Happy New Year!

 

January 2023 Blog

2023: A Haiku

This I know: as this

Year passes, it will not leave

Me where it found me.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(1/1/23)

 

Whatever the year brings, it will involve change. I feel it in my bones. Of course, I’m not sure of better or worse, richer or poorer, or sickness or health – but it will end differently than where last year left me.

It’s become my New Year’s resolution. I will not have another year like the last two. I’ve started by writing this today and vowing to write every day this year.

I also highly resolve to get organized so that I’m on top of things and can avoid the surprises of an overdue bill I never opened in the first place or a reminder of an appointment I have today that I forgot to write down months ago.

Knowing that life will surely throw me curve balls during the year, I don’t need to add my own brush-back pitches to the mix.

I would wish and hope for world peace and health in 2023, but that may be reaching too far. I might even wish for sanity in politics and in people getting along with one another, but that’s way out there.

What I do wish for each one of us is peace and love in our own lives, including our loved ones. I wish for happiness and success in our endeavors, whatever they may be.

We surely deserve better than we’ve gotten and seen in the last two years. I won’t even list the problems and the disasters (natural and manmade) mostly because I don’t want to add to the longevity of their memory.

I know I can’t expect sunshine and clear skies every day to sit outside and blithely write to my heart’s content. I would just love to not spend my days putting out fires (if only just figuratively).

I’m sure we could all use a breather, and I wish us contentment as well – not complacency, but true contentment in our lives.

I would much rather relegate the daily horrors to my writing. I would much rather my friends be frightened by the pages of my books than the pages of the newspapers.

And, speaking of writing, I think I’ll wrap this up and edit it and post it. So I can get ready to go outside and write tomorrow and the next day and the next – and send Sam Rock on his way to the publishers.

I am so looking forward to this entire month of writing. The New Year has started. Again, it’s onward and upward.

Please, feel free to check out my eclectic selection of books on Amazon. The list will surely grow this year.

https://www.amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky

Until next month, read and write to your heart’s content, and remember we deserve to be much happier this year.

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 or look for my publication announcements. They will surely be forthcoming this year.

https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

It’s now January, the first month of 2023. Eleven more months to look forward to. Let’s make it a good twelve months.

 

 

 

Forward Hope!

 

December 2022 Blog

Preparations: A Haiku

Getting ready for

Another year, hopefully

Better than the last.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(11/30/22)

 

Actually looking forward to a year better than the last three years. Well, one can only hope.

Had a great NaNoWriMo month, so that helps in the hope department for next year. Writing always makes me feel better.

Okay, I haven’t done real well in the publishing department this year. I did much better writing and editing. That means publishing should be a breeze this next year. That’s one of my big hopes.

Also hoping for an end to pandemics and wars. But that may be too much to actually look forward to. Then there’s the outside hope for an end to gun violence and mass shootings. I realize that may be just beyond the reach of hope.

I plan on spending a lot of time this coming year all by myself in my own little worlds of my own design. I should be most happy there.

I may have to take some time off to have cataract surgery. I’ll find that out in January. I understand that is a relatively routine procedure now – not at all like I remember people having in the 80’s. It was not an easy thing then. But I’m still not looking forward to it. I’m not fond of anything that takes me away from my first love – writing.

And I’d better get to that writing. My characters are even starting to invade my dreams. And their worlds right now are more preferable to mine. Except maybe the Castleweaver, Eldreth, who appears more in nightmares than in pleasant dreams, but then that is his wont. Maybe he will win out. I could use the chance to get some horror off my mind. Eldreth is a great way to vent.

Detective Sam Rock is standing here with his arms folded. Okay, I’ve got to get his sequel out so I can write the third one in the series and explain how he got kicked off the force in the first place. He swears it was not his fault. I believe him.

So, I have a lot to look forward to. It’s onward and upward. Next month will bring the New Year. Hope we can all ring it in with cheers and happy bell ringing.

In the meantime, feel free to check out my eclectic selection of books on Amazon. There may be something there you have yet to enjoy.

https://www.amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky

Until next month, read and write to your heart’s content. It certainly makes my heart feel better.

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 (yes, I still Tweet) and Facebook accounts, if you care to share your thoughts with me there or look for my publication announcements. They will be forthcoming:

https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

It’s now December, the last month of the year. Thirty more days and 2022 is gone. See you next year.

 

 

 

 

 

NaNoWriMo Ho! Again

 

November 2022 Blog

NaNoWriMo Ho! A Haiku

“Don’t start nuthin’, won’t

Be nuthin’” has new meaning.

I better start now.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(11/1/21)

 

Now would be good. A lot has happened in the last year. Not a lot of it has been literary. But, I have this year’s NaNoWriMo to look forward to. And it’s gonna be swingin’.

When all else fails, I can count on “National Novel Writing Month” to get my fingers and my pens moving.

This year I won’t even think about my up-coming birthday except as the goal for finishing this year’s 50,000 words on the 28^th no matter what they may be.

Okay, I will think about my birthday and perhaps wonder how many more NaNoWriMo’s I’m going to be able to do. And I swear, I will do them until I can’t anymore.

Actually, it’s very comforting knowing I can look forward to this every year. I also look forward to being able to encourage younger writers just starting out on their literary ventures. And that’s a lot of writers, since most all of them are younger than I am. (lol)

I’m so not going to wax eloquently on the state of the world this month. I need to shut that out as much as I can. That’s a relief, too. For I would be angry at the world as bitter as it has become, if I let myself dwell on it. I would rather dwell on telling a story wrapped up in a world that does not exist – one that I have total control over.

Okay, smiling now!

I’m actually going to cut this blog short this month so I can jump into NaNoWriMo with both feet. I’ll fill the space with pictures of some of my covers for your enjoyment. I’m proud of every one of them.

Please wish me luck with this month’s endeavor. I’ll let you know next month how everything came out.

If you write, you’re welcome to come join me on a whirlwind of flowing thoughts and words.

If you care to check out some horrific stuff, feel free to check out my eclectic selection of books on Amazon. There may be something there to terrorize you.

https://www.amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky

Until next month, read and write to your heart’s content. For us NaNoWriMo’s that’s 50,000 words and counting.

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 or look for my publication announcements. They will be forthcoming:

https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

It’s now November. Only two months left in the year. Where did it go? I have no idea.

My NaNo RhiMo!

 

 

 

 

 

The Write Life!

 

September 2022 Blog

Be Prepared: A Haiku

Words not written can

Oft’ not be remembered, thus

I keep pen at hand.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(8/31/22)

 

I always try to keep pen and paper handy. Sometimes I fail and the words are lost. In my mind, those lost words were really brilliant, and their loss a loss for all of posterity.

Okay, maybe that last part is pretty far-fetched, but you get the idea. As most writers usually do, I get ideas at the oddest moments – not just when I’m sitting down to write. I try to be prepared at all times.

I have a steno pad turned to a clean page with a pen insered in the spiral witin arm’[s reach of the bed. I used to joy down my notes in the dark of night, but I’ve recently added a tiny flashlight so I can read wheat I’ve written the next morning. Otherwise, it’s jibberish.

I also keep a small spiral notebook the my pocket along with a pen. They really come in handy at those odd moments I’m out and about and an idea strikes. I’ve even gone so far as to jot down an inspiration while sitting on the commode.

When I drove a lot, I used to have a cassette recorder handy to record those fleeting moments of brilliance. Now I don’t drive much or far and cassette recorders are fairly passé.

But the idea stands: Think it, Write it, or lose it. It is also important for those of us who write poetry. One may think of the perfect phraseology for a piece of brilliant poetry, but it can slip away before the ink can strike the page.

Although the main idea may persist, the perfect way to put it may be lost.

It also helps to jot down story ideas, plot points and even a tidbit one of your characters may share with you in those odd moments you are mulling over your story in your head.

I once had one of my main female protagonists tell me she had a younger sister and her name was Petra. The novel tool a whole new turn and richness. Thank goodness I captured that thought (though having a sister is kind of hard to forget).

It’s taken a while, but I guess I’m falling in love with the art of writing all over again (after a long dry spell). I’, beginning to picture scenes and people to populate the worlds my mind dreams up once more. My mind is filling with scenarios involving those people and places – beautiful. Stunning scenarios and (because I’m a horror writer) glorious blood and gore and...

Okay, I’m on a roo. Time to gather my notes and start writing again.

First come the ideas, then the words, then the sentences, the paragraphs, the chapters, the novels, and the series.

Smiling now!

So the take away from this month’s ramblings should be this: keep something to write with and something to write on handy. You will thank yourself (and maybe me) when that gem comes to you, and you capture it. Then you can polish it and share it for posterity.

If you care to see what I am sharing with posterity, feel free to check out my eclectic selection of books on Amazon. There may be something to inspire you.

https://www.amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky

Until next month, read and write to your heart’s content and jot down those random thought. You never where they may land you.

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 or look for my publication announcements:

https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

You may also find some inspiration in my Haiku Collection Celebrating the #WritingCommunity: “Life’s Lemons and Lemonade: A Collection of Haiku, Volume Two: The Write Life”, available, of course, from Amazon at:

https://tinyurl.com/ycqtq3mt

It’s now September and the world is thoroughly heated up. The A/C is still working way too hard. A little more rain recently brought us some relief from the drought. Still a good time to check out: “Global Warning: Climate in Crisis” available from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KWQ6SHK/

 

 

 

Slip-Sliding Away!

 

July 2022 Blog

Slip-Sliding Away: A Haiku

Half a year is gone –

That time not much better than

The two years just past.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(7/1/22)

 

Must these precious, waning golden years lie but tarnished? To be covered by dust? I would hope not.

So much left to be done and so little time left to do it. Like Sisyphus, it seems, we roll that burden up that steep hill – only to have to duck it as it rolls backwards to crush us.

It also seems like only the right to kill with a gun will survive our current version of the Supreme Court.

A most certainly biased majority panel of supposed unbiased Supreme Court Justices is plunging us back into the dark ages, where women and people  with different perspectives on life were persecuted and punished even unto death for merely being women or having different perspectives on life.

I grew up in the 50’s with high hopes and eagerness. The path ahead (after World War II – the war to end all wars) was strewn with progress and the promise of a better, longer life for all – and peace upon this planet. That shining vision lasted into the 60’s and the “Dawning of the Age of Aquarius”, flower children and nothing but love, baby.

Somewhere along the way, a darkness crept into more and more souls, until it has become so pervasive as to cover the Earth with a pall of disease, inequity, unnecessary warfare and environmental abuses so grave they threaten the very existence of human life on this planet.

Forget that the birds are angry (as well they shold be at us for destroying their habitats), we have become an angry, vengeful species with few qualms about unleashing our anger to the point that it may consume us.

Forget what Nature may do to man, man is quite capable of destroying himself.

Forget about the separation of church and state, we have succumbed to an oligarchy of men who believe their “church” should rule – and the people should remain undereducated and unenlightened and thus under their thumb for as long as mankind shall live.

I am long past the age of taking up arms (which I wouldn’t do anyway) and battling these seemingly overwhelming odds at adds with clear-thinking, moderate, intelligent people may be best left to the young. I hope to pass the torch to a new generation of free-thinking, accepting, inclusive and mindful individuals who will once again give us high hopes and an eagerness with which to look forward to a full life and a future once again.

In the meantime, I’ll finish that Sam Rock sequel as soon as I find my notes and manuscript changes. They seem to have gotten misplaced in the shuffle of moving things from palce to place. Everything else is going according to plan so far. We’ll see.

Hopefully, my new books will be published soon and bring some respite from the facts of life these days.

Be sure to watch for upcoming announcements about the upcoming book launches. I’ll post the news between writing sessions.

In the meantime, if you need some relief from the news out there, feel free to check out my eclectic selection of books on Amazon. There may be something there you have yet to read.

https://www.amazon.com/author/annwilmerlasky

Until next time, read and write to your heart’s content. Enjoy what respite you can find in your lives.

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 or look for my publication announcements:

https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

It’s now July and Summer is heating up. The A/C is working hard. We have had a little rain to bring us some relief from the drought – of course, flooding came with it.

 

 

Indelible Impression!

 June 2022 Blog

Imprint: A Haiku

I would the shadow

Of my life be long and sharp –

Not lost in darkness.

by Ann Wilmer-Lasky

(5/1/22)

 

Thanks to the internet and Amazon, I will never perish from the earth – at least my published works will not.

Okay, maybe I’m not famous and unforgettable, but my words are put there on the ether – available for a click or two. Now, that brings a smile to my face. (let me enjoy that for a moment. Smiles are few and far between these days.)

Not much has changed in the world, just doom and gloom do not wear well over the long haul .Time to take a break and smile about something.

Being basically  a horror writer, I smile at some strange things. Notrhing makes me feel better  than murder and mayhem, as long as it is fictional. The reality these days s overwhelming.

Things are going along nicely in the Garret of AnnNoE. The manuscript for the Sam Rock sequel will be done this month and should be edited        and published in July.

Then comes the Acqueria prequel in August and September.

So I will be pretty busy the next four months, but I will not neglect my daily Haiku postings. It does me good to greet the day with a comeback on what’s been going on in the world over night.

I won’t be writing outside much this Summer if the world continues to heat up like it is. I’ll be writing in front of the air-conditioner, enjoying every minute of it. – until the electric bill comes.

Speaking of shockers, how about those gas prices? Don’t see them going down anytime soon, either. And those grocery receipts are getting shorter and way more expensive.

My puppies get baked boneless, skinless chicken breasts bits with their dog food. That’s doubled in price in just the last couple of months.

Also, there are still shortages on the shelves. Seems you have to have a running grocery list these days and grab stuff off the shelves as it appears. And it’s a long time between deliveries and restocking.

Hopefully, my new books will bring some respite from the facts of life these days. It sure takes my mind off things when I write. Unfortunately, life lies in wait, knowing I must surely get back to it.

Speaking of which, I’m about to run off and cook some rice to have with dinner tonight. Got a giant box of Minute Rice from Wal-Mart – ordered it on line and didn’t know it was so large. Guess I’ll be having a lot of things with rice in it for the near future.

Be sure to watch for upcoming announcements about the upcoming book launches. I’ll post the news between writing sessions.

In the meantime, if you need some relief from the news out there, feel free to check out my eclectic selection of books on Amazon. There may be something there you have yet to read.

Until next time, read and write to your heart’s content. Enjoy what respite you can find in your lives.

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 or look for my publication announcements:

https://twitter.com/awlasky

https://www.facebook.com/ann.wilmerlasky

It’s now June and Summer is coming fast and hard. I’ve already turned on the air-conditioners, and we are already suffering the effects of drought. Stay cool, if you can.