land an interview with a local radio station which sounds like a lot of fun. I don’t know if it will work out just yet but the thought of it is exciting. Also, I might land an interview on a local, independent bookstore website. Again, nothing final on it but the opportunity would be nice.
That’s all for today! Thanks for reading and please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section. I’ll respond as soon as I can.
PHS
11 thoughts on “Rain, Ideas & More”
Poor kitty. Hopefully he’s feeling better now.
Best wishes with completing your WIP and with the marketing. Can’t wait to see the new cover.
He’s up and romping around today. However, we are dodging tornadoes today.
Your covers have been outstanding. Can’t wait to see what you come up with. Sounds like you’re keeping plenty busy.
Thanks about the covers. I think this one will be rather interesting to see.
You’ve got a lot in the wings. Fingers crossed everything works out well.
Cindy looks like a mess on the map. We’ll be getting the leftovers by the weekend.
Poor Minou! I’m glad he’s starting to bounce back. That photo of him cuddling with Spark’s twin is adorable! 🙂
We are dodging tornadoes at the moment. I went to the library to work but we’ve been to the basement twice.
Minou is bouncing around like Tigger today!
The dog was really confused but I think she’ll get used to the cat more now. Last night the cat slept under the bed for a while and the dog slept on it – I guess she was cat-sitting…
LOL! They’re becoming buddies, slowly 🙂 Glad to hear that Minou is back to being an exuberant kitten again.
I saw more on the weather last night about Alabama and the tornado and thought of you and your family. It’s good to know you’ve all come through unscathed. We had one “basement run” at my office earlier this week. First ever, but fortunately everything blew over quickly.
That tornado hit a small municipality where I lived in the 90’s and still have friends. Main damage to the shopping district where a state liquor store was demolished but let a full shelf of hooch available to all. There was some looting before the cordoned off the area.
First ever tornado basement run? If I’ve lived one I’ve lived a hundred…
It’s good the damage didn’t take out many homes, and was more restricted to retail…although I’m sure the cost and devastation is appalling.
Taht many basement runs is mind-boggling, but I would imagine you’re used to them. The warning alert on my cell phone (incredibly loud) was the first I ever experienced. I work in a real estate office, so imagine all those cell phones going off at the same time!!
Here’s a good tip for home. If you know there’s a tornado watch in the area, keep at least bike helmets handy for everyone in the house. We learned in this state during the 4/27/2011 tornadoes that helmets can save lives as the majority of fatalities that day were from head trauma from the flying debris. We have a watch today and when we know more about the storms we’ll have the helmets in reach.
Excellent idea. I hope you don’t have any problems today, but at least you’re prepared. Weather can be so crazy. Stay safe!