Sending a Smile

Wishing y'all a very happy holiday season, a Happy Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! 

"Endlessly" Rocks!

Just read the first 80 pages of "Endlessly" on the Harper Teen website.  The full book release is next week (already pre-ordered on iBooks).   Author, Kiersten White has outdone herself yet again, with a fascinating set-up for the last book in her "Paranormalcy" trilogy.  Definitely a must-read for all pre-teen and teen (ok, MG and YA) sci-fi fantasy writers.   Visit KierstenWhite.com to get the latest details on her writing.

Here's me with the author when Kiersten was on book-tour for Paranormalcy in 2010.  I'm holding the iPad.

Following my new passion

I found a new passion--family history.  It took a few months to find my relatives up through my great-grandparents on all 4 sides.

In the process of this search, I discovered that I'm at least 15/16th Russian heritage, and I know almost nothing about the culture or why my family immigrated in the 1880s.  

Doing a little history research, I've found that it's quite possible that my family came to America to escape the pogroms that were happening in and around Russia at the time.  I do have a small quilt that was literally cut, possibly from wall brackets, so I know that at least one family left in a hurry.

I've also done a little cultural research.  OK, food recipes.  :-)  It's been yummy fun.

Research done, it's time once again to focus on my health and on my writing. 

Hopefully, some of what I've learned will translate into better writing.

Sci-fi Laptop for Sci-Fi writing

Loving my new HP laptop.  6Gig RAM, fingerprint scanner, and Beats Audio for ambiance.

The screen is wide enough to be able to work in two documents side-by-side. 

The keyboard is smooth and not too "clicky."  The touchpad has pinch-to-zoom capability.

And, if I really feel creative, there's an HD video camera built-in.

I've ripped some CD's for background music, copied in my book files, and even spent time going through all the updates (67 updates for Windows 7 and several reboots for HPupdates, as well).

I even did some family history research so that I wouldn't have anything to feel guilty about when working on my book.

Now, if I can just find someone to shop, cook, clean, and chauffeur, I'd have plenty of time to write.  ;-)

Feeling like I should start writing again

A friend asked me about my book over the weekend.  I had to explain that the book was on hiatus since last August.  I almost did that without apologizing.  Almost.

I've been thinking about writing again...  In the pondering stage.  Book ideas are starting to come to me again.  It feels good.  Not quite ready to type, yet, but soon. 

A break can be good.  Brings perspective. 

Now, I just have to decide if I'm writing a YA or an MG, and stick with it.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

... I don't think so!

The good:  my triglycerides are down (but still high).  I've lost 10 pounds.  My blood glucose is normal.  My blood pressure is nearly normal.  The bad: my HDL is way down.  The ugly: my LDL is still too high and my Dr just doubled my statin dosage.

OK, so it's only been 3 weeks.   I must be doing something wrong for my HDL to be way down.  Not sure what, but I've got to figure it out.   Adding more Niacin and flax for Omega 3's.  Maybe I'm of a people who needs to eat fats to stay healthy. 

I'm Russian by heritage.  Best as I can tell, I'm 100 percent Russian.  All 4 grandparents were 1st generation US babies, best as I can tell.  I need the 1930 AND 1940 AND 1950 census records to be sure.  Only a few more years to wait. 

What would a native Russian's diet consist of?   (not counting alcohol--not going there)
OK, a quick glance shows high fat/high carb foods, boiled veggies, salted veggies, potatoes, and grains.   The fat comes from meat, eggs, fish, and dairy... 

At least now I know why I don't crave salads.  :-)  It's not in my genetics. 

Anyway, I'm not waiting around and moping around.  (OK, I did mope a little bit).  I've been moving a lot this week.  Walked 1-1/2 miles on Tuesday and 2 miles on Thursday.  Moved a lot more on the other days, too.   I weigh less than I have for the past 2 years.  It's a good start.  I just need to maintain focus.  Focus.  Focus.

Author Poll: Windows v. MAC and what writing software do you use

Author quick poll.  Please post a comment and tell me:

1) Windows PC or MAC (or ?) (I was using an iPad for writing)
2) Which writing software do you use?  (Word, Pages, or ?)

Thanks for your input!