Quarterly Goals

 Well, I'm guess I'm glad I looked at the calendar. It's a 5th Friday! So, let me look back at whatever my goals were in May and see what I accomplished *nervous whimper*

So, in May, I was getting back into the groove of writing, and now I'm really, really back into the groove, to the point that I am finally once again at the end of part one, which is where I ended up stopping and restarting during the first pass. I'm actually able to pull scenes from the first pass and revise to match the new words I wrote in the meantime. It's going to fit well. I'm excited again.

Audiobook recording did NOT happen. I actually plan to do the brunt of it tomorrow. I'm contemplating doing all of Jonnie's chapters first and then the supporting characters to protect my voice, but also, if I have them talking in the chapters anyway, how much will that matter? Meh. I'll know by the time I wake up tomorrow. I wanted to stream recording, so I can get some eyeballs on the book, but we'll see. No one pays attention to me when I stream lol.

My reading goal, I am behind a couple of books. I'm disappointed in the book I'm currently reading, because it's the third in a series. I'll probably discuss it when I'm done, but not too much. Once I get past the book, there are a few I know I can read through easily (Mo Dao Zu Shi Book #3, eeee), so I think I can catch up.

The Ace Aro Raid Train went very well! It was so fun to connect to other ace gamers. I'm still in the Discord, but I have so many already that I don't talk lol. I also started a Discord for Black aces and aspecs, and hopefully that will pick up soon. I'm going to open an IG account for it as well. No idea what I'll post yet, but I'll figure it out. Like I need another social media account. *sigh*

Also, in October, I will be at Bento Con, a book convention in Claymont, Delaware. I'm excited to do another convention, and hopefully this will be more successful for me than Blue Hen, because the people are coming specifically for books! I'm also planning on selling prints of my character artwork this time. I'm waiting on my VistaPrint order to see how my artwork of Jonnie comes out. If it doesn't look too dingy (I can see the eraser marks on my laptop), then I'll order the other characters. Anyway, more details about Bento Con are in my Events Banner -------->.

Goals for this next quarter: I need to at least be halfway through part 2 of this sequel and editing the audiobook recording of Fractured Princess. I'm going to start small, and we'll see how it goes. I also need to be caught up on my reading. Pray for me.

August Writing Update

I was supposed to post this late yesterday, but as K-Ci & Jojo say, "Time is slipping away froooom meee." Eh, nothing wrong with a Saturday post once in a while.

As I sit on the floor in a pile of sweat from my first Zumba instructor training class since 2015 (I think it was, whenever I did Basic 2), I am happy to have a free Saturday for a few weeks. That means I can catch up on Olympic shenanigans I missed during my birthday vacation (still have the Men's Break Dancing to watch, Rhythm Gymnastics, whatever they call Synchronized Swimming now, and both the Opening AND Closing ceremonies), catch up on my DVR, and keep up with the writing momentum I've gained in the past couple of weeks!

I've really been waiting for this feeling to come back, of being excited for the next scenes and getting the ball rolling towards the end of Draft One(ish; y'all know I edit as I go) of Divided Princess. Scenes I wrote prior to knowing where to place them are falling in line, and I can move on with a breath of fresh air and Let's Do This energy. 40 is hitting different, and I'm appreciating it!

Speaking of Divided Princess, even though I've been holding on to this title for dear life, I don't know how much it matches with the current plot anymore. My little cousin brainstormed the title with me, though, so I'm like, "Noooo, I don't want to give it up!" BUT, I think I have a title that fits it better. Even the cover, which I was going to use for Book 3, might fit this book even better. I might be able to use the title for the third book, thinking about it? We'll see. I'll mull it over and reveal the new title if it sticks. I think it will. I'm just trying to hold on to Divided Princess even while I'm tryping this.

Anyway, now that I've exercised and sweat out my freshly gelled edges, lol, I'm going to shower, play a little bit more of Final Fantasy Tactics, and then do some more writing before hopping on Apex. I hope to see y'all soon!

Also: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CASSIE H.! ;)

Also, if you haven't, visit my website! :D

Black Author Spotlight: Tee Noell Rose

 

You are seeing correctly! It's my first Black Author Spotlight in almost 2 whole years! The goal of this segment is to highlight Black authors who are often marginalized and ignored in the publishing industry. Black writers usually turn to self-publishing--an already densely populated industry--to have their stories seen, and it is said that we have to work twice as hard to get half of what our white counterparts have. Hopefully, shining a little light on these authors will help to signal boost the work they are putting out there.

Today, I am highlighting poet Tee Noell Rose. Tee is a self-taught artist and writer from Texas! She specializes in soft pastel drawings and acrylic paintings, and when I say specialize, check out her gorgeous works of art and read about her many awesome accolades because of it! Tee uses "natural imagery to explore themes of identity, mental health, coming of age, and dreams." I especially love the darker colors they use in their art, and the flowers are breathtaking.

In addition to art, Tee writes poetry and short stories. Their latest work, Animal, a collection of poems and photographs centered around the theme of animals, is available on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback formats. Tee also has two previous books, Body and Night. Buy them at their Kindle Store!

If you missed it above, visit Tee's website at https://www.teenoellrose.com/.

You can also visit their blog at Noell Rose – Medium to see their other written works.

Follow Tee on Instagram at noellrose37.

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If you are a Black author who would like to be in the spotlight, email me the following information at debreneebyrd@gmail.com

Name or Pen Name

Genre

Website/Blog

Social Media handles

Book (if any) and where to buy

Permission to use photos