Getting My Groove Back (Eventually 🙃)!

Hello Friends and Neighbors,
Today has been productive in some ways and non-productive in others. Productive in finally giving a few reviews on products I bought that were flawed. I ended up getting refunds on those items as well. Yay!
Productive in putting away laundry that I have been avoiding, as well as getting a few items ready for Goodwill.
Productive in that I made it to a doctor’s appointment early, and on the way home, I stopped to get a long-overdue oil change. When I say long overdue, I’m not talking about a few or even several months — if you get my drift. I’ll leave it at that. I’m sure that if my dad knew, he’d be rolling over in his grave and shaking his head in disbelief.

Anyway, I have had a somewhat productive day — except in my writing (hair-pulling emoji, if they had one).

I’ve set some goals for myself when it comes to my books and my blog posts, and so far, I am behind in both.

I have finally come up with a title for the novella I’m working on that I want/need/desire/must have done by the end of January and absolutely no later than February 10th. Why? Because I want it to be ready for the book/author event in March. If it’s delayed, I can’t go past February 10th. That lateness will put me and the book in a crunch — and possibly a bind. Again, why? Because after I’ve finished writing it, I have to edit it, then get it to the beta readers, then edit it again based on their feedback. Then, I’ll read it like an audiobook and edit it again before sending it to an editor for even more changes and corrections. Once it comes back to me, I’ll rewrite and correct it, then it will go through the formatting process and finally to publication, where I’ll be able to order copies for the event. Oh, and let’s not forget the cover! It will have to be drawn, created digitally, or something, and ready to go by formatting time.

For blog posts, I’m aiming to have them written the day before so that I can schedule them to publish on the specified day.

Needless to say, I’m not in my Groove. YET!

I’ve found that if my schedule goes off course (even for something good), my groove and flow get redirected or possibly lose momentum for the whole day.

So, instead of “Stella getting her Groove Back” (movie reference), Dorey needs to get her Groove back and in line — finish my novella, finish the prep for another children’s book I’ve been stagnant on, and find a literary agent who will help keep me in line. Why? Because not only does my non-grooviness affect me, but it will also affect them. When someone else has something on the line (commission), they tend to keep the responsible party in line better.

If you know of any literary agents or anyone wanting to become one, let me know, PLEASE. Until then, I need a few more beta readers. My book is a paranormal romance, and there will be some steamy parts (just a warning). But if you would like to be a reader for me, please let me know. Once I am done writing and after the first edit, I will send you my book along with a list of questions to help me make it an even better read for you and everyone else.

Now, I have to get ready for a meeting for my Toastmasters club. We are having our club International and Table Topics contest this weekend, and yours truly volunteered (I really have to stop that 🙃) to be the chief judge. This means I’m in charge of getting the timers, ballot counters, and judges together. Tonight, we are having the “Contest Officials” briefing so that everyone is ready for Saturday. I just hope I will be.

Till next time, I hope your week is filled with tons of love, laughter, hugs, and blessings.

P.S. If you want to know more about Toastmasters or being a Beta Reader, please message me, and I’ll be happy to help.

* And a shout out and Thank You to our neighbors M. and P. for the yummy Christmas popcorn tin. The caramel covered is my favorite. Thank you! M, you really need to publish your poems.