Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Renewed!


January 2020 Blog

We, who survived the year just past, let us rejoice in the present.

Renewed: A Haiku
Salute! And Welcome!
The New Year lives and breathes and
I along with it.
by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

The above is Haiku #2192. I posted Haiku #1 on Twitter on Jan 1, 2014. Like the Energizer Bunny, I just keep going and going and...
It is time to rejoice.  We have been given a brand new year. It is also time to hope that we make better use of it and our resources than we did in 2019.
For  me, that would mean more writing, more editing and more publishing – more of the things that matter and less of the things that don’t.
I also need to find a writing space inside, since winter has finally taken hold, and even in the sun, it is too cold for me to write outside in my beloved backyard.
Right now, I’m considering writing in bed, under the quilts, listening to classical music. Think that will be my best bet.  I’m sure the puppies will want to snuggle up and help. (As I am writing this, I’m sitting outside in the cold sun, freezing my little fingers off. Not sure where my gloves are.)
But regardless of where I decide to write, I need to write – like Stephen King says to do – at least 1,000 words a day. (Seems to work for him, although I’m certain he writes more than that.)
I also need to set aside a bigger chunk of time for editing, publishing and promotion. The last being my least favorite thing to do.  I never could sell anything – not even real estate. (Tried that back in the ‘70’s.)
I’m actually looking forward to this year. It’s brand new and comes full of promise. We should all see what we can do with it, explore all it has to offer, and choose its best.
The best for me will come with sequels and prequels published along with my protest of climate change denial. I need to add my voice to Greta Thunberg’s and Jane Fonda’s and do what I can to help more people realize that we are indeed close to the tipping point – that point beyond which we can do nothing to reverse the damage we have done to this Earth.
My voice may not be as loud as the two I have mentioned, but I would join their chorus gladly and shout “Climate Change Emergency” to the rooftops.
I’m also anxious to get more audio books released. I’ve had such great response to “The Cottage” audio book narrated so brilliantly by Christine Brewer that I can’t wait to see how my other novels do.
“The Seasons of Sam Rock” narrated by Steve Hamm is in final editing. I’m going to put “The Aurora UFO Incident - A Novel” out for audition next and then The Chronicles of Acqueria: Blood Moon Treachery”. They all deserve to have their own voice – so to speak.
The newly scheduled publication date for “Global Warning” is now Earth Day (April 22, 2020).  Couldn’t  think of a more appropriate day.
Hopefully, with the renewed interest of so many people, this Haiku collection will help spread the word that the Earth is in trouble, and the entire world needs to act to stop the damage from getting worse –  if we cannot reverse what we have done.
I am still looking for an environmental group to which to donate $1.00 of the proceeds from the sale of each book. Haven’t made a decision on that yet.
To all my writer friends out there, let’s make 2020 a great year for getting those manuscripts in tip-top shape. Ready to publish or ready to hit the market in search of an agent or publisher. We can do this. We are writers. That’s what we do, and that’s what makes us happiest.
To all my faithful readers out there, I will have more new novels and poetry chapbooks out there for your reading pleasure, and soon.
I will be drawing up a project matrix that I actually intend to follow this year. So you will be seeing the prequel to The Chronicles of Acqueria: Blood Moon Treachery”, the sequel to “The Seasons of Sam Rock”, the novel version of “The Castleweaver”, and several Haiku Chapbooks along with “Global Warning”.
I will also be republishing the long lost “Rainbows and Unicorns”, since I recently found the original poetry that went into it.
Busy, busy, busy, as I am sure you will all be also. So, here’s to a great 2020!  May our weather be moderate, our creativity at its peak, and our valiant efforts be rewarded.
This month, I’m featuring “The Aurora UFO Incident - A Novel”. It is available from Amazon at tinyurl.com/yb875xw4. I’ll be starting the #AudioBook process soon for release this summer. It is suitable for middle-grade and above, so the whole family can enjoy it.

My featured poetry for January is  “Life’s Lemons and Lemonade: A Collection of Haiku, Volume One: One For The Book” – available from Amazon at https://tinyurl.com/ycnu2kvt . It features comments from some of my Twitter friends (some of whom are no longer with us – may they rest in peace) It is one of my favorite collections.

Until next time, keep the faith. Keep writing and keep reading. Enjoy what makes you happy. There is far too little happiness in this world these days.
As always, I welcome your reactions and responses to any of my blogs. I love to hear from my readers. Also, here are links to my Twitter and Facebook accounts, if you care to share your thoughts with me there:
As all of my books are available on Amazon, I’m also including a link to my Amazon Author’s page. Feel free to visit me there also: