::Blows off dust::

 Yes, I know.  It's been a while.  

I'm not going to bore you with a lengthy explanation.  Suffice it to say that life happened and some things fell by the wayside. The blog was one of them.

As I contemplate this midyear point of 2026, one thing I know I need to do is get back in the habit of communicating with others. I intend to blog weekly.

My posts will vary. Some will be shorter than others. Some will cover my writing. Some will talk about my faith. Others will range over a vast variety of subjects, including weird things that pop up on my Facebook feed.

What do YOU want to see?  I welcome your comments.

Wish me luck.

Reflecting on 2025 so Far...

 I know, October's not even over yet, what am I doing looking back already?

Well, because I'm realizing that up until now, 2025 has been hard.

It's not that anything major happened this year.  No, there have been a lot of little things, though.  A lot. And they've added up and I sit here tired and wondering if we can end the year early.

I'm not saying it's all been bad.  We've gone on trips.  We've seen our grandkids, and there's nothing bad about that.  I have a new collection out (check out the Amazon link here).  My daily writing streak of at least 250 words/day  is still going strong.  Don's and my marriage is still strong after 42 years.

But we've been tested.  Oh, how we've been tested.

Why am I posting this? It's not because I want people to feel sorry for me.  (Though hugs are nice.)

In part, to process it somehow.  I know I don't have to post this if I don't want to.  It helps me to sit here and put it on my computer screen.  

And maybe someone else is going through a tough year.  I mean, let's be honest, there's enough going on right now that many of us might be struggling.

We need to be kind to each other.  Many of  us try to hide the difficulties we face.  Someone asks us how we're doing and we automatically respond, "Fine."  Because we don't want to be a bother.

I'm blessed that there are people in my life that allow me to be a bother.  That know what's going on and are on my team.  These special people help more than they'll ever realize.

And I can't leave this without saying that without my faith I don't know how I would get through all this.  God has helped me and kept things from going from bad to worse at times.  Knowing His love is unconditional and He's only a prayer away comforts me.

If you're struggling, I hope you have people to pick you up and help you move forward.  If you can, do your best to be that person for someone else.

And if you have no one to turn to, email me at laura@laurahware.com.  I'll do my best to help.

Rediscover Your Library

 I recently started using my local library again.  I'm not sure why I fell out of the habit, because libraries are generally awesome and a good source of books and other materials.

There are books I want to read but not necessarily own.  The library is ideal for those books.  It saves my wallet and my Kindle space.  

Plus, the due date encourages me to make time for reading.  As a write, I need to read.  As a bookworm, I need to read.  I have to remind myself that reading is not "goofing off," it's an important component to my career and my life.

One thing that helps is a web browser extension that will pop up when you look at books on Amazon or other vendors.  The extension will search your local library and see if the book for sale is available in your library.  I find this quite helpful when I'm checking out (see what I did there?) recommended reads.

The extension is free and works with Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.  You can get it here.  Let me know if you find it useful!

Greetings from South Carolina!

 July has been a crazy month so far, and I am happy to be at my oldest son's house, looking forward to a week of spoiling grandchildren..

Sometimes you need a break. 

Don and I have needed a break for a bit now.  Last week kept us hopping dealing with various issues that cropped up and a trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to attend a convention.  

Sometimes life hits you upside the head not once, but multiple times.  I dealt with it by doing my best to deal with what came at us and praying.  A lot of praying.

Things appear to be settling down and I pray for a bit of calm in our lives - or at least as much calm as can exist when there are a even-year-old and five-year-old in the house.

Hoping your month brings you some rest and recharging.

Talk to you soon,

Laura

A major milestone...

 On June the 2nd I hit 1,800 days of writing in a row.  That means I wrote something every day, whether my column or fiction.  I wrote when sick, when depressed, when life threw me major curves.

That's a lot of days.  It is also a lot of words - according to my calculations, I wrote 1,083,432 words in that time.  Yup.  Over a million.

That is a lot, but it breaks down to about 593 words a day.  That's slightly over two pages.  I can usually crank that out in a half hour or so.  And I'm not a fast typist.

Let's say you only wrote 250 words a day.  For me, that's about fifteen minutes, but let's say it takes you a half hour.  And you do it every day. 

In a week, you'll have written 1,750 words  In a year, 91,000 - the equivalent of a novel and maybe a short story or two.  If you went 1,800 days of writing 250 words a day, you'd write 450,000 - almost half a million.

I tell you this to encourage you that wherever you are in a writing journey, little things add up.  Don't give up - keep plugging away and you will see your efforts grow.  And never underestimate the power of a streak.

Finally, celebrate your wins.  I went to Culver's and got a cheeseburger and a turtle sundae to reward myself for 1,800 days.  Remember - little wins count.   Be proud of them and build on them.

Keep on keeping on!

A mixed up kind of day...

 Today is filled with mixed feelings for me.

On the one hand, it is my younger sister's birthday.  Anita is a fun person, and very talented and kind.  For example, she can tap dance, while I have two left feet.  

When I started my column years ago, I would always call her and read it to her before sending it to the newspaper.  She helped me make it better and I always looked forward to these times.

I am happy to celebrate her birthday and wish her well.

On the other hand, this is also a sad day - it marks the fourth anniversary of my father's death.

My dad's death was unexpected.  He apparently threw a blood clot from his leg to his lungs or heart.  As a result, he suffered significant brain damage.

I had been in Jacksonville a few days when he first went into the hospital and things were uncertain.  My stepmother discontinued life support two days after I returned home, and I couldn't get there in time.

Anita was kind enough to text me throughout the process and let me know what was happening.  I was on a video call with my daughter-in-law Amanda when Dad passed.  Amanda told my grandchild Lavinia, who was three at the time, "Grandma is sad.  Can you give her hugs and kisses?"

That sweet child rained hugs and kisses on that phone.

So, if you see me today, I might be smiling at some memory I share with Anita. Or I might be sad as I reflect on the loss of my father.

Either way, a hug isn't wrong.

How are you doing?

 For a lot of people, this year has taken a toll.  The United States appears more divided than ever, and every day the news gives us reasons to be concerned.

If you are an artist of some kind, it might be tempting to say, "what's the point?  How can I focus on my art when it feels like everything is falling apart?"

I feel you.  I do.  I must admit my productivity took a hit the first quarter of the year.  I still wrote very day, but the words weren't as numerous as I would have liked.

But I'm still trying to write.  I plan on getting to publishing and a Kickstarter and all kinds of other things.  Why?  Because we need our art right now.

I need to make art because it is for me in part a coping mechanism when times are difficult.  Sometimes, when I'm struggling with an issue, writing a story about it helps me to figure things out.  It is something I can control (to a certain extent, when the characters let me <g>) and a way I can answer darkness.

And I need to make art for others.  For those who want a few minutes to escape a frustrating reality.  Who want a reason to smile, if only for a brief moment.  People whose psyches need nourishment.

If you are an artist right now, whatever your craft, please keep at it.  Even if it's hard.  Even if you don't think it matters.  Because it does.

Let's be those havens for those who need them now more than ever.

A book signing!

 I will be joining other local writers in the area for the Spring Book Binge, hosted by Emeralddragun Studios on Saturday, March 29th, at the Avon Park Community and Cultural Center (310 West Main Street, Avon Park, Florida).  There will be books available for purchase and we'd be more than happy to sign your book for you.  Please come and support local artists!

Perspective

 If I were to ask you what you defined as success in your life/career, what would you say?

I was recently challenged to consider this as an assignment for an online workshop I'm taking.  What did I consider a successful writing career?

I named a few things, like making more money, getting more stuff out for people to buy, and doing more publishing-related things.  

When I was done with the list, I admit I felt discouraged.  

Understand that I consider May of 2005 the start of my fiction writing career (my column started June of 1998, about seven years prior).  That means I've been at this almost twenty years.

Somehow I thought I'd be farther along than I am now.  I do not make a great deal of money with my writing.  While I've published a number of novels and short stories, I could be doing more in that area.  

Granted, I was a caregiver to a greater or lesser extent for thirteen of those years.  We have often had young people stay with us while they try to get on their feet so they didn't have to live on the street.  I feel these things are important and do not regret my investment in them.  But it did affect the writing.

When I said this to a fellow writer, she reminded me that I helped people.  She also made me look and see that my writing has had positive effects on readers (Please, if an author's writing has had a positive impact on you, take a minute and let them know. You will make their day).  I had to admit that, yes, my writing had done so.  

My column continues after nearly twenty-seven years.  That means I'm doing something right.  People still read it and comment on it and I truly appreciate all the feedback I get, positive and negative.

And I haven't given up.  Some people would look at all that time and decide writing wasn't for them.  I've been at this long enough to know that when it comes to writing, the true failure isn't rejections or lack of sales - the true failure is to stop writing.  I'm not willing to do that.

So, if you look at your life and think you've failed, maybe you just need a different perspective.  Ask a friend about it.  It might be you've been more successful than you realize.

Trying to catch up...

 ...for some reason, this has been a tough month to get things done.  I'm struggling to make progress on the projects I mentioned in the last post.  

One project I want to remind you of is the HERitage Volume Two Kickstarter, which ends in twenty-one days.  We have almost funded and if you can support it I'd appreciate it.  Click here  to check it out.

Sorry this is short today.  I hope to have more to share in March.  Until then, stay well and warm.

Projects! Projects!

 I am currently working on THREE - yes, three - projects, not counting the possible novel I'm writing on.

There is a Kickstarter I'm planning to (hopefully) launch next month. "Oracle of My Enemy" is a romantasy (Romantic fantasy) about an elven woman destined by the gods to serve whom they choose and the human man they send her to.  Given there's great tension between elves and humans, bordering on war, this is not the most comfortable arrangement.

Once I have the cover finalized I will share.

Another project is (tentatively) titled "Walking the Walk." It will be a collection of short stories about people living the Christian life and the challenges they face.  Once again, when I have a cover I will share.

Last, but by no means least, is the second volume of HERitage, an anthology of alternative history fiction focused on women and how their lives and situations might have changed for the better if history had turned out differently.  In this volume I focus on Harriet Tubman, the brave woman who led slaves to freedom.  The change I focus on?  What if she had learned to read?  What doors would have opened for her?

You can check out the Kickstarter here.  Please, take a look and support it if you can.

Some observations...

 I'm taking a writing course that addresses the concept of writer's block. My latest assignment involved taking stock of what I've written and what is published/sold.

I discovered that I've written over 200 short stories since I started my path to fiction writing in 2005.  This doesn't include the number of Star Trek stories I wrote for the Strange New Worlds contest.  It also doesn't include the eleven short stories I've started and not finished.  43 or 44 of those short stories are for sale, either as stand-alones or in collections.

This doesn't include the none novellas (7,500+ words) I've written, one of which sold.

I have published six novels, with a seventh on the way.  I also have cowritten six novels in a fantasy series, with a seventh on the way.

That's a lot of words.  I need to update this site with everything for sale.

I need to do something with the stories and novels gathering virtual dust on my hard drive.  I have more than enough short fiction to create a number of collections.  

It is sort of exciting to see what I can do this year.  I didn't publish anything last year, something I do not wish to repeat.  So, stay tuned.  I hope to have great news coming soon.

Belated Happy New Year!

 Happy 2025!  I hope your year is filled with accomplishments and good things.

I wrote 712,515 words in 2024.  Not my best year, but certainly not my worst.

Now I am gearing up for 2025 and the things I hope to accomplish.  Not just in writing and publishing - I want to lose weight and drink more water as well.

One thing that will happen in 2025 is the second volume of HERitage.  The Kickstarter begins in February - click here to go to the preview page.

Have a great beginning of the year!

Happy New Year!

 I know, I haven't posted this month.  It has been a difficult month.  My husband wound up in the hospital with influenza and pneumonia, and gave me the flu as well.  We're both fine now, still trying to get back to normal.

Christmas found us on the road, meeting a need from afar.  We got to our stockings at 8:30-9 pm that night.  Hope your Christmas was less eventful and more fun.

I'm currently going over end of year stuff for my writing.  I will talk about that more in January.

Just wanted to say I hope whatever you celebrate was/is special.  And that you have a happy (and safe) New Year!

Oops...

 I have been having a few rough days due to the not-so-small issue of lacking one of my medications.

I was diagnosed with ADD/ADHD as an adult a number of years go (I'm a little uncertain if we found I had the hyperactive part of it, but I know I have the rest).  This meant going on some medication that is tightly controlled.

I ran out of this medication at the end of last week.  I didn't notice it until I went to set up my pillbox for the week.  It explained some things - lack of focus and wanting to sleep a lot.  But I had to get it filled.

My regular pharmacy is constantly out of the medication, so, armed with a paper script, I had Don take it to another pharmacy for me today.  The pharmacy called me after a bit, informing me that they were no longer accepting prescriptions from my particular doctor.  The reasons why weren't clearly expressed, and I plan to let my doctor know there's a problem.

So we tried yet another pharmacy.  This one has delayed the prescription due to - wait for it - insurance issues.  They will get a call tomorrow asking what is going on.

In the meantime, I'm having to function and get things done.  When you've been on a medication as long as I have, you grow dependent on it. It's hard for me to get things done right now.  This includes writing stuff.

I'm thankful for my 1500+ day writing streak.  That will get me to the computer and get words made tonight.  They may not be many, but they will happen.

So if I strike you as flakier than usual recently, just put it down to lack of medication.  But I'm sure I'll be fine - oo, look!  Squirrel!

Blast from the past

 

The above picture is of my granddaughter Lavinia and her sweet mama from six (!) years ago.  Lavinia is dressed as a squirrel, her daddy's favorite animal.

Where did the time go?  That cute little squirrel is now six and in first grade.  She continues to be adorable and I love her and her brother so much.

I don't know what Lavinia and Matthias dressed as this year.  I look forward to seeing pictures.

The year is speeding to a close.  It will soon be time to evaluate my goals for 2025.  I look forward to sharing them with you.

Hope your Halloween was fun.  And that there was someone cute in your life.

Greetings post-Milton

 I live in Central Florida.  We got a piece of Milton earlier this month.  The picture below is of the drainage ditch in front of our house during all the rain that he dumped on us:

Despite the wind and rain and all that water, we came through relatively unscathed.  We only lost power for 24 hours and aside from knocked over trash cans and a couple of pieces of roof shingle we suffered no damage.

I even wrote while the power was out, maintaining my streak.  I used my phone for a hotspot (I save my documents to a cloud) and wrote enough to keep my streak going, mindful of the fact the laptop was running on battery power.

I'm praying we have no more storms to deal with this year.  This one was plenty.

Hoping you stay safe as well.  And that nothing is preventing you pursuing your passions.

I am blessed...

 As a writer who still has much to learn and many more words to write, I am blessed by the people around me who not only pay lip service to this venture, but actively support it.

Ask a writer how important it is to have a positive support system, and you'll probably be told it can make or break a writer.  Without support on the home front, it can be difficult to start or maintain a career.  If you keep getting negative input from those you are closest to, getting to the keyboard can be that much harder.

I'm fortunate to have people like my husband Don, who will ask me before he goes to bed if I've written my words for the day yet and will urge me to get to my office if I haven't.  He reads what I place in front of him and doesn't imply I'm a failure because I'm still not making a whole lot of money yet.  When I am discouraged, he will remind me that this is a marathon and to do what I know to do.

He even invests in my workshops and conventions because they are part of the learning process and the business of writing.  He's my personal cheerleader and I'm grateful to have him in my life.

My friends want me to succeed and cheer me on to get going and write more stuff for them to read.  I appreciate them and their patience.

Hopefully you have an excellent support system as you go after your passion.  I hope there are people in your life cheering you on and encouraging you to pursue your dreams.  May that be as true for you as it is for me.

Today is National Read a Book Day

 It came to my attention that today is National Read a Book Day.  This is one of those days I can get behind.

Besides my daily Bible reading, a plan that allows me to read the entire Bible in a year, I am currently reading "The Whole Enchilada" by Diane Mott Davidson.  Truth to tell, it might be a reread - the book came out in 2013 and there's a chance it's hiding on my bookcase somewhere (I'm currently reading the Kindle version).

I love Davidson's books.  Her main character, Goldie Schulz, is a Colorado caterer who solves murders while whipping up delicious food.  Recipes are included and I've tried a couple of them.

I'm a little sad to note that her last book in the series came out in 2013.  A quick Google search reveals that she decided to step away from writing to pursue other interests.  

I hope she is healthy and happy.  I will enjoy this last book and may revisit the whole series.  The books are worth checking out if you like cozies.  A list of the books in order can be found here.

What are YOU reading currently?  Let me know!

I am officially traveled out...

 Okay.  I clocked three trips from the end of June to the beginning of August.  First, there was a journey to South Carolina to see my wonderful grandkids.  

A few weeks later, near the end of July, we attended Shore Leave in Pennsylvania.

Less than a week after I got back from Shore Leave I flew to Las Vegas for a four day Anthology Workshop.  Stayed in Vegas almost a week and staggered back home with a decent case of jet lag.

The Anthology Workshop was intense, informative, and fun.  While there I sold two short stories that will come out in anthologies next year.  I got great feedback on my writing and caught up with friends I hadn't seen in a while.

Now I am home and not wanting to get on a plane anytime soon.  I'll drive to Lakeland, Florida for a gaming event (about 1 1/2 hours away) but that's it.  Just call me a homebody.

Until November.  Then it's back to the grandkids.

Hopefully I'll be recovered by then.