Good Morning, Everyone
It is still damp and cool on the south shore of Long Island. Happily, the wind finally blew itself out. Flurries of ornamental cherry trees’ blossoms fell into layers of pink snow. I feel I have been away from my blog-osphere for some time. Pour your morning brew. Let’s catch up.
If we were sipping coffee, I would report that since Easter (maybe before), I have been writing and writing and writing. April 2022 A to Z Blog Challenge took a good deal of attention. I received nice feedback from my Grand Prompts to Ask Your Grands and enjoyed several new blog sites. The biggest challenge I faced with A to Z is keeping up with fellow bloggers. Nevertheless, I earned another A to Z survivor badge, which I must get on my widget sidebar one of these days, but am thinking of re-theming and re-working my website. Also, I bought a domain and will slowly eek into using a new email address: atmartin@stories-served.com . This little change should yield a more professional presence and reduce the likelihood of messages and newsletters getting lost in spam and promotional folders (I hope). Stay tuned.
If we were sipping coffee together, I would announce that hip-hip-hooray, The Wishes of Sisters and Strangers is in the hands of several blessed beta readers. I expect another round or three of edits before handing in the final manuscript. The description and log line also need work.
If we were sipping coffee together, I would confirm that writing is a lonely business but doesn’t have to be isolating. I am so fortunate to have found a few groups to zoom in, share, learn, and write with during the week. The regular meetings keep me accountable for my work. It is also so refreshing to talk about writing with those who are writing. If you have a chance to join or start a small tribe, grab it!
If we were sipping coffee together, I would mention that I will be on the road. Live outdoor bookish events are popping up before school ends.
May 18th Hampton Bays Elementary School, Hampton Bays, NY
May 21st NYS Library Association-SSL Conference, Verona, NY
May 28th Long Island Authors Group Meet and Greet at the Islip Arts Center Westfield Mall
May 29th Riverhead Mosaic Street Festival Riverhead, NY (at the East End Art Council)
June 5th Port Washington Harborfest
If we were sipping coffee together, I would confess that because of the time spent writing, my house is layered in dusty furniture, grimy surfaces, and goodness knows what is sticking on the floor! I’ve neglected spring cleaning and it’s beginning to show. Matt has been in the yard, killing weeds, clearing flower beds and prepping the garden. Peas and lettuce sprouted. He also got one boat launched. It is always a good day when a boat goes in the water and we go for a boat ride without a hiccup. The catboat is next.
Whew! That was a lot. I need a refill. How about you? How has your spring been?
Have a good week. Make it Funtastic!
Great BIG Thanks and appreciation go out to Natalie the Explorer who keeps the Weekend Coffee Share percolating.
Enjoy ❤️. Like 👍. Share 😊.
Pray for peace.
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Thank you, Antoinette, for your #weekendcoffeeshare. Your writing and book promotion activities are impressive. I hope you’re having fun. Have a great week ahead!
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Hi, Antoinette – Congratulations on your excellent progress with The Wishes of Sisters and Strangers. That’s awesome. And housework? That can totally wait — in my experience the house just gets dusty again anyway! 😀
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House cleaning is THE thankless job.
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Ah, spring cleaning is highly overrated. You are writing and producing! That’s much more important.
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Thanks for the permission.
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Hi Antoinette,
I too am thinking about re theming my story blog and would like to know which you are currently using as it looks a lot like my own with 2 improvements that I’ve wanted for quite a while. My switch to your theme might be all I need to do.
We live near agriculture and dust is a way of life. We have many friends who just wrap their days around dusting and, while I like the result I hate the thought of trying to win an unwinnable daily race against the stuff – so we end up living with it.
Sigh.
congrats on your writing accomplishments. It takes time, but is so helpful in keeping our fingers on the keyboards and being sharp about producing well-written pieces. For me, those weekly challenges have best among the best things I’ve done to improve my own writing.
Blessings.
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My current theme is Arcane. Relatively easy to navigate, but once I get a chance I may be trying something new. Thanks a bunch for reading.
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Thanks for the coffee Antoinette. I loved your A to Z challenge and plan on answering those questions.
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I look forward to reading your reponses.
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I’ve never been a dedicated spring cleaner… life needs to be lived and we have writing to do! LOL. I’ve been a little lazy since the A to Z ended. I need coffee…
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Coffee, the great distraction 😆
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