How Does My Family Put Up With Me?

It was eight years ago when I took my husband up on his suggestion that he now, no doubt, regrets. 

He said, “When you’re not working, you have your nose stuck in a book. Why don’t you write one yourself?” 

I thought, “Sure. Why not? I’ll give it a try.” 

The initial draft of my first book was completed three years later. And the reason it took so long is because I had no idea what the hell I was doing. Thank God for online writing groups and low-cost classes.

Every moment I wasn’t engaged with my family (which was anytime I wasn’t personally involved in whatever was happening), they would find me in one of my two son’s bedrooms. I didn’t have a computer of my own, but we made sure the spawn each had one. 

Flash drives are this writer’s best friend, next to gin and tonic. If seclusion were an option for me, I’d add that, too. However, I’ve found the dispensing of the Evil Eye, along with a pissed-off hiss, often did the trick when disturbed in the midst of creative genius.

I don’t know how my husband and two boys put up with me. 

Five years later, I’m still cranking out stories, taking the Hub's suggestion to heart. I finally earned my own laptop and moved my writing location to where it’s centralized and I can keep an eye on things.  

“I said, 'write one book', not an entire series…or three.” ß Oh come on, babe! Where’s the fun in that?

If you’re gonna do it, go big! Right?

An office of my own would be ideal. 
But I’ll have to write a few more books before that happens.

Cass Alexander - Cover Real - Working With It

WORKING WITH IT

The Persimmon Series, Book 3

by Cass Alexander

Five of My Favorite Things

It’s been a while since I’ve written a personal blog post and I thought I might try to get back into it again. The trouble I have is coming up with interesting topics to write about. 

Someone asked me the other day what a few of my favorite things were.

Botta-bing!

Blog Post Subject!

Five of Sheri’s Favorite Things

One: My family

You might think, “Well, duh! That goes without saying.” And you’d be right. Truly, I love spending time with the Cowboy and two Spawn. They keep me in stitches and on my toes.

Two: Zoe

This little dog, she's a Rat Terrier, has brought me more hours of joy than a weekend of Comedy Central. Her two favorite words: Kill and Squirrel. ‘Nuff said.

Three: A Beach

Something about the crash of waves, warm sand and sun, a beach chair and the smell of Coppertone brings a smile to my face and relaxation to my mood. I grew up across the street from the surf and after my family moved into town, I spent every free summer day back at the beach tanning my hide.

 Four: Horses

 

When combined with One and Three, number Four is a damn fine time! On my tenth Christmas, my parents surprised me with a horse. Although, it wasn’t a surprise, really. I’d asked for a horse EVERY DAY since I’d turned five-years-old. Other than my time in college, I’ve always had a horse since.

 Five: Writing

I started journaling when I was young, writing my feelings down about a boy I liked or how awful I thought my mother treated me. The usual young girl thoughts. Those early days of literary noodling led to a love of writing, which grew into what I have today. The escape I find in creating stories and characters is the same as what I find when reading a good book!

Question:

If you could pick a few of your favorite items to share, what would they be?