Today it hit

I knew the depression would come. I was expecting it sooner than this. Also I'm furious on top of depressed. The online question editor I used to make my exams insisted on feedback for the questions. It's SHOWING the feedback on the questions. So basically it's giving them the answer and I can't stop it now because some students have already taken these exams. Head desk. There's been too much time invested and the students would have to retake it and the weird thing is they're not getting 100% so I'm just letting it ride.

I feel like crap between allergies and my stomach but at least I know that's what it is and not something more serious.

Well I won't have to worry about if the new bonsai was going to be okay. The winds ripped it right out of the pot and I have no idea where it is now.

( cut for Covid rage and fears )

Writerly Ways

If you want a distraction from the stress out there, can you help me out? I need to write a blurb for my novella. I have this as the long-version blurb. See what you think. Critiques welcome. Thank you.

Santino Bellomi and his work partner, Cam, are sent to Cassadaga, Florida by the Aspida Pneumva, a group of psychics and mages. They have to rescue a nixie from a polluted lake and while they’re there, they decide to check out the town, which is known for its psychics. New recruits to the Aspida are always welcome and where better than a spiritualist town to hunt for them? What Santino hopes for more, however, is to get down with the assignment quickly. He isn’t a fan of heat and humidity and he’d looking forward to going on a well-earned vacation once this mission is over.

Ryan Doyle grew up in Cassadaga, where being a psychic runs in the family. His sister hates that he’s still in town ‘stealing her clients.’ Ryan has never roamed far from home but he had gotten restless lately. It’s hard being a gay, geek, wanna-be urban fantasy author living in small town Florida, many miles from the nearest beach. He does enjoy his job as one of the town psychics even if things are fairly routine. That is until he meets someone new. Ryan has never met anyone with a psychic shield so strong until Santino sits down for a reading. He thought they were potentially pure myth. Intrigued, he asks Santino out even though Santino is as secretive as he is fun.

Santino hopes to win Ryan over both for himself and for the Aspida, which could always use another strong psychic. He’s hoping his skills in the kitchen might just swing the balance in his favor. Ryan has almost given up on love being a gay geek living in rural Florida in a town where most of the population is twice his age, but can a seductive tourist be the answer to his dreams? Things never run smoothly for those in the Aspida. What should have been a simple rescue mission is plagued by mosquitoes, enraged ghosts and someone or something draining residents of their life force. Ryan’s first foray into adventure might be his last.


Writing Links from Betty

The Importance of Secondary Characters in Your Novel

the power of hopeful stories in a stressful time

Plot Your Novel With Mini Arcs

Two Free At-Home Workshops to Keep You Busy During Quarantine

An Editor? Or a Predator? There used to be a site with a name like this but I'm not sure there still is. Definitely used to highlight predator agents

8 Ways Authors are Helping Authors With Books Releasing During COVID-19 Don't be NPR and highlight a freaking pirate site.

Indie Publishing 101– Part III

How To Boil Loads Of Research Down To A First Draft

Writing Tips: 6 Secrets To Becoming A More Productive Writer

Tips to Write Through the Chaos

This Is About More Than Toilet Paper: Some Thoughts on the Coronavirus

Making the Most of Your Narrative Premise

Podcast 267 – Anthropomorphism and Personification

And from around the web
Writing Phone Conversations to Forward Your Plot and Draw Your Characters

The Myth of Perfect Writing Locations by Erica Wright

Is Wattpad Right For You?

Your Book Needs To Be On Amazon, but…

How I Landed An Audiobook Deal: My Self-Publishing Experience Part 7

Nine Ways to Write More Persuasive Marketing Copy