Betsy Horvath

Category: The Quest

  • Lazy

    unmotivatedWhen last we left Betsy and her blog, she was musing about word “can’t”. But what has she done with those thoughts? Is she moving forward? And if she is, why is she lounging on a grassy meadow beside a large, placid lake in her mind? And why are the others helping her on her Quest to become a better writer, and a better person, lounging with her? Why is Harry, the white gerbil who is the Guide for Betsy’s Quest, staring vacantly off into space?  Why is Clara, the resident dust bunny, powdering her nose and draping cobwebs on flowers?  Why is Skipper, the chipmunk who is the best Habit Implementation Specialist on the Muse Council, sitting still for the first time ever?  Why is the Blogosphere, Betsy’s portion of the blogging universe, silent? And why is Coffee, the beverage of champions, looking practically decaffeinated?

    What’s going on? And where is the Muse?

    Let’s see…

     

    I don’t know what to write for my blog. *Betsy lays back on the grass beside the lake in her mind* *Bees buzz over flowers* *A cool breeze blows*

    Then don’t write anything. Here have a sip. *Coffee pours himself into a mug* Oh, wait. *He shivers* There. Iced. *Hands mug to Betsy.

    Thanks. *Betsy sits up and takes mug* *sips* That’s pretty good, but I still feel like I should write something for the blog.

    You could clean instead. *Clara the dust bunny sneezes and pulls another cobweb out of her fur* I’m thinking you need to vacuum more than once a month.

    Maybe. But I spent most of the holiday weekend cleaning and crap. I should be writing.

    You could work on a tiny task *Skipper takes mug from Betsy and sips* Oh, delish! You outdid yourself this time, creampuff.

    *Coffee steams*

    I could, but I’m just not feeling motivated. *Betsy lays back down on the grass* *Looks up at the sky* I don’t feel like working. I guess I don’t feel like doing anything. Except maybe watching Netflix.

    I got you, doll. I don’t feel like Guiding you either. *Harry lays back on the grass beside her* It’s nice here. We should just stay for a while.

    Yeah. *Betsy closes her eyes* It’s not like I’m getting anywhere anyway. I mean, yeah, I have some stuff out, but it’s just taking so long. It’s hard to keep writing, especially when you don’t feel like it.

    It’s hard to keep steaming. *Coffee lays down beside Betsy* *Sloshes a little*

    It’s hard to keep Guiding. *Harry curls his (shorter) tail over his nether regions*

    It’s hard to keep cleaning. *Clara lays down beside Harry* *Sneezes*

    It’s hard to keep jumping. *Skipper lays down beside Coffee*

    It’s hard to keep blogging. *Blogosphere lays down beside Skipper* *Pauses to hurl a insult at a comic book movie* *Closes all it’s eyes.

    You all are pathetic.

    What? *Betsy props herself up on her elbows* *Blinks* Muse? Is that you?

    Yes. *Muse is standing looking down on all of them, frowning* *She crosses her arms* Since when does it matter how you feel? You keep doing even when you don’t feel like it. If you wait until you feel like it, you’ll never do anything.

    *Betsy frowns* Are you talking about writing the blog?

    *Muse shrugs* The blog. The book. Life. Everything.

    *Betsy frowns again* How can I write if I don’t feel like writing?

    *Coffee frowns* How can I percolate if I don’t feel like steaming?

    *Harry frowns* How can I Guide if I don’t feel like Guiding?

    *Clara frowns* How can I clean if I don’t feel like organizing?

    *Skipper frowns* How can I jump if I don’t feel like moving?

    *Blogosphere frowns* How can I troll and make rude comments if I don’t feel like being mean?

    *Muse frowns back at everyone* You just do it. *She points at Blogosphere* Except you. Don’t troll or be mean.

    *Blogosphere sighs* Then what is the point of my existence?

    I don’t know. *Muse glares at them all in turn* Look. You all knew what you signed up for when we started this gig.

    I’m not sure I did. “Betsy’s frown turns into a glare* Netflix didn’t exist then.

    Whatever. *Muse waves that away* You worked for years and never had anything published. Never even had anyone like the stuff you were writing. But you kept going. You didn’t stop.

    I stopped sometimes.

    Which is why it took so long to finish anything. But just because you’ve actually finished something now doesn’t mean that you can stop. It’s like losing ten pounds when you need to lose twenty. You have some success, but you can’t sit back and think it’s over because you’re not where you need to be yet.

    *Betsy frowns, thoughtfully this time* So you’re saying that getting a little bit of the way to your goal is dangerous because then you get lazy?

    *Muse points at her* Exactly. You can’t move forward only when you feel like it. You have to keep going no matter how you feel.

    *Betsy gets to her feet* So, start writing and let the feelings take care of themselves?

    *Coffee gets to its feet* Start steaming?

    *Harry gets to his feet* Start guiding?

    *Clara gets to her feet* Start organizing?

    *Skipper gets to her feet* Start moving?

    *Blogosphere lays back on the ground* I don’t care.

    *Muse shrugs* Whatever. But for the rest of you, yes. Start, even if you think you have some breathing room. Don’t fool yourself.

    *Betsy frowns* But I still don’t know what to write for my blog post.

    *Harry pats her ankle* What if you write about this?

    *Betsy blinks* Hey, that’s a good idea!

    And so she did just that.

     

    To be continued…

     

    Clouds Reflecting In Water

     

     

     

  • Trusting The Muse

    muse2

    When last we left Betsy, she was riding high after publishing her latest book, having survived trials, tribulations, and the obsessive urge to press the “publish” button over and over again. She was even starting to think about taking control of the REST of her life. She was laughing, singing, and dancing in the privacy of her own home.

    But now Betsy is sitting like a huddled mass in front of her computer screen, keening softly as she contemplates the display. Whatever is going on? Can her Muse find out what’s wrong?

    Let’s see…

     

    *Betsy sits alone in the creative control center portion of her brain* *looks at cockpit of screens arrayed in a semi circle around her* *reaches out a hand to tentatively type on the keyboard* *hesitates* *pulls hand back* *wraps arms around her waist* *begins rocking*

    Whatcha doing?

    *Betsy jerks upright* What? Where? Who? Oh, it’s you, Muse. *slumps back down* Hi.

    *Muse sucks on glittery purple lollipop* *hops up on worktable directly in front of Betsy* *swings feet shod in silver go-go boots*

    So what are you doing?

    Trying to write.

    How’s it going?

    I don’t…I think…I’m not sure…

    *Muse slurps lollipop* Spit it out, sugar.

    *Betsy rocks faster* I just don’t think I can do it again. I think I’m probably a fraud and a failure. I’m pretty sure I don’t have any ideas left. I’m sure I can’t possibly tell a story. My books are crap and so am I.

    *Muse considers her* You think?

    I’m pretty sure. I’m stupid for even thinking I could do this.

    Uh huh. *Muse breaks off lollipop, chews it, and throws the stick away* I was under the impression that you were already writing the next book. You’ve got it plotted out and everything.

    *Betsy rocks still faster* Yes, but it’s crap and I’m stupid for even thinking that this is a good idea. I don’t know where the story is.

    *Muse leans back on one hand* But when you sit down to write, does something come out?

    Yes.

    And is it unexpected and maybe nothing you even thought you could write? And maybe you don’t even know where it came from because you didn’t intend to write that particular thing when you sat down?

    *Betsy’s rocking slows* Usually.

    So it’s there when you need it, but it might not always be there when you’re just going through your day-to-day life?

    *Betsy stops rocking* I guess.

    *Muse sits straighter* *spreads her hands* Ta da!

    *Betsy frowns at her* Ta da?

    *Muse bops her on the head* That’s me, dummy.

    Ow. *Betsy rubs the top of her head* Okay. *thinks* *shakes head* Sorry, I don’t get it.

    *Muse punches her on the arm now*

    Ow! *Betsy rubs her arm* Why are you being mean?

    I’m being mean because you’re being a moron. When you sit down to write, when you keep the channel open between us, when you actually work on your stuff every day—

    Like I am.

    *Muse nods* Like you are, then the story is there when you need it. In fact, the truth is that the story is always there. But when you don’t touch it consistently, your pipe gets clogged and you can’t see it.

    *Betsy thinks* But I am working every day.

    Yes. But it doesn’t help anything if you’re all hunchy and rocking back and forth on your desk chair and scared to even sit down at the computer because you think you can’t “do it”, whatever “it” is. The story is there. It will come out of you if you let it. You have to trust me.

    *Betsy pouts* I don’t think “hunchy” is a real word.

    I’m the Muse. I make stuff up. And that right there is what I’m talking about. Don’t try to change the subject. Focus.

    *Betsy pouts some more* I am focused. You’re saying that if I don’t doubt myself, if I keep working, that the story will happen. If I build it, you will come.

    *Muse sighs* *jumps down from desk to sit on arm of Betsy’s chair* *puts arm around Betsy’s shoulders* I’m saying that you will doubt yourself. That’s what you humans do, at least as far as creative stuff goes. In the back of your mind, you might think you’ll never be able to create something again. You’ll think that you’re being stupid and that you should stop. You’ll think that you’re wasting your time and that people will laugh at you or, even worse, ignore you and what you’re putting out in the world. You’ll think you’re a fraud.

    *Betsy slumps* I do.

    *Muse shakes her a little bit* But what I’m telling you is that you need to ignore it. You need to keep going in spite of all that. Because if you reach out, I’ll be there.

    *Betsy frowns* I think that’s a song.

    *Muse shrugs* I like songs.

    *Betsy frowns* So, keep going in spite of all of these thoughts? Don’t let them stop me?

    *Muse squeezes her shoulders* I’m there. The story is there. The world of imagination is there. The birth of creation is there. You’ve heard your whole life that they’re not there. You’ve heard your whole life that you have to be the same as everyone else. That’s the lie.

    *Betsy straightens* I should keep going

    Yes. *Muse kisses her cheek* *Stands* Keep going.

    *Muse vanishes*

    Okay.  *Betsy turns back to keyboard*

     

    To be continued…

     

    butterfly1

     

     

     

  • Mundane Life Tasks

    claraWhen we last left Betsy, she had just published the digital version of her newest book on all platforms and was working diligently on the print version. But publishing, as you might expect, sucks up a lot of time. What about all of the other little things you have to do in life? What about the dishes? What about vacuuming? Are those things getting done as well?

    The short answer is—no.

    Let’s join Betsy as Skipper, the Habit Implementation Specialist (and a chipmunk) sent by the Muse Council, tries to get her to see that she needs to deal with these little mundane tasks, too. 

     

    Betsy enters her brain* *walks down frontal lobe* *stops*

    You’re new. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before.

    I’m Clara.

    You sound congested.

    Allergies.

    *Betsy considers the fuzzy gray blob standing in front of her* What are you, anyway?

    I’m a dust bunny.

    I have a dust bunny in my brain?

    Obviously.

    Well, that explains a lot. So, why are you here?

    We’re overpopulated out in your living room. I was looking for my own place.

    *Betsy thinks* I’m not really sure how I feel about this. I mean it’s one thing to have the Guide for my Quest and my Muse, and Coffee and Skipper, the Habit Implementation Specialist chipmunk, all living in my brain, but having actual dust living in my brain seems wrong.

    *Clara sits on haunches* You’re the one who never vacuums. Dust was bound to get into your brain sooner or later.

    Still..

    Clara? *Skipper hops down the frontal lobe* Where did you—oh, there you are. Hi, Betsy.

    *Betsy points* Did you know I have a dust bunny living in my brain?

    Sure.  I invited her to move in.

    You did? *Betsy stares at Skipper* Why, for heaven’s sake?

    Because I think we need a Life Task Specialist on Team Betsy.

    *Betsy looks at Skipper* *Looks at Clara* *Looks back at Skipper*

    A dust bunny?

    Come to my office.

    *Betsy and Clara follow Skipper to her office* *Betsy closes door behind her*

    What’s going on?

    *Skipper takes seat behind her maple desk* First, I’m quite pleased with how your “Tiny Task Initiative” is going (see this blog post for details).

    *Betsy sits in visitor’s chair* Yeah, I’m doing good, right? Check marks on my calendar almost every day. And the days I don’t get check marks, it’s because I’ve got a deadline for one of the tasks, so I can’t get them all done. But I’m actually working.

    Yes, yes. *Skipper flaps paw* You’re doing very well.

    *Betsy preens*

    But there are some important things slipping through the cracks.

    *Betsy droops* There are?

    *Clara hops over to desk* *Jumps to sit on top of it*

    Did you know the corner behind the cupboard has been declared a hazardous zone? They’re advising all visiting dust bunnies to wear masks. *Clara sneezes* And when dust bunnies think it’s dirty, you’ve got a problem.

    Have you noticed that I’ve been busy?

    Yes. *Skipper folds paws* That’s what we need to talk about. Although it’s wonderful to see you making progress on your tiny tasks, there are things in your life other than writing that you have to take care of as well.

    *Betsy throws up hands* What do you want from me! Either I’m going to be a writer, or I’m not!

    *Skipper holds up a paw* First- you ARE a writer. Period. Second, there are things that happen in day-to-day life, things like mowing the lawn and paying the bills, that you can’t totally ignore.

    *Betsy slumps* Really?

    So, we need to give those things some importance too.

    *Betsy slumps further in chair* Yeah? How? I only have so many hours in the day.

    *Skipper jumps up on her desk to sit next to Clara* I know. And it’s true that writing has to take priority with your time. But you can’t keep putting off the little tasks of life. It’s called balance, and it’s stressing you out. Not to mention the fact that you’ve incurred late charges on some things just because you didn’t take the time out of the weekend to pay the bills. And don’t get me started on the taxes.

    Okay. *Betsy sighs* I guess stuff has to happen. But I still don’t know when I’ll do it all.

    *Skipper dangles back paws off desk* You’re going to do what you’ve been doing with the writing. You’re going to add another tiny task.

    *Betsy looks up* I am?

    *Skipper nods* Yes. You will have five tiny tasks to do every day. 50 words of new fiction. 50 words of new other stuff. 1 minute of walking. 5 minutes of publishing / business stuff. And 5 minutes of life tasks.

    *Betsy sits straighter* I don’t know if I can do it. I don’t know if I can handle five tasks every day.

    *Skipper shrugs* I think your biggest problem is being overwhelmed. It seems like too much to do, so you don’t do anything. You’re going to have to chip away at it. You need to create a disciplined, structured environment to write, not ignore something until you have to run around like an idiot to take care of it at the last minute.

    *Betsy thinks* So, don’t run away from life or use the writing as an excuse. Take care of the routine bits and pieces of life a little at a time.  That way I’ll make some progress, and they won’t build up and choke me?

    *Skipper bounces to her feet* *Strikes cheerleading pose* By George, you’ve got it!

    *Betsy sighs* Okay. *sighs again* Guess I’ll get out the vacuum cleaner.

    *Clara hops off desk*  I’d better go tell the family to head out of town until you’re done.

    Great.

     

    To be continued…

     

    vacuum

     

     

  • Panic, Planning, and Publishing

    HmmmPreviously on Betsy’s blog…

    Betsy has just published her third book, Believing It, and the publishing experience was more than a little stressful.  Part of that has to do with the fact she decided to put the book out right when she was scrambling to finish her taxes.

    But it was also stressful because Betsy can be something of an idiot.

    Harry, the white Gerbil who has the unenviable task of Guiding Betsy on her Quest to become a successful indie author has a few thoughts on the matter.  He’s in Betsy’s brain now, looking for her.

    Let’s see what happens…

     

    *Harry walks down the corridor in Betsy’s brain* *Enters his office* *Stops*

    Betsy?

    *Betsy is sprawled face down on the sofa in the office* *Grunts unintelligibly*

    *Harry shuts office door* *Trots to sofa* *Considers Betsy* *Jumps up and perches on her butt*

    You do realize you’re insane, right?

    *Betsy grunts*

    And I mean other than just blogging about the voices in your head. We’re talking full blown mania here.

    Am not.

    Really? Exactly how much time have you spent obsessing about publishing in the last two weeks?

    I was just concerned about the shopping experience.

    Oh, bull. I live in here, remember? I was so drenched in stress hormones I had to shower twice to wash them off.

    *Betsy rolls over* *Harry nimbly jumps off before he is crushed under her*

    Of course I was stressed!  Okay, maybe I was a little quick pushing the “publish” button. Maybe I didn’t think things through exactly. I was just intent on making my date. Getting the thing up and running the way I’d promised.

    First of all, you were the only one really intent on making that date. You hadn’t actually promised a date to the world at large.

    I always feel like I’m running to catch up, and that when I actually have a product to put out there, I want to get it done and out because I’m afraid I won’t ever actually put it out if I don’t push it through and do it.

    You rushed.

    Yeah.

    And you pushed the “publish” button.

    *Betsy sighs* Yeah. And then I saw that the Amazon file was opening in the table of contents-even though it shouldn’t have been doing that.  So I fixed that, or thought I did.

    So you published Believing It again.

    And then I found formatting errors in all of the vendors’ files, where some paragraph indents were missing.

    So you published Believing It again.

    And then I wanted to put in links to Believing It in the back of Handling It when I had the links available.

    So you published Handling It again.

    And then I figured out how to make the covers for both books nicer. That was fine, but I wanted to put the updated cover in the actual books, so people would have it when they opened.

    So you published both books again.

    And then I announced Believing It was published, only to realize, right after I did, that I’d missed some other missing paragraph indents, and it was still opening in the table of contents or other random places on Amazon, even though I thought I’d fixed it.

    So you published Believing It again

    And then I realized that the reason the Amazon file was opening in random places was because I’d uploaded an ePub file—which you’re supposed to be able to do—instead of an amazon format file.

    So you published Believing It again.

    *Betsy sighs* Yeah.

    *Harry jumps up to the top of his gerbil habitat* *Grabs little bottle of orange juice* *Takes a long swig* Sweet Christmas! No wonder you got confused.

    *Betsy sighs* Yeah.

    *Harry rests little arms on the edge of the habitat* So, maybe you should have looked into all of this before you pushed publish in the first place?

    *Betsy sighs* Yeah.

    *Harry considers her for a moment* Okay. Let’s regroup.

    Okay.

    First of all, the book is finished, up, live, published. And now that your insanity seems to have settled down, it actually looks relatively nice. That’s all good.

    *Betsy straightens* You’re right. That IS good.

    *Harry holds up a paw* But because you didn’t plan, because you rushed, because you panicked, and because you were an insane idiot publishing over and over again instead of getting it all right before you pushed “publish” in the first place, people might have bought the book when the shopping experience was not ideal.

    *Betsy droops* I know. *Looks at Harry* But the book itself never changed. It was always just formatting. I wasn’t editing the actual book.

    Still. *Harry looks stern* You don’t have so many readers that you can afford to make people angry or confused because the book they purchased opens the first time to some random place instead of chapter one like it was supposed to. Or that when they’re reading, some paragraph formatting is missing in a few places. It makes you look very unprofessional.

    *Betsy droops further* I know.

    So you need to plan. You need to find the problems first, fix them, and THEN go live.

    *Betsy kicks toe of running shoe against coffee table* I know.

    You can’t panic, and rush your product to the market before you’ve thought everything through.

    *Betsy throws up hands* I know, all right? I know! But the book is fine now on all of the platforms. I’ve tested it. It looks fine. It opens to chapter one on Amazon. The places where the paragraphs weren’t indented is fixed.

    You never have a second chance to make a first impression.

    *Betsy droops even more*  I know

    Okay.  Let’s hope you mean it.  *Harry crosses little paws over his chest*  Anything else you’ve learned from this experience?

    *Betsy straightens*  Oh, tons!

    Then we know what to talk about next time.

     

    To be continued…

     

    circus-bear-pic2

  • Just Chillin’

    ocean2

    As you may, or may not, know, Betsy is on a Quest to become a successful independent author / entrepreneur. Her Guide on this Quest is a white gerbil named Harry, who lives in her brain and annoys her on a regular basis.

    Betsy has been known to yammer about goals and objectives here on the blog, but today she does not seem to be in her office. Her desk sits empty, the lights in her brain are dark. Where is she? What in the world is going on?

    Let’s find out…

     

    *Betsy lounges by the ocean that rumbles through her mind* *watches the dolphins and whales playing out in the waves* *digs bare toes in the sand*

    Hey, doll. *Harry walks up to her* Whatcha doing?

    *Betsy lets out a deep breath* Just chilling, bro.

    Oh. *Harry sits down on the sand next to her* Aren’t you supposed to be working? I thought you had a ton of stuff you wanted to do.

    Tons. *Betsy smiles at the sunset* Too much to do and not enough time to do it all.

    Uh huh. *Harry considers her* Then why aren’t you a little more, well, frantic?

    *Betsy shrugs* I’ve decided I’m not going to let writing and publishing stress me out anymore.

    Really? *Harry frowns* You’ve been stressing about that for years.

    I know, I know. *Betsy lays down on the sand* I think it’s because of the people.

    People?

    *Betsy waves her hand* There are all these people out there saying “do this”, or “don’t do that”, giving their opinions about what they think is right and correct. And when you listen to them, you can forget what it is YOU actually want to do. Or, worse, you wake up and realize your whole life has drifted away because you’ve been busy chasing after what you think you SHOULD do. I’m not going to do that anymore. The thing you love should enhance your life, not steal it, right?

    *Harry lays back on the sand* You have to craft your Quest your own way.

    Yes! *Betsy sits straight and points a finger at Harry* I’m going to live my life my way. And part of that is taking a few minutes to just enjoy. Not always be stressing because I should be doing something else to be successful.

    Because if you can’t enjoy your life, what’s the point?

    Yes!

    *Harry yawns* So you wasted all of your time reading blogs and books and whatnot trying to figure out the whole independent writer gig.

    No I didn’t. Don’t be a jerk. *Betsy frowns at him*

    What? *Harry blinks up at her* You said it yourself. Listening to all those people made you cray-cray.

    No. *Betsy’s frown deepens* I had to know what I was getting into. I had to research the crap out of the thing. Immerse myself completely. That’s what you have to do if you love something. You have to read everything about it, talk to people, understand the ins and outs, sit at the feet of the darned thing. Maybe for years.

    *Harry sits up* Years?

    *Betsy shrugs* I don’t think there’s a shortcut. I think you have to study everything, learn as much as you can. But then, at some point, the stress of trying to live up to what you think you “should” be doing gets to you. That’s when you have to let it all go and go your own way.

    So, it’s like when you learn to paint. First, you mimic other painters, and then eventually do your own thing. Right?

    Right. *Betsy shrugs* It’s the timing that’s kind of sticky. You need to learn. You need to mimic. But then you need to do what you think is right for you.

    *Harry nods* Because your path is different.

    Mimic too long and you’ll never be you. Don’t develop your understanding and you’ll never be you. And that goes for the whole deal — writing, publishing, marketing, everything. The whole “being an author” thing. *Betsy frowns* Actually, for the whole “being an anything” thing.

    *Harry scratches side, then leans back on paws* So, the point of this blog post is to say you’ve decided you’re okay with doing this writing gig your own way, no matter how other people do it?

    *Betsy lays back on the sand and looks up at the sky* Pretty much.

    *Harry lays down next to her* And you’re not worried about screwing up?

    *Betsy shrugs* Kind of. But at least it will be my screw up.

    *Harry rolls head to look at her* But we’re not stressed?

    Nope.

    We’re chillin’?

    *Betsy grins at him* You got it, little dude.

    *Harry rolls his eyes* Never call me that again.

     

    To be continued…

     

    ocean1

     

     

     

  • The Next Generation

    enterprise next generationPreviously on Betsy’s blog –

    Betsy, as you may know, is on a Quest to become a successful independent author.  Harry, as you may also know, is her Guide on this Quest.  He is a white gerbil with hopes of one day upgrading to a more traditional Quest Guide form.  Maybe a white rabbit, or even a white stag.  

    Harry hasn’t had a heck of a lot to do lately, mostly because Betsy’s been in a bit of a funk.  They actually haven’t spoken all that much, which is kind of concerning, considering the fact that Harry lives in Betsy’s brain.  But today, things seem different.  Harry is bustling around his office, and Betsy is acting…happy.  What in the world is going on?

    Let’s see….

     

    *Betsy enters her brain* *Walks through neural pathways* *Whistles* *Playfully taps a ganglia* *Opens a door, and walks into Harry’s office* *Stops short*

    What’s going on in here?

    *Harry is sitting on top of his gerbil habitat in a starship captain’s chair*  *Swivels to face Betsy*

    Hey, doll. We’re about to take off for a new adventure right?

    *Betsy squints*  You redecorated.  It looks like the Starship Enterprise in here.  And you’re wearing red spandex.

    *Harry snaps his suit* It brings out the color of my eyes. Besides, I’m outta the Captain Kirk outfit. We’re in Next Generation territory now.

    *Betsy walks further into the office and settles on an uncomfortable chair behind a sleek modern desk*

    We are?

    We are. This is the next generation of your Quest. So, goodbye old-school gold captain’s uniform, hello dangerous red. We’re taking chances. We are making it so. Kicking ass and taking names. We are engaging. Booyah! *Harry does a seated karate chop*

    I thought I was just writing.

    *Harry points a paw at her* Exactly, Number One. You are making it so.

    Because I have another book that’s almost finished and it’s going to come out soon? (Attention reader – see what I did there? I injected some marketing. And this? This is breaking the fourth wall. Hey, I saw Deadpool too.)

    *Harry frowns at her* I saw what you did there. You injected some marketing.

    *Betsy blinks*  Why?  Because I mentioned that I have another book almost finished and it’s going to come out soon?

    Yes.

    Well, it’s hardly marketing. I didn’t tell people that there will be a cover reveal coming soon, did I? Or that they should stay tuned because I’ll be revealing it and the first chapter here on the blog?

    No, but—

    And I didn’t mention that I’ll let everyone know when it’s available for pre-order, did I?

    No, but—

    And I didn’t say that I’ll post sales links as soon as they’re available, did I?

    Would you shut up? *Harry snaps at Betsy* People don’t want to hear about marketing all the time. Don’t you have any deep thoughts this week? Any layers you want to strip off your soul to bare it before the world?

    *Betsy shrugs* Not really. I’m actually feeling pretty okay these days.

    *Harry sighs* *Pinches bridge of nose* God, you make me tired sometimes. Okay, fine. Tell everyone about the book.

    Oh, oh. *Betsy sits straighter* Well, the book is titled Believing It, and it’s the prequel to Handling It. It stars June and Calvin, who were pretty big characters in that book. If anybody read it and remembers.

    *Harry snorts*  Prequel.  Just like Star Wars.

    No, no! Well, yes, but no. See, I would have released the books in order, but I didn’t know I needed to write Believing it until Handling It was finished. Hopefully it will fill in some additional information, and you’ll get to know June and Calvin better. I’m hoping to spin them off into a series of short novels falling in between the other books in the series. But I’m not going to have a prequel trilogy or anything.

    Okay.

    And I’ll have a cover reveal and first chapter here on the blog soon. I got the manuscript back from my editor, but then life got busy, and I haven’t finished the editing yet. So, when I have it available for pre-order, I’ll post all of that stuff. But my newsletter that comes out tomorrow, March 7, will have a special early cover reveal and the description. Did you remember I have a newsletter (see link in sidebar)?

    *Harry sniffs* You’ve never given me the privilege of appearing in your newsletter. So no. I didn’t remember it.

    Don’t sulk. Every month I tell people the news—

    If you have any.

    —and there’s an excerpt from The Hardy Falls Gazette, which is the online newspaper edited by Ms. Gregory, the Hardy Falls librarian.

    Great.

    But don’t worry. If you haven’t subscribed yet, you can subscribe now and get the links for all of the old newsletters! All of them!

    Uh huh.  *Harry folds paws on stomach* And how many newsletters are there again?

    *Betsy’s eyes slide left* So, this will be, like, the third one.

    Since you started the thing six months ago, I see we’re going gangbusters over there.

    Hey, I’m getting better! And the newsletter will come out regularly and the blog will come out regularly and the books will come out regularly and maybe short stories will come out regularly, too!

    You sound very regular.

    I am!

    *Harry settles back in chair* Okay, so let me recap the point of this post, since we seem to have lost the theme somewhere along the way.

    Okay.

    We’re starting the next generation of your Quest.

    Which is why you’re wearing the Picard uniform instead of the Kirk uniform.

    Exactly. And you have a book you’re finishing up and it will come out soon.

    Soon!

    And when it’s available for pre-order, you’ll post information here. But for now if somebody wants to see the cover and read the full description—and honestly, who’s going to be that excited about it except you?—they can subscribe to your newsletter (see link in sidebar) and it will be in the newsletter coming out on March 7th. That about cover it?

    *Betsy claps hands* Yes!

    Okay. *Harry arches an eyebrow* Mind if we get started on the next generation of your Quest now? Mind if we get this starship going so we can promote your regularity?

    *Betsy bounces in chair* Yes! Yes! Let’s go, let’s go! Make it so!

    *Harry sighs*

    Say it! *Betsy squeals* Say it!

    God. Okay, yes. Make it so Number One.

    Aye aye, Captain. *Betsy salutes and runs out of the post*

    I really need a drink.

     

    To be continued….

     

    picard