Allie Bock's Blog

 

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
The awesome co-hosts for the September 3 posting of the IWSG are Kim Lajevardi, Natalie Aguirre, Nancy Gideon, and Diedre Knight!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional!

September 3 question - What are your thoughts on using AI, such as GPChat, Raptor, and others with your writing? Would you use it for research, storybible, or creating outlines\beats? 

Hi Dear other IWSG posters! I have missed the last month or two. I plan my post and then it seems that chaos reigns in my household the day of IWSG. I know, it is an excuse. I could write my post ahead of time, and in all actuality I really try to. I'm just not good about planning and writing and scheduling my posts. I can't even do that with my newsletter which I send out once a week. Such is life for me. So I apologize for missing the last ones. This month's question is an interesting one. I feel like the answers are going to range along with emotions on the subject. I don't use AI in my writing, planning or composing. Writing is the one thing that I am able to do with only my creativity. It is why I write. To express my feelings and share my stories in the way that only I can do. I want it to be hard and I want to make mistakes. I love the feeling of writing something, taking long walks thinking about where I am stuck, talking to other people, and reworking it. I am not against other writers using it. That is up to them. I don't care. It doesn't affect my writing or what I am going to be doing.  I do use AI to help me write my medical notes and emails for work. I just don't want it to help my writing. What do you think? Do you use AI for your writing? Hugs,Allie  How do you feel about it? 

 

Smashwords is running their annual summer sale through the month of July. My books are participating.

Why should you checkout Smashwords? What is Smashwords?

Smashwords is a retailer site that sells ebooks, like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, etc. The difference is that they sell only Indie author ebooks. When you buy from Smashwords, you get a download of the ebook file to read on your device or you can read on their reader. I download the ebook file. The great thing is you can read it on any device you have. Depending what ereader or tablet you have, you can transfer files via the cloud or a USB cable. If you have a kindle, you can email them to your kindle’s address and it will show up. If you read on your phone or tablet, it will download it to the device and open in your favorite reading device.

For more information, check out their FAQ page.

Why buy from Smashwords?

If you are into ebooks, Smashwords is great. You get to download the file for the book to keep for as long as you want. You can read it on your phone, send it to your kindle, send it to another device, read it on your computer, or “borrow” it to a friend. (Please encourage them to buy their own copy.) :)

In this digital age, we don't actually own the files for the media (books, music, videos) we “purchase” from Amazon, Apple, or Barnes and Noble. It is an extended licensing agreement. It may not matter to you and that is fine. But if it does, buying from Smashwords and direct from my website are the best way to own your files. I think you can download your ebooks from Kobo and Google Play. I just haven't tried it.

Look for my books! 

Hugs,

Allie

Originally posted on my Substack.  

 Hi Dear Reader,

 The month of June is my 5th year anniversary of publishing my stories. I am offering 50% off of my ebooks through my store. The sale is good until the June 30th at 11:59PM CST. 

Use the code 5YR50 to get 50% off of my books. 

Thank you for supporting my writing! 

 

Book Spotlight: My Cowboy Crush 

My Cowboy Crush is the first book in my Cowboys of Sunnydale series.   

 

 Here is Chapter 1 for your enjoyment! You can read the rest of the chapters by the tag My Cowboy Crush here on the blog. Or you can get it for free by joining my newsletter!

Chapter 1Katie

I strode up thestone pathway to the white doors of the park pavilion. Nerves shookmy body causing my palms to be clammy, my heart pounded, and my bodyto sweat more than normal. Breathe, Katie. You’ve got this.I closed my eyes for a second to steel my nerves. Then, I pushed openthe doors with a loud screech. Swarms of women scurried around thelarge open room. No one noticed me as I took another step inside. Alarge breath escaped as I scanned the room for the one person I waslooking for.

“Katie, you finally made it!” The bride-to-be rushed at me fromthe center of the room.

Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch us. My anxietyskyrocketed, making my chest hurt. I rubbed at my sternum as I tookin another breath. They paused for a moment before resuming theirdecorating.

“Um, I just got here.”

The bride-to-be, Annie, wrapped me into a big hug and bounced up anddown.

“I’m getting married!” She screeched.

I winced at the pitch, but I couldn’t help smiling at the otherwoman. Her shiny black hair bounced around her shoulders. Itcontrasted nicely with her ivory lace dress and faded cowboy boots.

“I’m just so glad you are here,” she whispered in my ear, “Comeon.”

She took my hand and led me to the far corner. She opened a smalldoor and shoved me into a dark closet. The door shut softly behindher with a click. The dust tickled my nose as the moldy smellsuffocated me.

“What are we doing in here?” A sneeze erupted from my nose.

I covered my mouth and nose with my hand. My eyes adjusted to thedarkness. Cobwebs suspended in the corners. A couple of discardedfolding chairs leaned against the back wall. A large yellow spiderdropped from the ceiling and hung inches above her head as she leanedclose to me.

“I need your help.” Her blue eyes grew wide as they searched myface.

“OK.” Where is she going with this? Is that spider going todrop on to her head?

“Katie, pay attention.”

“Sorry, there’s a big spider up there.”

“Don’t worry about the spider. I need your help.”

“You’ve said that.”

“My wedding photographer is in the hospital.”

“Oh no.” I gasped, inhaling a breath of dust. Coughing. “Iseverything alright?"

"Her baby was born a preemie. They are both still in thehospital. I know that this is a lot to ask, but you’re the only onethat can help me.” Tears glistened in the corner of her eyes. “Canyou, please, take pictures of the wedding? For me?”

I backed up until my back hit the wall. A shower of dust fell onto myshoulders. The large yellow spider scuttled back up her silk to hidein the rafters.

“Um, doesn’t she have a backup?” I coughed and sputtered in thedust.

“It was supposed to be her partner but she got thrown from a horseand broke a leg. I need you to do it.”

I glanced around but there was no way out. My palms started to sweat,again.

“But I only do landscape and nature photography.” Panic rose inmy chest.

“Please.” She clasped my hands in hers.

“But photographing people is hard. They don’t listen to me.” Myhands shook. “The lighting has to be perfect. Everyone needs to belooking at the camera.” My thoughts jumped ahead and I got lost inthem for a minute. “Plus, it’s a wedding. I’ve never done awedding before!”

“But you do such beautiful work. How hard would it be to add peopleto your landscapes?”

How hard indeed? “People” My voice sounded weak to myears. My mind trudged like it was stuck in fudge. “It’s notreally in my wheelhouse. Or even within a hundred miles.”

“Please, say you’ll do it for me? It’s my wedding, I need thisto be perfect.”

I nodded. That didn’t make me feel any better. But this was abig deal for Annie. And she had always been a big supporter of mywork.

“I want this to go well. If you do it, you’ll be saving the day.”She pleaded.

My heart sunk at her words. Annie was always good at getting me to dothings for her. She knew what buttons to push to get me to cave. Andshe did need help.

“Fine, I’lldo it.”

She squealed andgave me another hug before opening the closet door.

“Perfect! Hereis a list of pictures I want to be done.” She thrust a large binderinto my hands. “See what you can do. Here’s the itinerary for thewedding. And I’ll get you an assistant.” She bustled away.

An assistant?I sat down on a nearby bench as my head swam. My relaxing weekendaway to see my old babysitter get married just turned into the stuffof my nightmares.

Levi

I slapped thedust from my cowboy hat before shoving it on my head. I loved mysister, but the whole wedding nonsense drove me crazy. I’d ratherbe branding two hundred calves than delivering Annie’s waywardballoons. But here I was. My fist grabbed a hunk of ribbon and tuggedthe fifty white and ivory balloons. They fought for freedom, blockingmy view as I stumbled my way into the pavilion. I fumbled for thedoorknob until the door opened and I stepped into the large room. Acouple of balloons stuck to the door frame, stopping my forwardprogress. I turned to pull them into the room. With a loud squeak,they released from the door frame. I stumbled backward, my armsflailed, and balloons floated to the ceiling. With a thud and a softcry, someone broke my momentum. We went down in a pile of arms andlegs.

        “Levi, are youOK?”

        Annie bent overme as she extracted the woman underneath me. She was curvy withbouncy blonde hair. She straightened her skirt before looking at me.Her blue eyes widened when our gazes met. The breath caught in mythroat as recognition dawned on me.

        “You rememberKatie Kisment?” Annie flung an arm over the girl’s shoulders.

        “Of course.”I swept my cowboy hat from my head as my heart thundered in my chest.“It’s good to see you.”

        A pretty blushcolored her cheeks. Boy, has she grown up. I haven’t seenher for five years when she went off to college. Back then, she was ashy teenager who’d barely say hi to me. She dyed her pretty blondehair black and wore baggy black clothes. She didn’t smile much andhid behind chunky black glasses. I preferred her current naturalblonde and blue glasses. She looked lovely and my body responded toher. I could stare into her blue eyes forever.

        “Earth toLevi.” Annie waved her hand in front of my face.

        “Yup.” Idrew my gaze from the stunning beauty next to her and collected theballoons I could reach.

        “Katie needsan assistant for the wedding. And I need you to help her.”

        I froze inmid-reach. I loved my sister but I was trying to stay out of thewedding. I just wanted to shine my boots and walk my mother down theaisle.

        “What?” Istuttered.

        “She’s goingto be my photographer since my original one is in the hospital. Sheneeds help and you’re going to help her.” She poked me in thechest, hard. She spun on her heel and stalked off to torment someoneelse.

        I caught thelast balloon before turning to Katie. Her eyes were wide and hermouth opened into a little O. I smiled at her as she wrung her handstogether.

        “I don’tknow anything about being a photographer’s assistant.”

        “That’sfine.” A smile tugged at her lips. “I’ve never done a wedding.”She stage whispered, causing me to laugh.

        “That makestwo of us. I’ll take these over to my mom.” I motioned to thegrey-haired woman by the archway. “Then, I am at your beck andcall.” I winked at her as I walked past.

    My head spun asI crossed the room. I had to spend the next thirty-six hours beingwith the one girl I’ve crushed on. The one girl that wasoff-limits, because I worked for her family. There were three rulesto working on the Kisment ranch. No fighting, no drugs, and no datingtheir only daughter. It was shaping up to be a long wedding. I had tolive the next several hours without losing my heart or my job.

My Cowboy Crush is available in my shop, as a paperback, on all e-book retailers, or at your local library.

You can also get a FREE e-book copy by joining my newsletter!  

Thank you for reading and see you next week!

Hugs,

Allie 

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Book Spotlight: My Cowboy Crush 

My Cowboy Crush is the first book in my Cowboys of Sunnydale series.   

 

Book Blurb:

 Katie Kisment never thought much about going home after she left for college. Truth be told, she couldn't leave town fast enough.

But life goes on and being there to see her oldest friend get married was something she wasn't going to miss. All of the focus would be on the bride-to-be so no one would probably even recognize her. How bad could it be?

As a photographer, Katie was used to hiding behind the camera. But not even her camera could hide her from the only person she ever had feelings for, even if he never knew.

As a cowboy on the Kisment Ranch, Levi knew the three unbreakable rules: no fighting, no drugs, and no dating their only daughter.
Levi was happy for his sister, he really was, but he didn't see why he had to be so involved in her wedding. It was bad enough she had him toting balloons around like a child, what could she come up with next?

Saddle up and hang on tight for the wild ride in this sweet and clean story set in Sunnydale, TX. Will Katie survive the wedding weekend in her old home town? Will Levi be able to keep his composure and not make a scene at his sister's wedding? Or will fate have something entirely different in mind for both of them?

My Cowboy Crush is available in my shop, as a paperback, on all e-book retailers, or at your local library.

You can also get a FREE e-book copy by joining my newsletter!  

 

  Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.   
  Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
The awesome co-hosts for the June 4 posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, Pat Garcia, Kim Lajevardi, Melisa Maygrove, and  Jean Davis!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional June 4 question - What were some books that impacted you as a child or young adult?  This is a fun question. I was raised by a bookworm and spent so much of my childhood reading. In the afternoons while my brothers and I would play, my mom would sit at the kitchen table or on our porch with a glass of Diet Coke and a romance novel or an Agatha Christie novel.  We had a bookcase in our playroom packed full with books and I had another one in my bedroom filled with books too. In the summer, we would go once a week to the local public library to check out books. Books were everywhere. I love books. Here are the ones that stuck with me: Misty of Chincoteague  The Black Stallion   The Saddle Club Series   Harry Potter   The stories drew me in and captured my imagination.   Ride the River  and The Sacketts  By Louis L'Amour These ignited my love for westerns.  Last but not least:  The Flame and the Flower  by Kathleen Woodiwiss   My mom had a huge box of romance paperbacks that she read. There were lots of Harlequins and The Flame and the Flower. I "stole" it and read it. I have been hooked on romances ever since.   What about you? I hope your June is great! Hugs, Allie 

 

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the May 7 posting of the IWSG are Feather Stone, Janet Alcorn, Rebecca Douglass, Jemima Pett, and Pat Garcia!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional!

May 7 question - Some common fears writers share are rejection, failure, success, and lack of talent or ability. What are your greatest fears as a writer? How do you manage them?

Yikes! This is a tough one. I have two fears/insecurities.

One is that my writing isn't good enough and the world doesn't need my stories. I'm not really sure if what I am doing to combat it is correct. I am just plugging along with my writing, because I enjoy it. I try to read craft books and fiction books and get feedback from others. 

The other is a mindset thing. I'm not sure how to market my writing. Do I want to make money from it? That would be nice. 

But.

I'm a minimalist in life and trying to buck the consumerism mentality. So I try not to purchase unnecessary items. For example, I check out a lot of books from the library instead of buying. I'm not sure how to merge the two. 

I know lots of people don't feel that way. But I feel icky trying to sell my books to others. Or maybe I haven't found the best way for me to market?

Do you have any advice?

Hugs,

Allie

 

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.   
  Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG. The awesome co-hosts for the April 2 posting of the IWSG are Jennifer Lane, L Diane Wolfe, Jenni Enzor, and Natalie Aguirre!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional April 2 question - What fantasy character would you like to fight, go on a quest with, or have a beer/glass of wine with?  What a fun question! I think that I would like to have a coffee or a tea with Mona from The Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher. I could sit at the counter and listen to her stories of saving the Duchess while eating delicious baked goods. It could be pastries, sweet rolls, or even bread and butter. I like carbs and coffee and who else to hang with than a magical baker? Who would you want to hang out with? How has things been with you? Springtime is when things get really busy for equine vets. So I haven't had the energy to do as much reading or writing as I would like. But I'm still hanging in there.  How do you find time to write? Currently, I'm waking up early and writing in bed so as not to wake the littles. We'll see how long that lasts for.  

Libby is a cowgirl and once a year she takes her ranch horse to the local rodeo to run barrels. Barrel racing is where the cowgirl rides her horse in a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels. Whoever has the fastest time and doesn’t knock any barrels over wins. Libby took her horse for fun.

Here is a video of Round 1 at the NFR to get an idea. Most cowgirls at the local rodeos aren’t running that fast. 

Libby clicked her tongue at her gelding and led him up the ramp into her horse trailer. The big bay gelding blew out a sigh and followed her on to the trailer. The sky grew dark and the stars twinkled in the distance.
 

“You did really good tonight, Simon.” She tied his lead rope to the ring in the front of the trailer. “I know barrel racing isn’t your thing.”
 

Simon stomped a black leg and tossed his head.
 

She laughed. “You’d rather be working back home on the ranch.” Simon pawed the ground again. “Don’t worry. You won’t have to chase barrels again until next year.”
 

He nudged her in the arm before turning to his hay. Libby secured the bar behind him and exited the trailer. She closed the ramp, making sure all the wiring was working before climbing into the driver’s side of her ancient ranch truck.
 

“Please start tonight.” She inserted the key into the ignition and twisted. Some lights flashed on her dashboard and then nothing. “Come on.” She tried again.
 

Still nothing.
 

She reached down and popped the hood.
 

She was staring at the battery terminals when a familiar voice said,“Hi Libby, what’s going on?” Zeke, her older brother’s best friend, stood next to her.
 

Libby sucked in a breath as her cheeks heated. Tonight wasn’t a night she wanted to see Zeke. She had crush on him for years and he was the best mechanic in town. Oh why, did her beater of a truck have to act up tonight? She gave him a wobbly smile. “I put the key in and nothing happens.”
 

“Hmmm.” Zeke leaned into the engine. “Try the key again.”
 

Libby twisted the key in the ignition.
 

Nothing.
 

She felt tears stinging in her eyes. She was alone and she just wanted to get safely home.
 

“It looks like it is your alternator. It isn’t charging your battery. I could probably jump you but I don’t want you driving it with a horse in the trailer.” Zeke wiped his hands on his pants.
 

Tears leaked out of the corners of Libby’s eyes. This was bad.
 

“Hey,don’t cry.” Zeke wrapped her in a hug, his hand rubbing circles on her back. “You know I don’t do good with your tears.”
 

She leaned back in the embrace to give him a watery smile. “Sorry.”
 

“No need.” His expression was gentle as he brushed her tears away with his thumb.
 

Her skin tingled under his touch and her heart raced. Why wouldn’t this man fall for her? She watched him date all sorts of women, but he never asked her out.
 

“Do you want me to call anyone to come pick you up?” He dug his cell phone out of the pocket of his jeans.
 

Libby shook her head. “No. They are all out of state at that big cattle sale. I don’t know what to do.”
 

Zeke slammed the hood shut. “I’ll take you home. I’ve got an empty slot in my trailer.”
 

“You don’t mind?”
 

He smiled at her. “Never.” He walked to the back of her trailer. “You brought Simon?”
 

Libby nodded.
 

“Good. He gets along with my gelding. I’ll take care of your truck in the morning.”
 

A few minutes later, Simon was loaded into Zeke’s trailer and they were heading to Libby’s family ranch. Awkward silence filled the cab for the first few minutes of the drive. Libby wracked her brain to think of a topic of conversation, but ended up frustrated that she couldn’t come up with anything.
 

A country song came on the radio. She reached for the volume knob the same time Zeke did. Their finger tips brushed and Libby blushed in the darkness of the cab.
 

“I love this song,” she said, looking at the toes of her boots.
 

“I do, too.” Zeke smiled at her when she glanced his way.
 

After that, the rest of the drive was filled with lively conversation. They had known each other forever. This was the first time they had been together without her brother.
 

The drive was over before Libby knew it. Her face fell when she realized that Zeke had pulled into her driveway.
 

“Thank you for giving me a ride home,” she said as he turned his truck and trailer around. Her hand rested on the door handle waiting for him to put his truck into park.
 

“My pleasure.” He slid his truck into park. “Let me help you get Simon out of the trailer.”
 

He opened the back of the trailer. Libby ducked in and backed Simon out. Zeke closed the trailer.
 

“Thanks again.” Libby twisted the end of her lead rope in her hands.
 

Zeke removed his cowboy hat and ran his hand through his hair. “Um, I had a nice time driving you home.”
 

“I had a nice time, too.” Libby’s skin heated.
 

“I was wondering if…I could take you out for dinner sometime.”
 

“Really? I’d love that.” Inside, Libby was jumping for joy. He finally asked her out. She couldn’t believe it.
 

“Great. I’ll text you tomorrow.” Zeke leaned toward her.
 

Simon pushed Libby with his head in the middle of her back, throwing her forward into Zeke’s arms.
 

He smiled down on her. “Looks like Simon has an opinion.”
 

“He always does.” Libby wrapped her arms around Zeke’s neck.
 

“Wouldn’t want to disappoint the old boy, now would we?” Zeke lowered his lips to inches from hers.
 

Her breath caught and her heart pounded. This was it. The moment she had been waiting for. She shook her head before closing the distance between her lips and Zeke’s.
 

The kiss was everything she dreamed of and more.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
The awesome co-hosts for the March 5 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse Van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, and Liza @ Middle Passages!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional!

March 5 question - If for one day you could be anyone or *thing* in the world, what would it be? Describe, tell why, and any themes, goals, or values they/it inspire in you.   First off, I want to apologize for missing last month. For some reason, I thought that it was the second Wednesday of the month. It wasn't. If I could be anyone for one day, I'd like to be my dog, Tank. He spends his day sleeping on the couch, barking at the neighbor's chickens, getting food offerings from the little kids, and then he gets to sleep on the bed at night. I guess the theme is rest and relaxation. I don't feel like I get to do that much right now and having a day where I don't have any responsibilities sounds wonderful. I did have two wins this week. The first is that I made myself attend a local writers group. They were really nice and friendly. I can't believe it took me so long to get the nerve up to go. The other win was that I got Scrivener to work on my computer. I switched from Windows to Linux a while ago because my computer was having troubles with the Windows upgrades. I hate planned obsolescence, anyway. So I took it to the local computer shop and they put in Linux. I really like Linux except I couldn't have Scrivener and OneNote. I was procrastinating and came across a post in the Literature and Latte Forums about a beta version for Linux. It works well. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles but it was super easy to install for a non-techie person. (As for OneNote, I'm trying Obsidian but I'm not sold yet.) What were your wins this week?