Thursday Thoughts…Uhm…

Posted on January 9, 2025 by Silver James

Yes. I’m late. And no, it isn’t because I forgot. Though I forget a lot of things. I mean, I do have ADWB (Attention Deficit Writer’s Brain–ooh look, a squirrel!) but that’s not what happened. A squirrel I mean.

Okay, time to ‘fess up. I was hijacked. By two bags of groceries and a piece of indoor/outdoor carpet.

Yesterday was grocery run day. LG normally helps with off-loading but he was ferrying a friend who doesn’t drive to a doctor’s appointment. I’d off-loaded the heavy stuff and was down to one medium-heavy refrigerator bag and one pantry bag that was light. Easy peasy, right? Not if you’re me. Nope. I hooked a toe of my fuzzy mukaluk-style boots in the edge of the mat going in the door. I went down. I hit my left knee–which seems to take all my falls(!) along with a glancing blow of my right, my left arm was jammed and then I face planted. I have a bruised cheek bone, a lump above my eyebrow, a sore nose (I was wearing my glasses) and a stiff neck. It took a while to get off the concrete. Jake helped (as he’s trained to do), along with the metal bakers rack that holds heavy stuff right by the door.

After resting, I got the groceries put up. I tried to work but the headache was having none of it so I went to bed. I considered staying there today, and did manage to sleep/doze until 7 a.m., but here I am. We’re supposed to have snow today. We’ll see.

On that note, I’m going to deal with email, try to maybe edit a chapter or two but if the left arm and shoulder continue to twinge and my glasses keep hurting my nose, I may just go back to bed and put the heating pad on it. That was my stupidity for the week. What dumb thing have you done lately? I don’t want to be alone in my “misery.” 🙄

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Wednesday Words: But Soft, What Light

Posted on January 8, 2025 by Silver James

We are starting off 2025 with totally new words. These words are so new they are completely random. I have no clue who the characters are. I have no idea what the situation is. With luck, maybe I’ll figure it out and these words will appear in a future book. Or maybe an incident will occur in a future book and I can revise these words to fit. Y’all know me. I hate to waste words. *koffs* *looks at word count on MOONSTRUCK MAFIA: BOSTON* *koffs* Yeah. Anyway. The fun news is, I won an honorable mention last week! And with no other fanfare, here’s the Thursday Threads prompt that got me the win: *The world softened.* And here’s where my free writing took me:

****
“Are you okay?”

“Apropos of what?”

“There you go again, using those big words.”

“Fine. In reference to what?”

“In reference to anything. It’s a simple question.”

Maybe for him it was. For her? Not so much. And she felt just ornery enough to argue the point. “How is it simple? For instance, am I okay with being stuck here with you? Am I okay that my life is falling apart? Am I okay that I’m broke? Am I okay that—”

He held up his hands in surrender and cut her off. “Okay, okay. I get it. You aren’t okay. Excuse me for asking. I’ll leave you alone now.”

Barely acknowledging his retreat, she listened to his footsteps fade away. Alone again. She might even prefer it. Oddly, there was comfort in the silence. A flicker on the other side of the window caught her attention. She watched as huge, fluffy snowflakes drifted from the sky like powder sugar shifted onto a chocolate cake by a meticulous decorator.

She rubbed her forehead, wishing the headache would recede. Stress. Once, she’d been carefree and confident. Now? Her world was hard, hurtful, with sharp corners.

Sensing the presence behind her, she didn’t move from the window. Arms circled her waist. “Sorry I’m late, babe. I couldn’t get away when your brother called.”

Leaning against him, with his warmth sinking into her very bones, the world softened. And made sense now that he was there.

“Yeah,” she whispered, now knowing the answer to her brother’s earlier question. “I’m okay.” And she would be as long as this man held her in his arms.
****

There it is. Readers, any ideas of who this might be? Writers, feel free to take the prompt to jumpstart your own creativity. Happy Hump Day!

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Tuesday Tidbits: Nuttin’ Honey

Posted on January 7, 2025 by Silver James

I got nuttin’, honey. At least when it comes to recipes. I’m also wondering how interested people who read the blog are when I’m doing the recipes and attaching them to characters. Maybe that’s a “trend” that’s run it’s course. Or not. I suppose if I come across a recipe and a character and hawking a new book…anyway.

It’s Tuesday. And yeah, I have to agree with the meme. Don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong. It’s just that my little engine that could pulled into Procrastination Station and lost all its steam. Not even coffee seems to help and y’all know me. Coffee is my duct tape. It fixes everything.

Yes, I’m being silly. I’m reading CHRISTMAS MOON as I’m editing/adding and sometimes, my odd humor crops up in weird places in my books. At least it makes me smile. I can only hope that it makes at least some of my readers do the same.

I participated in the Smashwords End of Year Sale. I pretty much advertised all of my series/books on a daily basis on X. I sent out a newsletter. My books were 50% off, but for BLOOD MOON. It was free because it’s only 99 cents. It was free. I got my sales report yesterday. I made $0.00. Yup. Big ol’ goose eggs. That said, I did move 5 copies of BLOOD MOON. Hopefully, people will buy the next books in the series or grab the Genesis books, where are the better value–at least two book plus extras for less money. And did I mention the extras? That aren’t in other books? I’d be really bummed but someone stocked up Sunday on the Moonstruck books (all the series!) on Sunday.

Okay. What’s next. Capital One is still airing the John Travolta/Stayin’ Alive Santa commercial during the college football playoffs. Am I the only one who wants that turned into a Christmas movie? If you haven’t seen it, here’s a partial link. If I put the whole thing in, FB will probably mess it up. youtube.com/watch?v=PXjHEVlXMPY Oh, what the heck. Here’s the video…

And on that note, I REALLY need to stop worrying about blogging or being social on X or selling books. Can’t sell a book that isn’t finished yet. MOONSTRUCK RETRIBUTION, here I come! What’s in your wallet? 😉

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First Monday & A Quarter of a Century

Posted on January 6, 2025 by Silver James

There’s just something about the first Monday of a brand-new year. To me, it really is like starting a new book. Not that I am. Starting a new book. Nope. Working on an old book but more about that in a moment. Right now, I’m going to wax philosophical. A new year is like an empty page. It’s full of possibilities. As the author of your life, the possibilities are endless. Do something wild, a little crazy. Make a point. Treat yourself. Do good. Create something. Stop to pet a dog or cat. Or a horse. Bake a cake and enjoy eating it. Get up out of your chair and take a walk, stopping to smell the flowers. (Okay, that’ll probably have to wait until spring, but you know what I mean…)

In other news, this is 2025. We are 1/4 of way through the 21st century. How crazy is that? I was born a few years after the middle of the 20th century. I look back on the history and the changes and the sheer…stuff that’s happened and I’m gobsmacked. Wow.

Okay. In writing news, I’m actually chugging along with RETRIBUTION. I’m shooting for Valentine’s Day or before as a release. I did get a really nice boost yesterday. Someone(s) bought 21 of my Moonstruck world books. Color me Snoopy Dancing™!

I’ve been on something of a nostalgia kick in my reading lately. I listented to three of Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark-hunter books. Believe it or not, FANTASY LOVER was the firsdt “grown-up” romance I let Only read. I’m like my dad that way. After reading my way through the local library’s children’s section by age 10, he told the head librarian I could check out anything from the adult section on his card. My first two books were THE MOONSPINNERS by Mary Stewart and THE SPY WHO LOVED ME by Ian Fleming. One due to Disney, the other due to Sean Connery. Yes, I was a precocious child. Anyway, I’m currently listening to Andre Norton’s WITCH WORLD. I have a full shelf of Witch World paperbacks–many of them original printings. Yeah, I don’t read them. They just sit on the shelf looking cool.

Not much else is going on in my world. The “polar express” roared through yesterday bringing wind and wind chill factors. We got a grace of snow but it wasn’t pretty and the roads weren’t slick. Not that I got out in it. I got lots of like on an X post that I reposted and commented on. Original poster was asking for advice for driving in/on snow from someone who’d never driven in/on snow. My advice: STAY HOME! I took my own advice and doing so today as well. Too frickin’ cold out there for my old bones. I fed the feral cats this morning then crawled back into bed with the heating pad to get warm. Now that I am, it’s off to work I go. RETRIBUTION waits for no writer. 😉

I have many questions for y’all today. How’s your weather? Whaddya readin’? How’re the New Year’s goals/resolutions/wishes going?

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Friday Sinema: Oookay….

Posted on January 3, 2025 by Silver James

I have no clue is this is actually Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman (probably not but maybe?) but whoever these guys are, I bet you can’t watch just once…

And just to end your week with a laugh…

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Spark

Posted on January 2, 2025 by Silver James

January 2, 2025. Wow. Weren’t we supposed to have flying cars by now? And we’ve managed to avoid a repeat of Orwell’s “1984” so that’s all good. It’s a new year and I’m sensing a change in the emotional weather of the world. I hope it’s not a figment of my imagination. Speaking of… Imagination, that is. Mine has been very quiet lately and that’s no bueno for a writer. This popped up in my inbox and yeah, the Universe gave me a kick in the pants.


Silver, to perform like a star, steal the show, and party with the “Gods”:

Take the stage, do the dance, and invite yourself.

Be the spark, The Universe ©www.tut.com 

P.S. You’re the only one who needs convincing, Silver.

Boy, isn’t that P.S. the truth! For a writer to strike gold (aka a best seller) with a debut novel or even their second, third or however many is a miracle. There are far more midlist authors than bestsellsers because the “elite”? Yeah, they tend to stay there for all sorts of reasons that go far beyond talent. It gets discouraging but those of us who love storytelling keep chugging along. Yes, a part of us want the recognition and the monetary returns but deep inside is the need to share our imaginary worlds and people with others. That said, there comes a time when discouragement settles around our shoulders like a fuzzy blanket and it feels almost comfortable. “If I don’t try, I won’t be disappointed.” “Why bother? Nobody buys my books anyway.” I can go on. I hear that voice in my head soooo often. As time goes on, it gets harder to tell it to shut up and go away. So yeah, that P.S. hit home today because I am TOTALLY the one who needs convincing. It’s the second day of the New Year. No health problems to hold me back. No time contraints. No demands on my time. The only thing holding me back is that blasted voice in my head. Pardon me while I go find my lighter. I’m going to light my own spark and get on with my calling. It’s time to write a book!

What’s your spark this year?

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Happy New Year!

Posted on January 1, 2025 by Silver James

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Tuesday Tidbits: NYE

Posted on December 31, 2024 by Silver James

I’ve never been one for big crowds, loud music, and the nonsense that can accompany both. Yes, I did hit the dance clubs when I was younger–both disco and western. I’m not afraid to admit it. And yes, I did–and do–like to dance, though my dancing now is mostly in my chair or when walking from my writer’s cave to the coffee maker and back. I also like music, but at moderate levels. I’ve never been a fan of crowds but can suck it up and deal when necessary.

I’m also no longer enamored of fireworks. A lot of that has to do with Jake. He hates anything that sounds like gunshots. The deputy who originally rescued him thinks he was probabably shot at. June and July are hell on him. And yes, we have neighbors who think that shooting off firecrackers at midnight to celebrate the is all kinds of awesome. It is not. This is a mixed neighborhood. About half of us now have been here for 15 years or longer and we are OLD. Yes, it’s nice to see young families move in as us oldies pass/move on but it would be nice if they’d remember that some of us are asleep by the 10 o’clock news. Just sayin’…

I’ll step off my soapbox now.

Tomorrow is the first new day in a new year. The possibilities are enticing, like warm chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven served with a cup of creamy cafe au latte or hot chai tea. It makes me want to put my feet up, sip and nibble as I watch the world travel past my window. But that would squander all those possibilities.

I always end the year feeling nostalgic. Correction. I usually end a year that way. This year? I can’t wait to sweep out the old and welcome in the new. 2024 was not my best year. I have hopes for 2025. There’s a sense of anticipation and hope in the air. I’m ready for both. I want to make plans–and bring them to fruition. There are things I want to do. Stories I want to tell. There’s change in the air too. Also welcome though not mine to share at the moment.

Tonight, I’ll be curled up with a good book, some hot chocolate, a fuzzy blanket, and will likely fall asleep and not wake up until the the bangs start. Then I’ll get Jake settled and hopefully back to sleep for me before the sun rises.

Tomorrow, I’ll get up and do all the things I normally do, but I’ll have to remember to write 2025 and remembr that 2024 is out the door and it’s time to carry on and do something bigger, better, different than I’ve done before.

What are your plans?

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One Last Monday

Posted on December 30, 2024 by Silver James

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Wow. Where did 2024 go? This is the last Monday of the year. In about 42 hours, we’ll welcome in a New Year. 2025. Wow. I’m not sure that when I was a kid that I ever thought I’d be sitting here now, typing this. 2024. Amazing. Of course, 2024 didn’t start out the way I planned and what the Big U threw at me ate up half my year. I spent the last half trying to catch up. I didn’t and there’s a bit of frustration there but with 2025 breathing down my neck, it’s time to start looking ahead. Right?

So…anyway. Last week. It was Christmas. The good news is the celebration on the home front came together in record time. We even managed a tree. Long story. But we had a tree and there were presents beneath it. There were homemade cinnamon rolls before opening. There were stuffed stockings and then gifts to unwrap. Everyone got what they wanted, even Stormy. He mentioned wanting to read “War and Peace.” LG found a 1942 edition for him. Understand that Stormy isn’t quite 12. The good news is, no presents were returned. Everyone got things they wanted. Yay.

We had turkey sandwiches for Christmas lunch and ate while watching the KC Chiefs beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both the day and our celebration was low key and that was just perfect for those of us in the James Gang. Oh, there was pie, too. Pumpkin and pecan. Yum.

I haven’t done much when it comes to writing. Okay, I actually managed a short story to keep up the tradition of a Christmas story set in one of my worlds–a peek into the lives of the characters. This years story featured Hannah McIntire, bada$$ main heroine of the Moonstruck series. It was fun and there’s a line on my To-Do List to find all the Christmas stories and make a page for them here on the site. Yes, I have a rudimentary list. More about it another time.

In other news, I finished off Ilona Andrews’ Innkeeper Chronicles, the Graphic Audio dramatized adaptations version. It was a fun marathon. If you like magical fantasy mixed with science fiction, you might give it a try.

And on that note, I need more coffee and it’s time to get on with my day. I’ve stuff to finish off before 2025 sneaks in the door. What last minute things are on your agenda?

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Friday Sinema: A Firestation Story

Posted on December 27, 2024 by Silver James

Okay. I’ll admit it. I fell down the YouTube rabbit hole. Again. I first saw a story about this on Fox. Then I had to find the video mentioned in the story. And then I found more. Welcome to the yearly tradition at the Savage, MN Fire Department where they spoof scenes from Christmas movies. This year: A Christmas Story. (Wish assistance from Savage PD.) Which I admit I’ve never actually watched but have seen so many clips I feel like I have. Anyway, on this Friday after Christmas, grab your drink of choice, put your feet up and enjoy. Besure to watch the “outtakes” at the end! Happy Friday.

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