Hello,

Thank you for the likes and follows.
If you couldn’t tell from the last update, I was in the doldrums. It took some time, but I was able to get the winds back into my sails. Full disclosure I have never been on a watercraft of any kind. However, the analogy is appropriate.
One of the methods I used to help myself was to read the several past updates. I apologize for the grammatic errors and for reneging from anything I promised on these updates about this blog. It was annoying to see but understandable. Once I write these entries, I schedule them to post. I try not to think to hard about them or they may never be posted. Another method was that I still wrote morning pages. The word total in that endeavor was over the 8000-word goal. I like to think the brain dump was needed. Wrote out the apprehension, and any other negative or positive feelings that was keeping me from being the writer I know.
I found out that a podcast I follow called Black Romance hosted by Julie Moody-Freeman has started its second season. There had been a month of episodes that I had to catch up on. In the podcast, Ms. Moody-Freeman, interviews black romance authors and other in the publishing industry. They give us a unique perspective of how they started in the romance genre and speak on how the publishing is a blessing and curse. The first season all the icons were interviewed, like Rochelle Alers, Sandra Kitt, Brenda Jackson, and Beverly Jenkins. These were the ladies I read, which inspired me to write romance not just general fiction. The second series has introduced me to authors that I am now interested in seeing their work. I had seen some of their book covers, made note, and planned to check them out but never got around to it.
A couple weeks ago, I wrote about the Virtuous Con, a virtual con for black creators. The panels and master classes are now being offered on their YouTube channel. I get to catch up with them and learn a few things as well.
On writing, I have not progressed on Star Crossed the way I would like to. I feel it has something to do with development. I am re-reading my character notes and improving on the scene outline. I am also looking into writing a short story. It isn’t anything to talk about yet but soon.
On reading, I am listening to Beverly Jenkins historical romance Forbidden. I am looking into reading the comic series called Batman: The Long Halloween, written by Jeph Loeb, art by Tim Sale. This mini-series was adapted to a two-part animated movie. I am reading Superman: Birthright written by Mark Waid and drawn by Leinil Francis Yu. And last the Solar Punk anthology edited by Gerson Lodi-Ribeiro and translated by Fabio Fernandes. There are other books, but I know I will not get to them this week, they are just on the list.
As usual the writing week’s goal is 8000 words. Congratulations to everyone who participated in Camp NaNoWriMo. I hope we can catch the opportunities that are available. Let us all try to be kind to each even when it seems impossible.
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