It has been a minute, hasn’t it?

I had a goal of posting here, at least once per week. If you’re a regular hereabouts, you’ll have noticed that didn’t quite happen. Mea Culpa.

But Tess, you ask, what have you been doing when not writing on your blog?

(You guys come up with the best questions at the best times.)

Well, lots of stuff.

I’ve been writing a new short story project. I hope to have it complete and into revisions by this weekend. What is it?

(Look at you with the questions 😉 )

This new project – I’m about 4,000 words into it at present – is a story to introduce readers to some of the characters in my novel, and give a peek into some of the back story.

But, when and where will it be available?

(I knew I could count on you to be on top of this. )

The story – working title: Day One – will be available, for free, as a gift for signing up to my e-mail newsletter.

And. No. Where. Else.

(Ok, that’s kind of dire-sounding as incentives go, but it’s been a long couple of weeks.)

The newsletter will probably be fairly active, on the run-up to release week. After that, once a month, if I’m lucky. Probably once per quarter, unless there is pressing news, and really, who puts pressing news in a newsletter?

So, there are those things I’ve been doing.

I’ve also arranged to be on a podcast. The episode won’t air until April, but I’ll be keeping you informed as that gets closer to being a thing in the real world.

I’ve registered the copyright and formatted the e-book version.

Besides the story, I’m working on the format for the paperback version. Yes, those of you new to self-publishing – those are fairly different animals.

I’m getting ready to reach out to potential reviewers. I’m also still looking for potential reviewers, so, if you know of any options, slide into the comments below and help a writer out.

I’ve also been getting tattooed. A big tattoo. I did my second session yesterday. So far, up to about 8 hours worth of sitting and getting repeatedly jabbed by electrically driven needles. Follow me on Instagram to get a look at those photos. Or my Oreo reviews, or the books I’m reading – which I’ve been slacking off on lately, mainly because I’m deep into some e-books and my kindle isn’t very photogenic. Also, I’m new to the Instagram thing. Haven’t quite figured out where it fits in my life yet.

What else?

Well, Valentine’s is coming up – *checks notes* – TOMORROW! And I have a sweetheart, so, you know, things…

Also, I still have a day job, family, friends, the occasional TV series to catch up on.

It’s times like these when I think the best thing I learned in college was time management.

(And how to write a term paper, the night before on no sleep. What? It’ll come in handy one day, I’m certain of it. Else, why would college be so expensive?)

Anyway, that’s my rambling weirdness to date.

For those of you who read along for blistering political/ social commentary, Fear Not! I have several ideas waiting in the wings, but you know, time and stuff.

For those of you that come here to see me foam at the mouth in a digital format, well, stay tuned. Pretty sure there will be plenty of that in the future.

Thanks for coming on this weird journey with me.

We’ll talk again soon.

(Hint. Hint. There may be new book announcements coming in the not distant future.)

Until next time…