Hey everybody,
Short story 14 of 20 is out now, and it’s called London Loves Leather. It’s about a woman named Stephanie. She is traveling to London by train when she meets Anwar. They decide to take a taxi together and make plans to meet up later that night. In the meantime, Stephanie checks into a hostel, goes shopping and sees something she must have. She takes it, thinking no one will notice, but do they?
Check it out now:
Hello everybody,
I hope you are all keeping safe.
Can you believe how fast the holidays are coming up? I know we are all happy about that and I want to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving.
Check out my latest short story, Stay with Me. It’s about Suzie’s husband James who disappeared long ago. One night he returns to explain why. Suzie doesn’t understand, but she will.
Click the image below for more information.
Happy reading!
Hey all,
I hope you’re doing well. I’ve released short story 4 of 19. Morning in the Life of Dogs is about a married couple, James and Melissa, and their dogs Rocko and Annie. After years of being married, James and Melissa have hit a rough patch and are arguing non-stop, while their dogs have issues of their own. When a tragic incident occurs, James and Melissa decide the fate of their marriage once and for all.
Check it out on Amazon now.
Happy reading y’all!
Every year, I re-evaluate my life’s goals. I take into account, where I am, what I’ve done, and where I want to be in the future. I think about my health, my family, my career, and my friendships. This type of evaluation becomes more essential the older I get. If I know where I’ve been and I have goals, then I know where I’m going.
This year, there have been some losses and health scares in my family. These situations have made me realize that I must make better health choices to get my body and mind to its optimum state.
I also believe that being healthy goes beyond the physical and that I need to be as mentally healthy as possible. This is why I am learning how to take things as they come, surround myself with supportive and positive people, and think before I speak. I will also put out supportive and positive energy. I will be more appreciative of the happiness that surrounds me.
I love being able to witness the good that surrounds my family and friends. I love it when they not only what they want, but what they deserve. This year, my husband received his master’s degree, my son received an excellent report card, my sister went back to college, and my brother helped my parents move to North Carolina to be closer to him. They are all pretty happy, which makes me happy.
Watching my family succeed is motivating because if they can do it, then so can I. They make me feel invincible. I am determined to sharpen my writing, editing, marketing, and design skills. I will utilize these skills to be as successful as possible this year.
The older I get, the more I realize that time is one of the most important currencies in my life. I will not squander it away as I have done in the past. It is important to be selective about who I spend my time with and what I spend my time on. This year, I will spend more time with my family, on my work, and on myself.
I know how easy it is to lose your way. This is why it’s important to set goals with time limits and take action.
Here are some questions you may want to answer to help you with your own life evaluation:
This is your year and nothing will stop you. You can do it. Good luck with all of your goals!
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” -Thoreau
Happy New Year!
I just had a piece published by Chicago Literary Map.
If you haven’t heard of Chicago Literary Map, you should check it out. Here’s what it’s all about:
“Beyond the bright lights and cityscapes, stories unfold. Some are true, others are fiction, showing you a side of the city that often goes untold. Chicago Literary Map is charting the text and putting it in the palm of your literary-loving hand.
Navigate Chicago on a new level, guided by the voices who have been, where updates bring new vignettes from around the city.”
Rad, huh?
Please check out my piece called Ohio Street.
If you’d like to more about the creator of CLM, Stephanie Plenner, please follow her on Twitter: @splenner. You can also follow Chicago Literary Map here: @literarymap.
Your turn. What was it like where you grew up in Chicago?
My life is always changing, which means that the space around me is always changing. After my first update, I worked on my office closet again and here are the results.
I stated that I wanted convenience, space, lighting, and color. I think I have achieved all of that and more.
Here is my current space:
And here is a close-up of the interior: 
Here is what I did to achieve my dream space:
For convenience, I had an outlet put into my dining room and it is wonderful. I no longer have to avoid cords sprawled across my floor.
For space, I purged a ton of paper. I still have one small bin that I need to go through, but everything else is in files on my desktop. Sure things need to be separated, but at least all of that paper is out of the way.
For lighting, I used a clamp lamp, which can be moved around anywhere. It’s a great tool to have. I couple that with my overhead light above and it works beautifully. I believe that a workspace needs plenty of light to be functional.
For color, I added a city scene that my son made and put up photographs and desk toys. These pops of color are like tiny pieces of happy energy that help me focus.
For organization, I added a DIY combination cork/dry erase board. I made it using an old cabinet door and a pack of square cork and dry erase tiles. I used stamps and white paint to make patterns on the cork, which gave it a little bit of personality. I love my cork/dry erase board and use it every day to keep track of ideas, to-do lists, and important reminders.
I also organized my writing books by color. Organizing books by color makes your space look well put together. Try it yourself.
The best part about my office closet is that there is a place for everything and when I’m done, I can just close it up and join the real world.
May you find your perfect work space in your home as well!
When I began freelancing, I didn’t have a computer. I’d write out all of my short stories and novel ideas in notebooks. Then, I’d take them to the nearest computer/coffee shop where I’d spend hours transcribing. I thought I was spending my time and energy wisely, but looking back, I wasn’t as productive as I should’ve been.
I should’ve been writing, not transcribing, but I didn’t have a proper tools or workspace. It’s easy to talk yourself out of being productive when you don’t have either.
It took me a few years, but I now have what I need: space, a laptop, software, books, a coffee maker, a routine, and the ability to say no.
This works for me, but every once in a while I dig a change of scenery. Unfortunately, I get easily distracted at coffee shops and bookstores. This leaves me with my current workspaces. I have three desk areas, but they are all very small.
Here’s what I need: space, light, color, and convenience.
Here’s what I need to do: purge and purchase new matching supplies.
When my workspace is unorganized, I find that I am mentally unorganized. I am going to fix my workspaces. My timeline to get these workspaces complete is in 1 month.
I will show before and after photos of my workspace on Monday, May 5th. Stay tuned.
If you’ve tuned into the news lately, you’re aware that the weather in the Midwest and beyond has been intense. It’s been snowy to say the least, but we’re tough. We can handle it. Except when people get stuck in the alleys. That’s where we draw the line.
A few weeks ago on Saturday morning, I was awakened by the sound of spinning wheels. I looked out and saw a truck stuck in the snow. The alley hadn’t been plowed and I wasn’t sure it would. Alleys aren’t top priority in Chicago after a snowstorm.
The driver kept hitting the gas. The wheels spun. This went on for an hour and a half.
If you’ve ever been awakened by somebody stuck in the snow before drinking your first cup of coffee in the morning then you know how blow-out-your-brains inducing this can be. Think I’m exaggerating? Watch for yourself:
Imagine hearing this for an hour and a half.
Just as I was about to go out and bring the driver a shovel, I saw my neighbor trying to help. Strange thing was, the driver didn’t seem to want his help. Eventually, two burly men arrived and pushed the driver out of the snow.
A beautiful calm fell over my alley and all I could think was, silence is wonderful.
Note to self: emergency shovels are essential and rather cheap.
Note to others: Chicago winters aren’t something to be messed with. Prepare well.
The following is a true story, which may or may not have happened to me. Origin: USA.
