April 30, 2023

Z - Zzz (Naps to Heal from Depression) + BONUS

 


Napping has been proven to have many benefits, from relieving stress to improving test scores in students. By taking 20 to 30-minute naps in the middle of serious studying, students were able to retain more of what they had studied than students who didn’t take a nap.

Naps also can replenish our energy, but the key is to take a short nap. If you nap for an hour or more, you can wake up feeling more tired than when you laid down. Lying in bed, however, for 20 to 30 minutes is much more restful. All you need is a short nap to revive you for the rest of your day.

When you are suffering from depression, naps may be necessary. Many of us who suffer from depression can struggle with sleeping at night. I would lay in bed for hours, tossing and turning, while my brain yakked on and on about every topic, analyzed the day I had, and thought about the next day. By the time I finally fell asleep, my sleep wasn’t truly restful. In my dreams, I felt awake, as if I lived them.

Each day, I was extremely tired, hardly able to function. The only thing I could do was take a nap, and I did. I’d sleep for a couple of hours, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Yes, I lost a lot of time during the day, but I needed that sleep. After my nap, I’d finally be able to get work some done, and I made the most of it. I accomplished a lot, so no one knew I was experiencing depression or took long naps. No one ever saw me lagging behind, either, and I wanted to keep it that way.

If you find yourself in the same position, do not feel guilty for taking naps. You need it. Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for napping, either. Tell them about your struggle and how tired you are. If they care, they will see your physical and mental exhaustion and encourage you to get some rest.


Nighttime:

One thing that helps me to focus my mind at night, so it doesn’t jump from this to that, is thinking about my current work-in-progress. This is my favorite bedtime ritual. I’ve done it since the age of twelve, when I started to write my first novel. It’s almost like daydreaming with your eyes closed and while you are stretched out in bed. Granted, this does keep me awake for a while, but I have never been one to fall asleep quickly. I need something that’ll tire out my brain. (As though all my writing and thinking during the day isn’t enough…it isn’t.)

The bonus to this is the wonderful ideas I get. I concoct whole conversations this way and come up with scenes and plot twists. All it takes is pondering my story, my characters, where I am currently in the story, and what I know will be coming next. It’s so much fun for me.

If you have a hard time keeping yourself from agonizing over the day or worrying about tomorrow, think about the story you’re working on. Let your characters occupy your thoughts and talk to you. Imagine what could happen. See the potential. Any sparks that come from this fantasizing are meant to be. I tend to remember these sparks, but you may want to have a notebook and pen handy to jot down notes to remind yourself of your fresh, new ideas.

Now, snuggle up in bed. I give you full permission.

More, give yourself full permission. 


BONUS A TO Z

THEME: AVRIANNA HEAVENBORN


Z - Zota Family


The Zota family is the family that adopted Avrianna as a new born, after she was found floating in the Aurora Diamond.

There was Peter Zota, her adoptive father, Laurali Zota, her adoptive mother (Sassy's sister and Grandy's daughter), and Déjà Zota, her adoptive sister.

The only Zota we get to meet in any of the Avrianna Heavenborn novellas is Déjà because, unfortunately, Peter and Laurali had passed away when Avrianna was young. What happened and how it impacted Avrianna is something that I dig more in to in Book One, the full-length novel that follows the novellas exclusive to Patreon.

One day, Book One will have it's time and Peter and Laurali's stories (as well as Avrianna's story) will be told in completion.

Until then...


To read Avrianna Heavenborn novellas on Patreon, become a patron for just $5.00 a month. You get access to special perks, too, and you pay-it-forward to a good cause because 10% of all earnings go to StandUp for Kids, a charity that helps homeless American youth.

Become a patron now.






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April 29, 2023

Y - To Be a Writer, You Don't Need...To Be Young + BONUS

 


Many writers start writing at a young age, but not every writer does. Some may start in college. Others may start after they’ve settled down with a family. Still, there are many writers who start later in life, during their retirement. Whatever age you get bitten by the writing bug is when you are meant to start writing. It doesn’t matter if you are a child, an adult, a parent with a job, or retired. When you get the writing spark (a spark for a story) let it burn and write.

There is no age limit to being a writer or for when someone can start writing.

My mom started writing before she married my father, but she put it aside as she had children, as many mothers do. Then, when I was about five years old (the youngest child in the family), she started to write children’s stories. She picked up writing on and off as she did all the duties of a stay-at-home mom and continued when she had part-time jobs. She wrote adult stories as well, set during the pioneer times. Finally, when we were teenagers and able to take care of ourselves, she got back in to writing full force.

No matter your age or responsibilities, writing will always find you.

There is no age limit to publishing, either. My mom published her first children’s books after her full retirement. She couldn’t be happier, and it fills me with joy to see her dream coming true.

I know many writers who started later in life, and I think it is wonderful. One person told me that when she was young, someone told her she would be a writer, but she decided she wouldn’t write until her body went. In other words, when she wasn’t able to physically work anymore. So, she’s writing now, but she added these words, “Except, it’s too late.”

No, it is never too late to start something.

It is never too late to begin a new dream or to pick one up you’ve pushed to the side. It is never too late to do something for yourself.

It is never too late to write or be an artist.

Grandma Moses started to paint in earnest at the age of 78, and she rose to great success. Laura Ingalls Wilder started writing at forty, but she was in her sixties when Little House in the Big Woods was published. Frank McCourt published Angela’s Ashes when he was 66. Millard Kaufman, co-creator of Mr. Magoo, began writing Bowl of Cherries at the age of 86, but it wasn’t published until he was 90. And James A. Michner wrote 40 books after the age of 40.

Whatever age you start writing or publishing doesn’t matter as long as you are doing it and living your dream. Don’t let anyone tell you that you are too old to write or publish.


BONUS A TO Z

THEME: AVRIANNA HEAVENBORN


Y - YOU

You.

Yup, you.

I need YOU to keep my Patreon goals going, to write and publish all the Avrianna Heavenborn novellas that I have planned.

Where do you come in?

By becoming a patron.

If any of the excerpts and tidbits about Avrianna and her novellas have intrigued you over this past month, please consider becoming a patron for just $5.00 a month.

As a patron, you’ll receive:

⭐️ exclusive novellas that follow Avrianna Heavenborn as a detective. Every Tuesday a new chapter will be released. Each novella builds up to the beginning of Book One to my “Secret Book Baby Series.” These stories will be in their rawest state, only edited by me, not seen by anyone else but you. 

⭐️ access to all previous content

⭐️ an invitation to a special Discord where you can chat, get to know each other, ask me questions, and name characters

⭐️ behind-the-scenes content

⭐️ bonus material

⭐️ patron-only giveaways (hosted on Discord)

You’ll also be supporting me as an artist, disabled writer, and caregiver. ❤️

As if all of that’s not incentive enough, when I reach 10 patrons I’ll do a patron-only giveaway (hosted on Discord). All patrons on Discord will be automatically entered for a chance to win.

You also get to pay-it-forward to a good cause because 10% of all earnings go to StandUp for Kids, a charity that helps homeless American youth.

Pledge now and get your Interplanetary Passport to New Vida. 💫






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April 28, 2023

X - To Be a Writer, You Don't Need...XOXO + BONUS

 


You don’t need love to be a writer...and by that, I mean you don’t need to have ever loved or been loved back by a significant other, by someone special, to write about love. You may not be in love right now, but you may write the sweetest romances. You could be a damn good romance author and have never been in a serious relationship. You could write the most realistic love scenes and have never been kissed. You could have a broken heart but write the most beautiful love stories with the best happily-ever-after endings. You may have never been and may never be married, but you could write about married characters people love and wish they knew...even wish they were.

That is the beauty of our imaginations. We can conjure things in our minds and make them real with our words. That, my friends, is the power of being a writer.

You won’t always have gone through the same things as your characters, but you can still write about them. You may not have experienced true love or love at first sight or love period, but you know your fantasies. You know your heart.

I have never been in a tsunami, and yet I wrote an amazingly realistic tsunami scene and the aftermath. I have never done half the things my characters have done or gone through what they have endured, but I write their stories as realistically as I can. I have never been in the sort of relationship my characters Beth and Donovan are in, but that didn’t stop me from writing about their love, from the moment they meet through all of the steps of a strong, loving partnership. I hear lovely feedback from readers about these characters and their love for one another. Someone once asked if there is or ever was a man like Donovan in my life. I created a YouTube video about it and published it to my channel.

No, there is not and has not been a man like Donovan in my life, and maybe that’s why he’s so great. Maybe that’s why I enjoyed writing about him.

Even if you’ve never experienced true love, love at first sight, or any level of love with a significant other, you could use your fantasies, your hopes, and your dreams to write romance stories that others can relate to, because many people will want those same things. When you can tap into your own desires, it becomes a powerful thing.

You may not have love in the real world, but you do in your story’s world.

Enjoy it!


BONUS A TO Z

THEME: AVRIANNA HEAVENBORN


X - X Marks the Spot


Where is the X? The X is the location of, usually, tressure. This time the location is the setting, or one of the settings, for Alien Killer, the third novella I'll be sharing exclusively on Patreon.

So...where is the X?

Area 51, Earth.

Alien Killer is inspired by the short story I wrote for We Know the Truth, Do You? An Anthology to Celebrate the Raid. The anthology was created to have fun with an event created in 2019 where people planned to (in jest, mostly) to storm/raid Area 51. I wrote Detective Heavenborn for the anthology while recovering on the couch after having surgery to remove an ovarian cyst and endometriosis.

I had no intention to make this story longer until I was considering novellas I would write and publish on Patreon. Suddenly, the idea came to me for how that story could continue from where it left off, and it's going to be fun and action-packed like never before.


To read Universal Killer, Cocky Killer, Alien Killer, and all future Avrianna Heavenborn novellas on Patreon, become a patron for just $5.00 a month. You get access to special perks, too, and you pay-it-forward to a good cause because 10% of all earnings go to StandUp for Kids, a charity that helps homeless American youth.

Become a patron now.






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April 27, 2023

W - Write Down Your Dreams + BONUS

 


NOTE: I fell behind with visiting blogs and returning comments the past two weeks because I was having a really hard time with my grief after losing my mom last month, but yesterday I caught up with one visit each to the bloggers who had visited me during that time (if I was able to access their blog), and I will do my best to return comments each day to the end of the challenge.


I have extremely vivid dreams where I can remember every detail upon waking. Because of this, many of my dreams have inspired stories. I wake up from dreams all the time and think, “That would make a great story!”

30 Seconds came about from a dream I had where I was spinning around on a swivel chair, with rock music blaring, when a pair of hands stopped the chair, and a man in a police officer’s uniform kissed me. Hubba-hubba. Well, I thought upon waking, “How can I turn this into a story?” I stayed in bed, thinking about it and created Dr. Dani Hart and Officer Blake Herro. The dream I had is even a scene in my novella.

I have several other works-in-progress inspired by dreams, too. What I do is go backward and figure out what happened up to what I dreamt about, and I swap myself out for a female character I invent who works for the story. Or, more precisely, a female character steps forward, telling me it’s her story, not mine.

After examining the “Works-in-Progress” folder on my computer, I can tell you I have twelve stories that all came to me because of a dream. I also have a list of ideas I haven’t begun, and several of them originated from dreams.

Dream Journal

As soon as you wake up, before you lose your dream, write down everything you remember about it. Even the odd twists and turns that dreams are known to make. This is a potential story waiting to be developed and written. You can morph it into a story of any length. We’re not just talking about novels here but short fiction, too.

Or maybe you can use bits and pieces of your dream as scenes for your current work-in-progress. I’ve done that, too.

If you pay attention to your dreams, they can be an infinite source of creativity for you. Writing down your dreams and looking back at them can spark ideas for countless stories. So, document them, let them stir your conscious mind, see where they take you as a creator, and write. After all, you own your dreams. They are yours. Use them!


BONUS A TO Z

THEME: AVRIANNA HEAVENBORN


W - Wizard of Oz Joke


In the first chapter of Universal Killer, when Avrianna is at the crime scene located at the Veil, she does something rare. She says a joke.
Universal Killer Excerpt:

Avrianna’s gaze swept across the ground, searching for the dead body. Except, there wasn’t one. Well, not all of one, anyway. A pair of black leather shoes and a pair of ankles poked through the Veil. Whoever had been killed there, the rest of their body wasn’t even in her world.

A middle-aged man with dark hair that reached the collar of his white polo shirt stood a few feet away, staring at the feet and jotting notes in a pad. She joined him. “Hey, Chuck.” She put her hands on her hips and eyed the leather shoes. “So, is this the Wicked Witch of the East’s spouse?”

Chuck looked at her with wide, blue eyes. “Did you just make a joke?”

Her lips quirked at the corners. “I’m not a robot. I can make jokes.”

“I’ve never known it to happen.”

To read Universal Killer, Cocky Killer, and all future Avrianna Heavenborn novellas on Patreon, become a patron for just $5.00 a month. You get access to special perks, too, and you pay-it-forward to a good cause because 10% of all earnings go to StandUp for Kids, a charity that helps homeless American youth.

Become a patron now.






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April 26, 2023

V - Vision Board + BONUS

 


This is probably a technique that will make many people groan, but in my rock bottom period, I decided it was the perfect time to create a vision board to help me visualize what I wanted into reality.

On my vision board, which was just a white poster board, I had a picture of a house because we were nearly homeless, a picture of a car because we were carless, a picture of a stack of money because we didn’t have any, and a picture of a big digital camera because I’d always wanted one.

I looked at that vision board every night, because I had it tacked to my wall in front of my bed. I visualized those things in my life, and I sent out prayers to the Higher Powers and to the Universe to bring those things to my life in a positive way. I even chanted affirmations that I would get those things, instead of asking for it. “I will win my disability case. I will win my disability case. There’s no other option. I will win.”

I once read that it is better to give a time limit to your prayers, to the things you are asking for. So, while staring at my vision board, I would say, “Please help me get a house before we have to move out of this apartment,” which was in a matter of months.

What do you want to manifest in your life?

If you want to publish a book, add an image of a book, either a real one or one you’ve drawn, and create the cover to look like your book with your author name and the title on it.

If you want an agent, find a photo of someone who looks professional and attach it to your board. You can use a pair of hands clasped in a handshake to symbolize a positive work relationship.

What is causing your depression and what could make you feel better?

Do you have a broken heart? Add an image of a heart intact.

You could even fill your vision board with things that make you happy in order to manifest happiness. Cut out dozens of smiles and smiley faces and tape them around your vision board to inspire you to smile.


Symbols of Happiness/Hope:

- Red and Yellow Roses

- Rainbow

- Heart

- Sun

- Dove

- Anchor

- Elephant


Fill your board with your dreams and goals and whatever makes you happy.


BONUS A TO Z

THEME: AVRIANNA HEAVENBORN


V - The Veil & Veena


The Veil is the portal that links Earth to New Vida.
Universal Killer Excerpt:

The closer she got, the more the Veil became visible. The crystal arch rose high into the sky so that the peak was hidden by clouds. Inside the arch, an opal sheen moved like a waving flag. During the day, a line of cars to the right could be seen waiting to drive through it to Earth, and next to that, a flow of vehicles appeared as if from thin air, entering her world—New Vida.

Veena is Avrianna's adoptive cousin. As Sassy's daughter, who is Avrianna;s foster mom, Veena is also Avrianna's sister 

Universal Killer Excerpt:

Avrianna held the door open for Veena while she yanked her rolling suitcase up the doorstep. “Can you get my other one?”

“Other one?” Avrianna turned to see a second, identical suitcase sitting on the welcome mat. She stepped out to get it and was amazed at how heavy the thing was. “What in the world do you have in this thing?”

“Shoes.”

Avrianna tripped over one of the suitcases wheels. She straightened and gaped at Veena. “Shoes?” She pointed. “This thing is full of shoes?”

“Yup.”

“And what do you have in that one?” Avrianna pointed at the suitcase Veena had rolled up beside the chair where Sassy had flung her feather boa the night before.

“Clothes.”

Avrianna hid her grin. Like mother like daughter. 

To read Universal Killer, Cocky Killer, and all future Avrianna Heavenborn novellas on Patreon, become a patron for just $5.00 a month. You get access to special perks, too, and you pay-it-forward to a good cause because 10% of all earnings go to StandUp for Kids, a charity that helps homeless American youth.

Become a patron now.






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April 25, 2023

U - UVB Rays (HappyLight) + BONUS

 


What is a HappyLight®? It is a therapy lamp that emits full spectrum (natural) light to mimic sunlight, which is used to increase one’s mood, energy, and focus, especially in the winter when many people go without adequate sunlight for months.

When someone is experiencing depression what is usually affected?

Mood

Energy

Focus

A HappyLight® lamp could provide someone with depression or winter blues (seasonal affective disorder or SAD) with healing daylight. It is said that a good 10-30 minutes (depending on your skin’s sensitivity) of midday sunlight several times a week, over about a third of your body (arms and legs), is what is needed to maintain healthy blood levels.

When someone has a vitamin D deficiency, they are at risk for osteoporosis, cancer, depression, muscle weakness, and in extreme cases, death.

Sunlight promotes the production of serotonin, which is responsible for all of our happy feelings, as well as melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. Feeling upset/sad/lonely and not getting enough sleep are all things that someone with depression can experience.

Furthermore, exposure to sunlight makes vitamin D from cholesterol (in skin cells). We could all do better without high cholesterol, and this is a natural way to lower it.

Many people have a vitamin D deficiency and don’t know it. Sitting in front of a window while at work or writing won’t accomplish that, even if the window offers a lot of sunlight, because UVB rays cannot penetrate through glass.

A safe way to get vitamin D (other than taking vitamin D supplements according to directions) is through a HappyLight®, which doesn’t have harmful UV rays that cause sunburns, wrinkles, and (in extreme cases) skin cancer. You can position this lamp next to your chair, on a stand beside your couch, on your desk, anywhere indoors, even in your car during your commute. You can get your much-needed dose of natural light while you write, read, watch TV, or walk on a treadmill.

These lamps can cost anywhere from $30 - $175, but the investment on your happiness and health, especially when you no longer want to suffer from low mood, energy, and focus, is worth it.


BONUS A TO Z

THEME: AVRIANNA HEAVENBORN


U - Universal Killer


Universal Killer is the first novella available exclusively on Patreon.

BLURB:

A call brings Detective Avrianna Heavenborn to the Veil, the very portal that bonds New Vida to Earth. A man was killed there by a spiral bullet. The suspect? An assassin who is turning New Vida into their personal shooting range.

When more people fall at the assassin’s hands, Avrianna vows to catch the assassin and make them pay. But the universal killer has a new target, and the clock is ticking.

 

To read Universal Killer, Cocky Killer, and all future Avrianna Heavenborn novellas on Patreon, become a patron for just $5.00 a month. You get access to special perks, too, and you pay-it-forward to a good cause because 10% of all earnings go to StandUp for Kids, a charity that helps homeless American youth.

Become a patron now.






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April 24, 2023

T - Take Care of Yourself + BONUS

 


When I get stressed or am too busy with marketing my books, editing, or doing one of the many authorly things I have to do, I can neglect myself by not drinking much water, skipping breakfast, and even forgetting to eat my lunch until two or three hours past lunchtime. This is not healthy. Take it from me.

Years ago, I was so overcome with the release of my first eBook, Hurricane Crimes, that I ate, drank, and slept promo. Not an adequate form of nutrition, that’s for sure. I lost a bit of weight. One evening, I started to feel lightheaded and weak. I knew instantly it was probably because I hadn’t drunk enough water that day. Immediately, I got a bottle of water, and, while sitting in front of a fan, drank until I felt better. This was a big lesson learned for me.


Here are tips for taking care of yourself:


1. Hydrate

To maintain your brain power, you need water. Our brains are, after all, made up of about 70% water, and our bodies are 60% water. Experts say to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily to help your metabolism and stay on top of your performance. Dehydration is not good. If you suffer from dehydration, you can become very sick. Keep up your intake of water. This doesn’t have to be straight water, though. Coffee, tea, and juice count.

I like to keep a bottle of water on my desk if I need it. I also have a coaster for my cup of green tea I drink in the morning, and for my cup of decaf coffee I enjoy in the afternoon with a sweet goodie.

Which brings me to…


2. Eat

On days that I know I have a lot of work to do, shortly after I wake up, I head over to my desk and get down to it. No breakfast whatsoever. As I mentioned before, I can even work through lunch. Bringing snacks to your desk to sustain you during the day can keep you fueled while you write. Healthy snacks, though, not junk food. Just as our brains and bodies need water, they also require fuel in the terms of food, because food becomes energy, and we need energy to stay on top of our writing game.

Some snacks that are easy to have at your desk:

- Granola or protein bars

- Can of peanuts (Even the honey glazed ones count. Pour them in a dish for easy access.)

- An apple

- Baby carrots

- Trail mix

- Snack-sized bags of chips or pretzels

TIP: Shake out your keyboard and wipe it down with anti-bacterial wipes to keep it clean between your snacking periods.

Whatever you eat at your desk and however much water you consume, just make sure to hydrate plenty and get nutrition through food to keep yourself strong—physically and mentally.

When you’re experiencing depression, this is even more critical. Taking care of yourself is key to getting back to a good, healthy place. You may not feel like doing much of anything, or even getting out of bed, but you need to hydrate and eat. If you do nothing else, at least do that.

But there is something else you should do that I highly recommend…


3. Bathe

Oh, baths are my favorite. At the end of stressful or busy days, especially on your bad days, take a bath. Turn off the lights, light a few candles, drop lavender or orange essential oils into the water, and then lay back and relax. When I do this, I sometimes listen to music, such as 90’s music or meditation music. You can let silence surround you or listen to your favorite tunes.

Let your stresses melt off you as you take a good, long bath. Your muscles won’t ache as much and you’ll feel relaxed, which is a gift after a hard day.


Eat.

Drink (water).

Bathe.

Take care!


BONUS A TO Z

THEME: AVRIANNA HEAVENBORN


T - Thank You, Sparklers


In 2019, when I wrote Cocky Killer, I had a street team group on Facebook. I asked the members there for help on naming characters in Cocky Killer.

So, I want to give my Sparklers a shout out here and share the character names they came up with.

  • Bow Prancer (Bow a contribution from Juneta Key, Prancer a contribution from Toi Thomas)
  • Soren (named by Elizabeth)
  • Axel Sherman ( Axel a contribution from Sarah Rush, Sherman a contribution from Sherry Fundin)
  • Ashton O'Riely (Ashton a contribution from Kelly, O'Riely a contribution from Juneta Key)
  • Diago Wilson (Diago a contribution from Tiff)
  • Mila Kinley (named by Kathy Weiland)
  • Samantha Ryan (named by Cindy Schmidt Mongomery)

Naming characters is something you will have many opportunities to do if you become a patron, because I struggle to name characters, especially victims as there tend to be several in each story.

For your chance to name characters and read all Avrianna Heavenborn novellas on Patreon, become a patron for just $5.00 a month. You get access to special perks, and you pay-it-forward to a good cause because 10% of all earnings go to StandUp for Kids, a charity that helps homeless American youth.






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April 22, 2023

S - To Be a Writer, You Don't Need...a Support System at Home + BONUS

 


We all want to be supported by our family and friends. It’s only natural. But that doesn’t always happen. Many writers (and artists in general) don’t receive support from their loved ones. The people closest to them may not understand their wishes to spend their time writing for a number of reasons. The people in your life may outright ridicule your dreams or be subtler about it by not ever asking about your writing, which can cause pain, especially if you want to share it with them. They may say it’s a waste of time, not a good career move, not a reliable way to make money, that you won’t ever have the success of So-And-So, etc., etc. Over time, this naysaying can damage writers and actually push them to stop writing. Nothing is more devastating for a writer than to stop writing, for whatever reason. But to stop writing because you’re discouraged by your loved ones’ lack of support breaks my heart.

Again, we all want to be supported in our pursuits, especially if what we’re doing makes us happy and is part of our dream. When it doesn’t happen, it’s incredibly hurtful.

I have heard from writers who quit writing for this very reason and confessed that it was one of their biggest regrets. Why was it one of their biggest regrets? Because they are writers, because they love to write, and were meant to be writing the entire time they forced themselves not to do what came naturally to them. Eventually, many of them picked writing back up, but after many years had gone by.

The worst thing we can do is let the naysayers win.

Have you ever heard that insecure people are the ones who put others down? That they aren’t happy with themselves or their lives, and to make themselves feel better, they criticize others? Well, I believe this is true. The naysayers want you to quit because they want to feel superior over you, as if their life is better, their dreams are more important. They are threatened by what you have, what you do, and what you inspire to do.

When you quit, they defeat you. Don’t. Let. Them. Win.

If you experience negative reactions from others (be it from family, friends, co-workers, teachers...even if it’s just from one or two people who are dear to you), I ask you not to give up or give in. Don’t listen to what they say. Listen to your heart and creativity instead. Let your passion speak louder. Let your muse be your biggest supporter.

There’s a reason why writing is said to be a solitary endeavor, because you only need yourself to write a book. Later, you need more people on your team to help you get your book ready for publication, but to write, it’s just you, your creativity, and your muse. Or in other words: you, You, and YOU.

Now, although I say you don’t need a support system at home, which is a defense mechanism, a support system of some kind is helpful and can build you up when others are tearing you down.

If you don’t have support from the people who you wish would support you, you can write without them (without their blessings or interest) and find other writers who probably need the support, too. Giving support to other writers and receiving it in return can make all the difference.


BONUS A TO Z

THEME: AVRIANNA HEAVENBORN


S - Sassy & Simone


Sassy is Avrianna's adoptive aunt and foster mom. She has her own personal style that often involves pink from head-to-toe and feather boas.

Universal Killer Excerpt:

“Oops,” Sassy said. “I moved your gun’s purse.”

“It’s called a holster.”

“It looks like a purse. I’ll fix it for you.” She started to straighten the holster, but Avrianna slapped her hand away.

“Don’t touch the gun.”

“It’s crooked.” Sassy went to try again.

Whack. “Don’t.”

“But—” Sassy’s fingers zeroed in on the leather case once more.

Whack.

“Fine.” Sassy started to turn away but stopped. “Aren’t you going to snap the button back on?” She poked the button on the strap.

Smack. “Don’t.”

“Safety first, Avrianna.”

Whack.

“Okay, but do you know there’s grease or something on it? Right there.”

Smack.

“Aren’t you going to wipe it off? I’ll get it for you.” Sassy licked her finger and went to clean off the smudge from the back of the polymer gun. 

Avrianna slapped away Sassy’s fingers once more before rounding on her. “Don’t. Touch. The. Gun.”

Sassy sighed. “Fine.”


Simone is the medical examiner at Aurora Police Department and one of Avrianna's closest friends. If Snow White worked with corpses, well, you'd have Simone. Except, Snow White is as gentle as a snowflake and Simone is a flirtatious vixen.

Cocky Killer Excerpt:

Dr. Simone White stood next to the table, writing notes on a clipboard. She flipped a piece of paper over and made a quick notation. She wore her favorite black scrubs, and her black hair was tied into a bun at the top of her head. Her pale skin appeared moon-kissed, and her lips were painted the brightest red Avrianna had ever seen.

“Hey, Sim, what do you got?”

Simone peered up from the clipboard. “It’s what Mr. Sherman doesn’t have that’s the problem,” she said.

Avrianna stood on the other side of the examination table. “What do you mean?”

“Someone castrated him.”

That was far from what Avrianna expected to hear. “Really?”

“Yeah, do you want to see?” Simone reached for the white sheet covering Axel.

“No.” She put up her hands. “I’m good. Thanks. I’ll take your word for it.”


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