Wednesday, November 2, 2016

NOVEMBER... NANO...ANOTHER YEAR COMING TO AN END...

Hi, All,

Hope everyone is enjoying the FALL.... Here in Chicago we are still in the upper 60's ... strange for this time of year for sure...

As we know this is a SUPER CHARGED month.... NaNo... GOOD luck and all the best who have the courage, dedication, and TALENT to write a novel in a month. I wish I had that kind of dedication. But, as usual, life is just to crazy.

As most of you know this is the first Wednesday of the month and it's time for another meeting of the IWSG...Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh and his November hosts, we have a day scheduled every month to vent our insecurities and find solace in our peers who have many of our same concerns. Please visit the members and find your insecurities dissolve....

This month the question is.... What is your favorite aspect of being a writer?

Tough question. There are so many wonderful amazing aspects of being a writer, but for me, there is one thing that stands out amongst the others.... THIS community. When I was a fledgling writer, many moons ago, I stumbled and fell so many times. This wonderful community of amazingly talented writers helped me hone my craft, supported my dreams, and always had a shoulder for me to lean on. THANK YOU ALL! With each passing year, so many of the writers I have begun my journey with have grown so much and successfully published many fine works. You all should be so proud of yourselves...

Although I am still on my journey, I have faith that IN TIME.... I will find my works published. But I am thankful for the blurbs, illustrations, and book designs that I do have published. One day soon... one day soon... my stories will follow. I am a patient man. 

My insecurities for this month is a simple one and has nothing to do with writing... I have a contract on my loft, BUT the appraisal hasn't been scheduled yet. This is highly unusual especially since it is three weeks into the contract and we are supposed to close within the next few weeks. I am in limbo, I won't rent another apartment, schedule a move, or even pact until I know for certain... UGH! SO any good vibes sent my way would be greatly appreciated. The last thing I want to do is SCRAMBLE around like a deranged maniac, getting all this done in two weeks...

On the positive note, the illustration project I worked on last month has been published! YAY! The title is called GUARDIANS OF ICELAND and OTHER ICELANDIC TALES by HEIDI HERMAN... IF you like Folk tales, you certainly will enjoy these stories...

Here is another sample illustration from the stories...

WISHING ALL of YOU a WONDERFUL DAY!

28 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Michael, that's awesome!
I hope they do the appraisal soon.
This community and those I've met along the journey have been so supportive. I wouldn't have made it otherwise.

Jennifer Hawes said...

Great illustration! Good luck to you on your book and your appraisal. Go Cubbies!!

Chrys Fey said...

Where would we be without the community of writers? IWSG wouldn't exist without it.

I'm sending you all of my good vibes. :)

And amazing illustration. Such detail.

H. R. Sinclair said...

GOOD VIBES COMING AT YA! Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly.

Congrats again on the illustrations, and yeah, I agree with the community part. It's bigger and more supportive than I ever imagined.

S.P. Bowers said...

For such a solitary job it's amazing how important the writing community is. Or maybe because it's such a solitary job.

Natalie Aguirre said...

I'm too busy as usual to do NaNo so you aren't alone. Hope your loft appraisal gets settled soon. I'm sure you want to feel more settled too.

Michelle Wallace said...

Sending a boost of positivity your way, Michael! Hope the appraisal is done soon.
That illustration is BEAUTIFUL!
Happy IWSG Day!

Crystal Collier said...

Sending good vibes AND cheese your way. Here's hoping the contract goes through just fine.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I don't blame you for being stressed about that appraisal. You've gone through so much already when it comes to housing.

Congrats! I love that illustration.

This is a super charged day because the Chicago Cubs are playing tonight in game 7!!! Go Cubs go.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Congrats on the illustration success. Sending vibes your way. Your loft is so great, I'm sure the appraisal will be what you want.

Jen said...

Michael, the illustration is gorgeous! Congratulations on that success! And yes, IN TIME you'll see your stories published. And so will I :) The key is to just keep going and keep pushing forward. Best of luck on your loft and all the good vibes and prayers I can spare headed your way!

Cheers,
Jen

Cathrina Constantine said...

Michael, your loft is fabulous!!! I'm sure you'll get more than expected. Congrats on your phenomenal illustrations!!!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Oooh, lovely illustration - so beautiful!
Congrats on all you've done and what you're going to do next!

dolorah said...

That illustration is awesome. So glad things are going well with the project. Wow, sold the loft already, how incredible. Will be an awesome find for someone.

Are you moving permanently to Florida?

Keep on writing, you will soon get those books published.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Michael - I'm sure it will all come together - your works will be published, you'll utilise your amazing illustrative skills, you'll get some design contracts and life will sort itself out - good vibes all the way over ...

Take care and look after yourself - cheers Hilary

Diane Burton said...

Sending positive thoughts your way, Michael. And your books will find a good home. Hey, if the Cubs can win the World Series, anything is possible. :)

shelly said...

YES. I AGREE. OUR WRITING COMMUNITY IS GREAT!

H. R. Sinclair said...

GO CUBS! :-)

mshatch said...

Really love your artwork! And I do hope the whole selling goes smoothly *fingers crossed*

cleemckenzie said...

I'm so happy to hear your work is published. I really loved your example!

Jemi Fraser said...

Love your illustration! :)
I want to change my IWSG answer because you're so right - this community is beyond incredible!

Unknown said...

I totally agree with you about this community. Our fellow bloggers care so much and are always willing to help. They're priceless. Congrats on having your illustrations out in a book - great work! I hope the loft clears soon and you can move ahead with things. Good luck!

Denise Covey said...

Yes, Michael, you have your priorities right. Was just 'chatting' to Yolanda yesterday about the blogging friends we've made and how precious each one is to us. You, of course, made the list!

I do hope the loft sale goes smoothly. You've certainly been tested in your property buying and selling, but have managed to stay positive throughout, although I know there's been some hard times there!

Today, I finish teaching in Brisbane. Next year I'll do it online from the beach. Win. Win.

We're cleaning up, polishing furniture, washing dust away. Soon those pics will be posted!!

Denise :-)

Denise Covey said...

Oh, sorry. Forgot to say congrats on your fine published illustrations! What a joy that must be! Not many of us could do what you do. (Not that I wouldn't like more time to pursue art, but at the mo', writing takes every minute!

Olga Godim said...

Good luck with your mundane concerns, as well your creative endeavors. Your illustration is awesome. I always wished to be able to paint and draw, but alas. I hope the problem with your loft will be solved soon.

Denise Covey said...

Hi Michael! Three comments! Wow! Came by to tell you if you get a moment to pick up my latest post. I have pictures...not the ones you are waiting for, but the prequel to them!

Julie Flanders said...

Congratulations on Icelandic Tales!!! Love the illustration you shared and I've no doubt all of them are fantastic. How awesome!!
So sorry you are having to deal with more stress over the loft. I hope by the time you are reading this that the appraisal has been done. Take care and best of luck!!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Congrats on your illustration project! Everything has been too crazy for me to do NaNo as well. Good vibes and prayers being sent your way so that everything can be sorted for your loft.