Hey Kids,
Christmas season has crept past me.
For the past month, my life has been a little crazy so I think I get a little understanding. But now I’m looking at the 22nd of December and realize that it’s time to get ready.
On one hand, it’s a little bit late. But on the other hand, late for what?
Day 302
So I thought I would take Saturdays and use them as updates to where I am in the writing/publishing process. I know boring stuff, but I get asked every once in a while so why not.
I am still struggling along in the edits of the second book the OPR series currently titled Cursing Black’s Gold. I just can’t seem to get it just right. I’m very pleased with the ending, but the middle part needs some work. After attending a writer’s conference, I did get some insights in what was stalling my progress. I refocused and things seem to be moving now just a bit. By next week I hope to have more progress and maybe an estimate on the publish date.
Ain’t Dead Yet continues to sell at a slow but steady pace in the kindle store. The most common thing I do hear from those who talk to me about the book is “When is the next one out?” (see above). It’s a nice thing to hear.
Under the category of “Pay more attention to your reports”, I learn upon reading a few of those reports that Twice the Christmas during the December special, was down loaded in Great Britain, Denmark, and Italy. I think that’s rather cool.
I can’t wait to get started on the finishing touches of this year’s Christmas story. I won’t talk much of it right now, but it is waiting for me as soon as Porter II is done. I’ll shed more light on the story once I get back to work on it. The working title is The Biggest Little Christmas in the World. Some out there might recognize the origin of that tag line. And yup, it has to do with there.
OK. That’s it for now. Stay tuned for more riveting writing news next week.
mmj
After all the presents are opened and the day has moved past the night
The day after Christmas and all its mess begins at the first break of light.
The tree now looks so lonely and bare, the presents guarded now gone.
Ornaments not quite so cute, the lights not so bright; if we turn them on.
Space in the living room is at a premium, how long to keep this stuff?
The wreathes, the knick knacks, the little displays. Enough is enough!
Tradition states, we recall, that all must remain at least to New Years Day.
It’s a whole ‘nother week and then, the work begins to put it all away.
Each year I swear as I pack up each and every Christmas Decoration box
I won’t do it again next year, no I won’t, I don’t like it, “not even with a fox”.
Not a light to hang, not a Santa to play, not even a ribbon or bow
Next year, I’m not even going to hang any advantageous Mistletoe.
But the year rolls on and the seasons change and while I eating the Bird
I get excited to go outside and decorate, to light my little part of the world.
Oh the Season is the Season and I can’t help but to play and participate.
I think, however, I need to remember, It’s only the Day After that I hate
Christmas, for me, is all about tonight and early tomorrow morning. The culmination of all the festivities, the lights, the trees, the goodies, the songs, and the whole crazy month of December and then some, bringing us to the one night when we all get together, make the phone calls, and think of those who are dear to us. The family and friends gathered together in a family room, exchanging gifts and sharing a joyful time is what it’s all about. Yes there are rough patches in getting so much family together, but there always is. On Christmas Eve, it’s just fun.
I know Jesus fits in the middle of this as Christmas, remembering the greatest gift of God to us all. It saddens me, however, when that thought is used as a stick to make people guilty to be excited about the candy n the stocking and the gift shopping and wrapping. Let’s be honest, most of the things we deem “tradional Christmas” has absolutely nothing to do with Luke 2.
Don’t get me wrong, I love taking my own personal moments, usually during a rendition of “Oh Holy Night” and think of the bigger picture. Of Grace. Of miracles. Of God. I cherish those moments. But Tonight, its about the presents. It’s about the ones around me. It’s about thinking of those who are not. It’s a time to laugh together. To hug. To kiss under the pagan mistletoe and feel and share the love of others.
Jesus is invited too. But not at the exclusion of everything else. It doesn’t have to be a black and white thing. Christmas is a time for all of it.
With that Have a very Merry Christmas Eve!
I don’t have much. But I do, through Amazon, have the ability to make my Kindle book “Twice the Christmas” available for free through the Christmas days ahead. It’s my gift to anyone who would like it. You don’t need a kindle to read it, just the desire to accept a gift.
If you enjoy it (or don’t) I would greatly appreciate a review of whether you think. Or don’t. There’s no strings attached. I will not receive any royalties, emails, names, etc.
I don’t have much, but I can still wish a Merry Christmas to anyone who would like to hear it.
Merry Christmas!
It officially Christmas Season now that Thanksgiving is over and it’s December. No one can really argue anymore. No more complaining about Carols on the radio, at least about being played out of season. Christmas displays in the store are now acceptable, lights on houses are safe from mocking, and Christmas Tree Stands are relatively free from being blamed as being too early to be fire hazards.
I love the Christmas season.
I’m broke as hell. I have no real contact with my children (their choice, not mine), Nothing is different for me from last month. I have no more money or things and expect to gain no more from this season. But I love it.
It’s one month where ordinary things are made pretty. Lights make the nights bright, and my reflections turn to a hope of a better world than it was just a few days before.
I love wising people Merry Christmas. A great reason to openly wish others good will. I love watching the excitement of others, both giving and receiving. Any joy added to the collective mood of the world is welcomed to me.
Enjoy the season with me. Enjoy what you have and what you have. Don’t get caught up in what material things you wish you had. But don’t be afraid to hope or things that would truly make you happy. I pray to a Superior Being that I hope only will grant those things that help and not hurt.
I pray that I get to see my kids again, to hold just one of my kids again and to feel them hug me back.
I pray this world moves towards being like the place I see my world becomes this month.
I pray that people find their light of hope in the dark places of their life.
I pray we all find something for which to smile and maybe even laugh.
I pray we all experience a Merry Christmas Season.
This might start out like sounding like complaining but please keep I mind that it is not. I am doing what I love and have enjoyed most, if not all (no, most) of my time doing it.
I have been preoccupied with readying the books Twice the Christmas and Ain’t Dead Yet for print. I learned a lot of formatting, font setting , and even a little cover art techniques in the process. I’m very proud of the finish products, as they become available. Twice the Christmas is now ready, I am proofing Ain’t Dead Yet now but it’ll be out soon as well.
I’m doing what I truly enjoy. I had envisioned writing, had done some writing int he pas, a lot really. But as I immerse myself deeper into the workings of bookmaking, I feel like I fall deeper into that groove of life that I sought.
They say if you never want to work another day in your life, do something that you love. I have my day job, and I have writing. One goes by slowly, the other I never seem to have enough time to do as much as I want. Want to guess which one is which?
Find your passion. Then do it.
I did and I’m loving it!
Mike M Jensen 