Is anyone else looking forward to cool, crisp fall days? I'm from Michigan so these hot summer days don't sit well with me. Sure Virginia summer is a thousand times better than a Louisiana one, but I'm done with this heat none the less and it's still only July!

Also it feels like a never ending task of keeping bored kids occupied, cleaning up after them and trying to still find inspiration to write. Okay enough whining!

With the following month brings some more changes for me. I've decided to opt out of KDP Select on Amazon.

I won't be able to offer free days anymore. However, not being part of KDP Select will allow me to be able to offer my book through other venues. Such as Barnes and Noble, smashwords, kobo etc... My last day in the Select program is August 9th, I will post updates as the book is available through other sites after that.

The other update is a reminder of my book giveaway on Goodreads. There are ten signed copies available and the drawing will take place on August 3rd. If you haven't already entered, be sure to sign up here.

Sorry about the silence once again these past few weeks. I've been busy with writing book 2 of Cierstos Chronicles and I'm almost halfway through the first rough draft. Settling into a new writing pattern with kids home from school has been a challenge, but I've finally adapted and the ideas are flowing once again. I've also been making notes for three other book ideas for the future.

To make up for not posting in a while here's a nice, short scene of Kathair from Monsoon Reign.

She enjoyed the walk in spite of the chill. She loved taking the side trails to the center of town. A canopy of trees enveloped the pathways, skeletal bare branches with pale, grey skies as a backdrop. The wind rushed through the empty boughs to play a peaceful song as her feet crunched along on the dead leaves to the beat. A few more weeks would bring spring, small buds forming on the lifeless branches and the chirps of birds adding their music into the song. She hoped she would still be allowed to make her daily treks back and forth when the time came, and she wouldn’t be too large or uncomfortable to enjoy it.

Happy Saturday

My newly refinished desk is already proving its worth this beautiful Saturday. I'm feeling more creative, busily typing away at book two. Even worked on some interior imaging for chapter headings. While my youngest is free to "quietly" create to her hearts content.

By the way, here is the image I've come up with so far for my chapter headers.

Flash Fiction

So I received an invite last week to participate in the Indie book of the day Flash fiction writing contest. There were five categories (Romance, Thriller, Fantasy, Non-fiction and Children's). It was so much fun trying to write something meaningful within the word limit that I ended up submitting to all five categories. While I didn't win, I did get two honorable mentions. Which is still a win to me. It was fun and feels good to place.

Here are the two pieces I placed with.
This first one was for fantasy:

Humans by Author R.C. Fettig

He’d thought they were a Fantasian myth, meant to scare the younger ones. The creatures would use his stomach to carry water, skin for covering and bones for weapons. He wanted to learn more, but instead incinerated them and burrowed underground to warn others.

This one was for Children's poetry:

Courageous Max by Author R.C. Fettig

I’m brave like my daddy.

At least that’s what mommy says.

We’re like super heroes

But in different ways.

Daddy protects our country

I take care of mommy.

That way while he’s gone

He won’t have to worry.

Here is my prize :)

I highly recommend going to the Indie book of the Day to read the winning entries and other honorable mentions. Very impressive work and I enjoyed reading them all.

In between writing this week I've been working on scraping off the old peeling wood on my desk drawers. I couldn't decide exactly how I would refinish the desk. So I took a break and we brought the kids to the lake for some fun. I glanced down at my beautiful tattoo :) and inspiration struck.

In case you missed it this is the before image of my desk. This is how it pretty much looked as of yesterday, only worse because I'd been scraping off the top coat.

This is now. I painted the entire frame with Chalkboard paint and used decoupage to cover the drawer fronts with sheet music.

But to make it a little more personal this was the actual sheet music I used in rehearsals for a cabaret I participated in while living in Arizona. I figured this was a great way to surround myself of wonderful memories of even more wonderful people that I truly miss.

My cozy writing space. Already gathering clutter as I begin to work again. :)

I'm pretty happy with the end product and think it will help fuel my inspiration as I write.

 Sorry to have been absent the past week. Summer is a busy time for our family. Kids demanding to be entertained and all. Plus my oldest moved out of state with the baby, making for an emotional weekend. On the plus side my mom came to visit and we went to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. I thought I'd share some of the nice pictures I took. Enjoy!

Just a little teaser from a chapter of Monsoon Reign

*Warning: This excerpt contains language and violence.*

“I remember it,” she rushed on. “The memory is vague but... Oh, you were there too, weren’t you?”  Recognition made her eyes go wide.

     He looked down at her accusing finger pointed at him as his anger reached a boiling point. Kaid stood up behind her and patted her shoulder while giving Nicholai a smirk. “How wonderful, my little girl is getting her memories back. I can’t wait to hear what else she remembers.” With a tip of his hat he chuckled and let himself out.

     Nicholai locked the door to ensure they wouldn’t be interrupted before he addressed her. Her face was still lit up with a stupid grin, making him despise her more. He would beat the memories out of her if he must. The sooner she realized there was no happiness in this life the better off he’d be.

     “How dare you barge in here and interrupt my meeting!” He stepped closer and looked down at her. Her recoil and wavering smile gave him some satisfaction.

     “I… I was excited and wanted to share my news.” Her fingers twisted together in front of her. “Besides it was only my father, why shouldn’t I be able to see him?”

     He knew better than to believe the bluff. She held no more feelings for Kaid then he did for her. What a conniving little bitch.

     He grabbed her by the font of her neck and slammed her into the wall. “You will never enter my study unless I summon you here.” 

     Her eyes flashed with anger at him for the first time, taking him by surprise. “You know what I think,” she croaked.

     He loosened his grip on her throat, curious to what she had to say. “What do you think?”

     “I think you were there when I almost drowned and I tried to kill myself so I wouldn’t have to marry such an asshole. Too bad I survived.”

     He laughed and allowed a small measure of respect for her. “Too late to grow a spine now, my dear.” He released her neck before striking her face with the back of his hand. “I have no need of a smart ass wife. You’re duty is to lie on your back and let me fuck you until you carry my child. Perhaps after you give birth I’ll let you retire.”

     Boldness drained away, quickly replaced with fear. “That’s better, wife. Now let’s do something about those memories.”