Greetings Readers!

It's been a while since I wrote an update post, for various reasons. Partly because so far, August has been filled with lots of fun times outside of the house.

My oldest child and their partner visited for a week, and we went bowling and did some other fun family activities, including visiting the Kenji Store. It's described as 'Modern Asian culture with a British twist,' and sells everything from snacks, to journals, to homeware. Needless to say, I always spend a fortune when I go there. This past time I went, I bought some enamel pins, and realized my collection is getting quite big now!

Bonus picture of me posing with the cute anime-style figure in the Kenji store.

Then, this past Monday, I met up with fellow authors-turned-friends Karen Sanders and Clare Bentley. An excellent time was had all around, and plans were made for the author group Karen runs -- Write Here, Write Now.

You've probably heard me mention the group before, and I will be doing a spotlight post this coming Monday. But while me, Karen and Clare B. were together on Monday, we made plans for the 'Olympics' themed activities for September, as well as discussing promotion for the forth-coming Christmas anthology.

Speaking of the anthology -- I've changed what I'm writing for it. (Twice!). Originally, I was going to write a Josain Jovenne short, but the idea just didn't fit with where Josain is as a character since working on her main story.

Then I conceived an idea about a snowman that comes to life and turns into a sexy elf. I do love that idea, and might still write it as a one-shot/ freebie type thing, time pending.

But I remembered a story I started a few years ago, about an older couple, on the brink of separating, who agree to spend one last Christmas together as a family with their three children, and then they get snowed in. I re-read what I'd previously written, and I love the story, so that's the one I'm going with for the WH,WN Chirstmas anthology.

We'll see if Frosty The Snow-Elf gets a story of his own too ... I have three other stories or partial stories I need to complete before the end of the year, and those are my priority.

Speaking of stories ... I *think* I've finished The Adventures of Josain Jovene. At just over 30k words. The story really got away from me, but I love how it's turned out. It's put some additional things nicely in place for The Starlight Prince. Now I just have to move a few scenes around, work on edits and it should be ready to share with my mailing list subs soon.

Then I need to work on the three projects I alluded to above ... There's the WH, WN Christmas anthology piece which is 15k words maximum and due October 22, the first 25k for a sorcerer-themed collection with StoryTellerPublisher22 that's due at the end of the year, and of course, the continuation of the Starlight Prince. The release date for that is 25 February 2025, but I want to allow my editor enough time to work on it too.

I know that sounds like a lot. It is a lot. But I have planned a schedule, and I'm confident if I focus and write 5000 words a week, I can meet all the various deadlines ... which will be easier said than done with Dragon Age coming out on October 31, but maybe I can reward myself for X amount of words with X hours of playtime.

Speaking of milestones in November, I will have my ADHD assessment! The email that I could book my assessment came through almost a year to the day since my referral was received by psychiatry-uk and I was added to their system. The first available appointments were in November, which I expected. What I didn't expect was the choice of psychiatrists. There were at least five per day available and at first, the choice was a little overwhelming. But I found someone who specializes in women's mental health, ADHD in women, and PMDD, making them a perfect fit for me. Now I just have to stop worrying until November. And of course, after the assessment, if I do have ADHD (which I'm 90% sure I do) I will have to through titration for medication, which can take several months. Still, progress is being made. 

I will have to check in with my GP about the gynaecologist referral for PMDD because it's been a few months and I haven't heard anything … but I’ll take one thing at a time and *try* not to overload myself.

I’m also planning on making other health changes. My weight is starting to bother me … or more accurately, I don’t want to die young due to weight-related issues. I am not putting all this time and effort into getting help with ADHD and PMDD, only to keel over from a heart attack or something. 

So, from September, hubby and I will be dieting again, as we know we will have more success if we do it together. (ADHD buddy system folks!). Tomorrow, we’re going out and we’re going to get smartwatches to track our calories and sleep, and some weights. We already have an exercise bike, and I want to be a ‘muscle mommy’ so we’re alternating weights and cycling 2 times a week from September.

Wish us luck!

I think that’s everything I have for now, but there might be some changes to the blog going forward … As I mentioned previously, I don’t always have posts/ ideas for ‘Favourites Friday’ and while I do LOVE the ‘Memorable Monday’ posts, I only have three more in mind. Plus, I want to make sure my focus is on my novels, not blog content. At the same time, I don’t want to fall into the habit of only posting when I have promos to share, so I will *try* to update at least once a month, hopefully more.

That said, I have some promos and swaps coming tomorrow, and I have a few more ‘Memorable Monday’ posts planned so posts will be more frequent than once a month for a little longer. 

Okay, I’m really going now! lol I want to work on the revisions of The Adventures of Josain Jovene. I need to move some scenes around and I want to check in on the editing suggestions Clare B has made (bless her heart).

Until next time, take care & stay creative.

T.T.F.N