Keystone by Misty Provencher Blog Tour

Hi Nely,Thanks so much for having the Keystone Blog Tour splash all over your blog, Chica!  (It’s a gorgeous blog  btw, nice and homey!) 

I’ve long been inspired by your art and how you so elegantly present Creatura to the world.  You are amazingly talented and creative, my girl, and I’m so honored to have ‘met’ you out here in the blogosphere. 

So, ok, back to business- I’ve brought for you a deleted scene that I hope your readers won’t enjoy as much as the actual book- HA HA!  It took me a long time to get Keystone right and the following scene is one that bit it along the way.  I struggled with Chapter One like no one should and at one point, I thought that having Garrett opening the book might work.  It didn’t, so here you go ~ one of my many ‘mistakes and outtakes’ along the way to creating Keystone.  Hope you enjoy and that you’ll all visit around on the tour to hear more about Keystone and enter to win some of our fabulous prizes!  Thanks again for having me, Nely!

PROLOGUE~ Garrett

I want her.

I want her to open her eyes and see me first. 

I need her to think of the way I kissed her, instead of thinking about how I found her, screaming for my help as she held the empty shell of her mother.  I just stood there, while she begged me to heal her mother, as if I could catch Evangeline’s soul and tip it back into her body through the gun shot wound in her temple.  There was nothing I could do.  Not even make her let go. 

She is curled beneath my comforter now.  This is the third day that her eyes haven’t opened and I can’t blame her for that.  Once she’s here again, she’ll have to remember and make decisions.  I don’t know if, within that spectrum, she’ll remember enough of me to make the decision I’m so desperate for her to make.   

I need her to open her eyes.

I need her.

Around noon, Addo knocks on the door and lets himself in. 

“Nothing yet?”  He says, groaning as he settles down on the edge of the bed across from her.  I just shake my head.    The Addo’s black eye dominates the side of his face I can see, along with the new sunken spots in his cheek.  It reminds me of how severely the Contego have failed, that The Fury were able to get close enough to knock out teeth that used to hold his flesh back.  That our branch of the Ianua was the only one able to protect their Addo from death doesn’t lessen the shame.  The Contego did not protect the community.

He adjusts the cloth sling that immobilizes his arm with another groan and I notice the Cornerstone in his good hand.

“Why do you have that here?”  I ask.  He doesn’t answer and I can’t take my eyes off the stone.  He can’t be meaning to do what I am thinking.  Can’t.  I test it by saying,  “Do you want me to put it away someplace?”

“No.”

I give him a minute to give me an alternative or an explanation.  He doesn’t.  I try to keep the accusation out of my voice as I say, “You’re not planning on her going through with the Impressioning as soon as she wakes up, are you?” 

“Certainly.  If that’s what she chooses.” 

“No way.”  I tell him, pushing my shoulder away from the wall.  The fear is rising up in me, like a lonely stretch of a road without her.  “That’s like not giving her any choice at all.  You can’t expect her to want anything to do with the community after everything that’s happened.  She doesn’t even know all of it...”

“That’s why I came to speak with her if she was awake.”

“You’re not planning on telling her everything right away, are you?”  My anger is scaling up my throat but the Addo just nods his head.  He won’t give in.  He is the head of our community - the only leader we have left now- and while I expect him to know what is best when it comes to the Ianua, it annoys me that he thinks he knows what is best when it comes to her.  I tell him, “If you don’t give her time to recover, you’re setting her up to choose a Simple Life!  Why would she pick anything else?   She just lost her mom and the war has started.  Yeah, it sounds like a great idea- join up and put your life on the line!  You need to give her time to recover so she can make a fair decision.  Not now.  She’s been through too much.”

“I’m aware.”  He says simply with a nod and a wince as he adjusts his newly casted arm inside his sling. He tries to cover the pain with a smile. “She’ll do what’s best for all involved, Garrett.  Even herself.  Try to have a little faith in your Addo, won’t you?”

I sink back against the wall.  Faith.

I could lose her.

 

I look away from his wounds, ashamed, because it’s not the only way I’ve failed him.  Addo hasn’t asked me to heal him and I am guilty for not offering.  I have not had the ability to focus and project any healing energy since my father died.  Although the Addo seems to understand it, my inability to help where it is necessary, once again, only amplifies the guilt. 

Addo begins to hum what sounds like the beginning of a reassuring lullaby, mmm hmm, over and over again as he sits on the bed that my brother and I have been sharing.  It is the one across from where Nalena sleeps.  He doesn’t take his eyes off her as he hums, mmm hmm, mmm hmm as if she’s told him she doesn’t want to wake up and he’s assuring her she must and it will be safe.

She has been sleeping for two days since her mother died.  That’s not accurate.  Since her mother was murdered by her father.  The detail starts me thinking in circles again, reviewing the Fury’s attack on our community and I always come back to how I should have been there with Nalena.  I should never have left her and Evangeline unprotected, I should have been there to stop Roger, I should have known something like that could happen.  When I think on it too long, I start thinking of how I should have pursued the man my father did- the one who led my father into the ambush that killed him.  The Fury always operate in groups.  I should have known to warn him.  I should have been there to help.  I should have been able to do something. 

“Stop.”  Nok says from the doorway.  He is less than half of the doorway in height, thin but proportionate, his skin the color of wild rice and his eyes are wide and flat, Asian.  But he is not Asian, not a dwarf.  He is one of the Veritas, the listeners, and it is not just a little annoying that he is undoubtedly hearing every weak word drifting through my head right now. 

“I apologize.”  I say.  He is right.  Warriors don’t think like this.  There is no room for weakness.  It’s a disgrace.  That’s what got us here to begin with.  I will never be useful thinking like this.  My father would be ashamed of me.  Nok frowns and shakes his head.

“Stop.”  He says again and then disappears from the door. 

I tip my head at the now-empty space, confused, when I hear her stir.  With her eyes still closed, I watch her chest rise with a deep inhale and then she sighs...a peaceful sound, as if life is simple and good.  Then, in the split second before she opens her eyes, her eyebrows plummet into the grief she’s left behind.  

CORNERSTONE is the story of Nalena Maxwell, 

a girl who recieves the wrong dang sign of an ancient 

community that is responsible for maintaining the intellectual 

evolution of the human race.  And if the choices coming aren't

tough enough, there's a boy...one with liquid blue eyes...that 

understands exactly who and what Nalena is.

Cornerstone & Keystone, the second book in the Cornerstone Series, are now Available in paperback and ebook at:  

Barnes & Noble     Amazon    Smashwords

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A Day in the Life of Cameo Renae (+ Intl. Giveaway!)

Hello and welcome to "A Day in the Life of..."©, a featured guest post exclusive to my blog that's published on Mondays and sometimes, on Thursdays. On these two days, a spotlight guest will share a normal day in their lives, giving us insight on their thoughts, projects, interests, obsessions and more. Occasionally, and if we're lucky, they'll even throw in a giveaway.

And now on with the show...

                                                                          

About Cameo Renae

I love reading great books that whisk me away from reality, even if for a little while. :)

I love a great love story, anything paranormal, supernatural, magical, things with vampires, angels, mysteries, thrilling, suspenseful, and fantasy (yes...unicorns, elves, and dragons :))

I recently released my debut novel, In My Dreams, and am thrilled at how well it is doing! Writing is an escape, and I enjoy every minute of it. I hope you'll join me in one of my adventures!

We'll see what the future holds. Until then... :) HAPPY READING!

Connect with Cameo Renae

Facebook    Twitter    Website    Blog

 *When Nely Cab asked me to do a post on her blog I was THRILLED!!! But then I noticed it was a Day in the Life of _ME_! OMG… My life = Not so thrilling… But, it does have its moments. Here we go!

Somewhere around 9:00 AM:

Rise and shine!!!

Yep, my kids are grown (18 and 20), so I get to sleep in. We started a family early. I know MANY of you are wondering how old I am… I just turned 40. HEY – I’m still younger than J-Lo, and I can move like Jagger! Okay… maybe not like Jagger.

Once my eyes open and my brain kicks-in… that’s it. The first thing I do is reach for my iPhone and quickly check my notifications on FB, and then my email.

30 minutes of my waking moments - Gone.

I push out of the comfort of my warm blankets, and battle the Alaskan cold. It’s like I’m in an icebox, even in the summer mornings…and even with sweatpants and socks on. Brrrrr! 

9:30-ish

Teeth chattering, I stumble for the kitchen and coffee pot. I fill it up, add the grinds, click it on, AND…wait. Tick, tick, tick… It never brews fast enough. A thought quickly passes through my mind… What are we going to do today?

Coffee is done, and I pop out of my zone. I fill my cup with the steamy, very-potent, black coffee, and then pour in the wonderful, flavored creamer which turns it into a sweet, magical potion.

My morning crew:

10-ish

Brain is starting to show signs of life. I’m beginning to feel some type of normalcy, and movement in my limbs. I quickly pour a second cup of brew.

Then, it’s cleaning time. Make the bed (once the hubby is out of it), laundry, vacuuming…and whatever else needs to be done.

Somewhere within this time, our son brings his baby in. Yes, we have an 11 month old grandson, who is the cutest little munchkin, injected with super-energy.

I think to myself…I need whatever he has.

I pour myself a third cup of coffee, and its playtime! He’s very bossy, but adorable!

11-ish

If the kids are working we run our errands. Bank, store, gas station.

If the kids have a day off, we all vote on a road trip. (Let’s assume they have a day off.)

Choices are Walmart or Hatcher’s Pass? It’s unanimous… Hatcher’s Pass is a “GO!” That is…after we pick up some essentials at Walmart first. haha

Immediately the two teenage girls (my daughter and son’s girlfriend) commandeer the bathroom. Flat iron and make-up are strewn all over the bathroom counter.

I check FB and attempt to get some writing done. Usually not gonna happen.

My desk:

Sorry it looks so dark. The lighting is pretty bad.

12:30 pm

Girls are still getting ready. I ask... “WHY the heck are you guys putting on make-up and getting all dressed up when we’re going to the mountain???”

Snarky remark from the daughter, “Because we have to take pictures! Hello?!”

OMG… :/

1:30 pm

Everyone is ready. Car is loaded and we begin our journey. 

2:30 pm

We make it to Hatcher’s Pass. The drive is breathtaking. My hubby has to pull on the side of the road, many times, for awesome photo shots. I love to take nature shots, while the girls take shots of themselves, in different poses, with a bit of nature in the background. They quickly post photos to Instagram before we lose service.  

The views at the top are AMAZING!!! We walk around, maybe pick some blueberries, hike a trail, see a beaver and its awesome beaver dam, and hopefully won’t run into a bear.

Photos I took of HATCHER’S PASS:

(FYI: Hatcher’s Pass is one of the locations in my novel, In My Dreams.)

6:00 pm

HOME! Dinner has either been bought or prepared, and we usually gather to watch a movie.

10:30pm

Everyone is settled in their rooms. My hubby puts on a movie for himself, and I grab my mini-laptop. I settle into my bed, and fluff the pillows behind my back until I’m comfortable. Then, I plug in my lime-green earphones, sign into Spotify, and listen to some music while I quickly check FB to see if anything exciting happened.

My night crew:

(Mini-laptop, Headphones, Kindle & Caffeine)

One of my favorite songs by one of my favorite groups…Maroon 5 – One More Night.

(FYI: I don’t really care for the video.)

11:30 pm

I realize I’ve wasted an hour’s worth of writing, while messing around on FB. Grrrrrrrrrrr Happens every night. I turn on my writing music… which is music with no words, and pull up my WIP.

I can’t write with music which has someone singing, because I end up singing along, in my head, and can’t write. I need background music. Musical scores. They work great for me.

1:30 am

Eyes are getting droopy, so I decide to shut down the computer and grab my Kindle.

2:30 – 3:30am

I realize I’ve dozed off a few times. I turn off my Kindle and my world fades to black, hoping for sweet dreams and more adventures in the morning...    

And there you have it! Thank you, Nely for letting me visit your amazing blog!!!

*bow and exit stage left*

 Thank you, Cameo, for sharing your day with us and thank you, readers for taking the time to stop by. I hope that you've enjoyed today's 

"A Day in the Life of..."

⬇

In My Dreams

INTERNATIONAL

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A Day in the Life of Todd Crawford

Hello and welcome to "A Day in the Life of..."©, a featured guest post exclusive to my blog that's published on Mondays and sometimes, on Thursdays. On these two days, a spotlight guest will share a normal day in their lives, giving us insight on their thoughts, projects, interests, obsessions and more. Occasionally, and if we're lucky, they'll even throw in a giveaway.

And now on with the show...

About Todd Crawford 

Todd Crawford (1994) was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, where he wrote his first three books, a Clockwork in the Stars, The Final Gospels, and his anthology The Black Season. His writing style is recognized as descriptive, cynically honest yet whimsical. His works obsess over the geography of the human mind, existentialism juxtaposed with the politically religious, and nature hearkening back to the Romantic era of literature. He first published a Clockwork in the Stars through Lulu publishing, but released his latter works under the CreateSpace banner before reissuing Clockwork with his new label. Although his only currently released works have been of the literary outlet, he has indulged in other orientations of Art such as music (having composed a companion piece for his novel, The Final Gospels), film (having adapted his novella, Brighter, into a short film), and comic books. Crawford is currently working on his third (traditionally structured) novel, The Pilgrimage, an abstract commentary of politics as he is browsing agents to market the release.

Connect with Todd Crawford

Facebook    Amazon      Goodreads

A Day in the Life of Todd Crawford: 

Todd Crawford Could Really Use A Time Machine Right Now

I wake up hung-over around Noon every day. I've never touched a drug or alcohol in my life, although I would never consider myself what some would call "straight-edge," yet I still can't shake the feeling that I woke up in a bed leapt into as a last resort in order to prevent any damage I may have otherwise caused in my latest of waking hours. I immediately grab whatever clothes are nearest as well as a bath towel before heading to the shower to wash away all lingering memories of the night. I actually enjoy my natural scent, but I find the thought of waking up in my own oils and greases rather unsettling, especially as a long-haired male who can feel the dampness of my roots pressing against the back of my skull.

After my shower (sorry to disappoint, but that's even more private business than I am willing to give out!) I typically begin my day by logging in to Facebook or spreading the pages of a comic book. I have always been fascinated and somewhat obsessive about comics, but I haven't felt this strongly about the craft since I was 12 years old. I like to consider it studying for a few potential comic series that I aim to get off the ground, but to be totally honest, I'm more likely just obsessed. The sad part is that I can feel a deeper connection to this than I feel with most of my fellow humans in this town, but more on that later! Being that I don't speak with many of my former classmates since Graduation (we'll get there, no worries now) or many people at all as of late my comrades on the Internet are some of the best social interactions that I get in a day. I'm perfectly okay with that, though, because I know that they do not want to take anything from me and vice-versa. They're probably healthier relationships than most I've had in high school, to be fair. 

Around 3 o’clock, I go downstairs and wait for my father to get home from work. I'm not the best at social interactions all of the time, but I always try to make sure to be around for when my father gets off work and we have our ritualistic family dinner. It's the one sanctity of our household, it often feels like, and one that I don't intend on breaking if I can help it. (Confession: I missed dinner today for a pizza party and four movies at a friend's house.) I usually don't get discuss my family with others because I often come off as bragging. I have this odd situation where I actually enjoy their company. Speaking of friends, I've been spending a lot of time with Randi Armour lately, a girl who has recently moved to my hometown, Greenville. This usually lasts until around 2:30 so that I can be home in time for dinner, or from 4 (or whenever she gets off work) through Midnight. (I used to stay over much later, but my family set a curfew and as shut in as I feel inside during the latest hours of the night, I would like to respect their wishes.) We'll watch movies, go to SHTZ, or go on walks, really casual-yet-entertaining things.

I go on a lot of walks, by the way, as in, at least two hours' worth of walking a day. I've heard it repeated many times on the tele that one solid hour of walking a day will help you lose weight, so I figured that if I walked two hours a day then I could be healthy and still have the liberty to eat as I please without consequence! Of course I have since learned otherwise, but the thought is pleasant, nonetheless. It's upon these walks that I really get to understand myself better. There is a quote by Friedrich Nietzsche that claims "All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking," and I find that statement very amiable. I used to hide myself between the trees of what little woodland remains in Greenville, PA, but the past six months or so I've found Main Street very interesting to walk down. The street itself is lined with bars and coffeeshops, and knowing that these establishments are not only open, but quite well populated and I am not inside of - or welcome inside of - either is truly isolating. I have always tried to avoid falling prey to unnecessary clichés, at least without putting my own twist on them, but one truly recalls the classic Vampyre mytho that the bloodsuckers cannot enter a building until they are invited by the home's rightful owner. Another reason I feel so repelled by the Main Street is because I was once welcome within these places, and I once conversed with their people. It all brings back a flood of memories, both good and bad. I walked the streets with a very close friend who I will never see or speak to again, and stopped to sit along benches and watch the river flow underneath the bridge. There are even more memories at the Riverside Park that I often frequent, as well. I used to trace circuits around the park with this same friend, talking or swinging (it sounds juvenile, but my concept of absolute happiness are two men in business suits dropping their suitcases and blasting off on a swingset together), but often both, until well beyond nightfall. If my memory does not fail me (and it very well may be, as I have long ago surrendered any sense of reality that belonged to my past for fiction, or "New Truths" as I like to call them) I had my second first kiss there. (Score!! ... *ahem, if you will, that is.) The park in general is a very magickal place to be, yet it is also very haunting. I feel unwelcome in this town, as if my time here has been spent, my quota of memories well past brimming and my eviction notice is long overdue. I think that in many ways, it is. The people of this town do not want me, nor do I want to live my life in such an area.

I've been really into comic books lately, as you may have heard. When I originally got 

started on them (with Sonic the Hedgehog, The World's Most Way Past Cool Comic! by Archie), I was very prejudiced and biased towards the superhero genre. It all seemed the same to me, yet just recently I have found a very deep connection to these modern mythologies. The superhero (be it Spider-Man, Batman or Iron Man, pick your choice) does not always want to go about the task at hand, and oftentimes there is a great deal of inner-turmoil within the character that the readership is shown thanks to editor's notes and thought bubbles. Recently, I have found that my relationship with my Art is not very different from those characters' to their life works. I feel that I owe it to the world to be the greatest possible Artist that I can be, and just as important as that, I owe it to myself. When I walk around Greenville I often wonder why I bother to keep up with myself, or why I haven't given up when everybody else so clearly wishes for me to, (How easy would it be for my detractors to write me off as a lunatic if I blew my brains out, per-se? "Oh, that Todd Crawford? He didn't have a clue and he was well off the deep end! Best thing he did with his life was end it," rather than seriously considering the messages I have to deliver and accepting that, hey, I may even have a point or two to make about society.) yet just as integral to Bruce Wayne as Batman is, or Spider-Man to Peter Parker, I believe that there is a similar relationship that I hold with my Art. "With great power comes great responsibility," as Uncle Ben would have it. 

To end my night, I usually head home and check all of my online profiles before retiring into bed. You may be asking yourself right about now "Wait! What about that whole writing thing!? What point is there in reading these posts if you offer no insight into your Artistic methods!?" Well, typically my Artistic process goes quite a bit like this. I spend months, sometimes close to a year this way, letting my ideas "gestate," as I like to think of it, before finally releasing them upon the paper (and you can be sure that when that time finally comes, I'm fit to burst). Just to humour you, the reader, myself, and Nely, for ever-so kindly inviting me to her fancy little page (I type that endearingly, without a hint of condescension!), let's say that this is a night where I take it upon myself to fit a little writing in before bed. I typically listen to inspirational music (whatever fits my current mood) and let the ideas possess me. I literally want them to take ownership over my mind and body, because I have been waiting, studying, and listening for so long to understand how these characters and plotlines may work, and finally I can let them just run free. I'll hear full conversations in my head, witness scenes that I am about to paint in the readers' minds, and formulate ideas revolutionary to the plot outline. Around Midnight (or earlier if my ideas just can't wait and I'm drawn to the page) I begin writing, a process that can last anywhere between two to eight hours. I write feverishly, and typically I'll have hundreds of pages lain down in weeks to make up for my otherwise stagnant nature. I often realize a lot about myself during this period, and I go to bed wholly contented. I know my place in the world, and tonight I have fulfilled it.

☺ 

Thank you, Todd, for sharing your day with us and thank you, readers for taking the time to stop by. I hope that you've enjoyed today's 

"A Day in the Life of..."

A Day in the Life of A.G. Dow (+ Giveaway!)

Hello and welcome to "A Day in the Life of..."©, a featured guest post exclusive to my blog that's published on Mondays and sometimes, on Thursdays. On these two days, a spotlight guest will share a normal day in their lives, giving us insight on their thoughts, projects, interests, obsessions and more. Occasionally, and if we're lucky, they'll even throw in a giveaway.

And now on with the show...

ABOUT A.G. DOW

A.G. Dow is the author of In Dreams, a short story featured in the Wicked East Press Anthology, Wicked Bag of Fantasy Tales. Being a lover of books, she is more than happy to read and review them over on the Juniper Grove Blog, run by author Jaidis Shaw.  Dow is currently working on her first full-length novel, The Shadow Man, in hopes of releasing it by year end!

A.G. Dow currently resides in central N.H. with her super supportive husband and their beautiful, wonderfully creative young daughter.

Connect with A.G. Dow

Facebook     Twitter     Goodreads     Amazon  

                                   A Day in the Life: A.G. Dow

Being a stay-at-home mom with a calendar full of play-dates, family get-togethers and a mountain of errands to run, I don’t really have a structured schedule that I follow. But, I do try to follow a typical flow pattern, a way of getting through the day if you will…and that’s what I’ll be sharing with you all today!

9:30 AM- Time to rise and shine! I’ve been asleep all of two, three, maybe four hours, so I’m certainly not looking forward to getting myself up and out of my warm, cozy bed. The AC has been running on high all night and I’m beyond exhausted, making it even harder for me to resist sneaking in another hour’s worth of napping…But, I have no choice. When my four and a half year old daughter bounces out of bed, it’s then my turn to do the same! Though, for me it’s more of a rolling process.

10:30 AM- Breakfast! Yes, it actually takes us about an hour to wake up and settle into our routine. My daughter has been running at full speed since the moment her eyes opened this morning, but I have yet to de-zombify myself which only means one thing…Time for that pot of coffee! While that’s brewing, the food is served and the music has been turned on! We like to start off with some singing and dancing; it’s fun and helps set the mood for the rest of our day.

10:45AM- My daughter has taken a break and is busy munching away, trying to get through her breakfast quickly so she can go back to performing. I now have a big mug of pure happiness in hand and sit down at the computer to check in with my emails and various social sites. It takes a surprising amount of time to look through and reply back to my messages and notifications but apparently not enough, because now it’s time for some Pinterest. Such an awful site, stealing away my precious time by sucking me in with all of its magical DIY and crafting wonders, but there’s still a cup of coffee left in that pot so I may as well spend a few more minutes pinning while I finish up!

11:30AM- By now I’m doing the housewife thing, cleaning up and getting things in order. Well, kind of. I start off doing that and always have the best intentions of finishing right away, but then get distracted by one thing or another and end up with a bunch of half-done projects going on throughout the house. I suppose it doesn’t help much that as I’m going along cleaning my daughter is doing her best to destroy all evidence of me doing any such thing. I’m starting to think she’s out to get me and she just may, she’s that good. So, with some cleaning done and a little more left to do, it’s now time to get us dressed and ready to leave!

1:30PM- We’re finally ready to get out of the house! Time for a visit with friends or family, something we do very often. I love staying connected and seeing those I care about, so 80% of the time my daughter and I are busy being social butterflies. I realize this seems awful, us out and about having fun while my husband is stuck at work six days a week, but really our social time is needed and beneficial to all of us. My daughter is very outgoing and enjoys interacting with her little buddies and partaking in whatever adventure we have planned for ourselves that day. And me, well if I’m stuck here in this house for too long I go stir crazy and end up being one unhappy camper…and no one wants to deal with that.

4:30PM- It’s been a few hours so by now I’ll try to pack up and say our good-byes, then head off with my mini-me to do some grocery shopping and most likely make a trip to Michael’s or the Dollar Tree so we can pick up a few crafting supplies. I have a hard enough time staying away from those stores but when she’s with me, it’s even harder. So why fight it? Again, being creative keeps us girls happy which then keeps the hubby happy. It’s a win/win for everyone!

5:30PM- And we’re back! Grocery shopping always takes far longer than I’d like it to but we got what we needed and we’re done with for the day! Of course, just like every other time that I run errands I come home only to realize that I had forgotten a few things that were on my list and will have to go back tomorrow. Oh joy. Now it’s time to finish cleaning up, or at least get things out of the way so my husband can walk through the door without stepping on any of my daughter’s fabulous toys…You know, all 967 of them, sprawled across every floor and doorway in this place.

6:05- The hubby is home! I’m pretty sure this is my daughter’s favorite part of the day and I’m guessing my husband’s too! It’s time to relax and hang out as a family, catch up on how each other’s day went and settle down with some grub that someone else has most likely prepared. I can cook and I used to all the time, but we hardly ever eat the same things so it has become easier to order out on most nights. I know, I’m ashamed…I’ll start cooking homemade meals again real soon, swear. After we fill ourselves up, my husband crashes on the couch for a bit, resting up after a very long day and I head over to the computer to check Facebook and such, yet again. There are messages to respond to, people to chat with, and mindless things to waste time looking at…that sort of thing. My daughter is in her playroom keeping busy, giving me plenty of false hope that I might actually be able to get some work done. There are books I need to finish reading and a review that’s waiting to be completed, oh and my writing. I could always open that up and add a page or two. I could, but I won’t be. She’s excellent at picking up the scent of productivity and will come running out of her room, making as much noise as possible until I stop what I’m doing and turn myself over to her. I should know better, happens every time.

8:00PM- Us girls have been passing the time with a couple buckets of crayons and a large stack of coloring books. It has taken me almost an hour to complete just one of my pictures while she has gone through the entire book, making sure to rip out every page and hang them all on the fridge.  Now that she’s run out of room for her multitude of masterpieces, it’s time to move on to something else. Writing! Not my writing, but hers and I’m more than ok with that. She’s all about learning and right now her big thing is learning to write, to spell out words and put them together in cute little sentences. She may not be able to read, aside from the few words she has memorized, but she really is doing a great job with her writing. When she’s done and if it’s early enough, we’ll try to get in another project before bedtime. If not, I’ll set her up with a movie or show to watch, usually something on Sprout (I love that channel for little ones!) and try to get her to wind down for the night.

10:00PM- My husband has been up long enough and is ready to get to bed! Next up, our daughter! Now that is guaranteed to be easier said than done because just like me, she will try anything to keep from going to sleep! An hour later, after many, many trips to the bathroom and all kinds blanket issues, she has finally drifted off to dreamland. Yes!! I can now stay up as late *yawn* as I need to in order to get things done.

12:00AM- At last, it’s “ME” time! The house is a tad too quiet for my liking so I usually put on the TV for some background noise. If I’m looking to veg then I’ll put on one of my shows and zone out while dubbing around online. Sometimes I’m in the mood to craft, so I’ll do that while the rest of the house sleeps and I’m free to do my thing. But mostly it means that I now have time to sit down and write!  I’ll turn on Soundscapes, a channel of pretty cool, very “new-age-y” music that helps to keep my mind focused and the ideas flowing. I know I’m supposed to be writing, and I am, but I do end up checking in on Facebook every so often to chat with a close author friend of mine who also happens to be a fellow night owl. Most will see that as a distraction but really it’s not. Helps to break things up a bit and super helpful when I need to bounce a few ideas around, to see what will and won’t work in my storyline.

And that’s pretty much how I spend my nights. I try to write whenever I can and on the nights when my head and heart just aren’t into it, I pick up one of the three books I’m currently reading and dive in! The hours pass by quickly and before I know it my husband is awake and getting ready for another crazy day at work.  I lost count of how many times I have told myself I would get to bed earlier, and yet here am again well after 5:00am and still wide awake! May as well stay up a little later and finish what I’m doing…I can always start on that new, normal schedule I’ve been hearing about, tomorrow.

Thank you, A.G., for sharing your day with us and thank you, readers for taking the time to stop by. I hope that you've enjoyed today's 

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