There are times like today, and well my day off on a Monday too, where I wish I could pause time just for a bit. I never seem to get very far with my plans. Its like I sit down, look at the clock and before I know it, two or more hours have passed, so not fair.

Today I got in, made my lunch, put some washing on, washed up, having to the boil the kettle as we ran out of gas and new bottles are coming tomorrow. Why did I not order them on Monday, oh yeah I was on here updating and going through Push with a friend. Which I am happy to say that went well and I have a plan of action, thank you Darcy. And even though we were nervous of doing a video chat via Facebook, it was really good. Two hours we chatted like that, awesome or what.

Back on topic and not wanting to bore you, but I already have one hour before the school run time. What do I have time to do, not much, but I will take a look at what I can work on tomorrow and at the weekend.

I think I will be using my speech program to read the novel back to me, don't want any more wrong words. 

My other plan is to find out what a street team is, and what they do, and if I have to pay for one. If you know, and would like to let me know, great, or you are one, and looking to add a Romance Author or YA, New Adult and Adult novels, let me know would love to chat about my options.

Sarah.

That is it, half-term is over. And what did I get done, not much, but on the up side today is my day off. So I have a whole, well a few hours left now, to myself, no kids, partner, the telly is off, I have a hot cup of tea and silence. Heaven.

What to do with the few hours I have left before they return, well I plans to update my blogs (hello blog) and my review page, my website and then I will edit, either book 2, or Push. Maybe if time allows a chapter of each, or more...thanks for reading my ramblings, feel free to let me know what your plans are today, and feel free to comment on any of my posts.

Thanks, Sarah.

Half term has already slipped past me, I cannot believe the kids are back to school Monday. I felt like I have got nothing done at all. 

Okay I have made a decision to work on a few projects. I will work on a few shorts here and there, and of course Push, after book 2 has had another round of edits.

With that in mind I want to work on things for Push that a friend suggested, and she is very right, that I can do so much more with it than just what I have so far. If it takes me longer to get it out there so be it. I want it to be right. I will of course be looking for beta readers nearer the time.

As for book 2 of Dream World, I am hoping that the editing stage does not take as long as last time. I want it perfect, as perfect as I can get it. 

And if you fancy grabbing a copy of book 1 while you wait, I would love to hear your thoughts on it.

Losing a parent is hard to cope with, but Debbie Conway does it the only way she knows how, slipping into her daydreams to be with Joshua Lawson. Check out Dream World, by S.J.Hitchcock to follow her journey.

Ebook:
http://getbook.at/Dreamworld1

Something I decided to do, and thought to myself, hey I should, after all, I am as much as a reader as I am a writer. And my opinion counts too, right?

So after thinking about it I decided that I would create a review page here, on weebly, a reivew blog. I have a huge TBR pile and will be adding reviews up until I am up to the current book I am reading.

Add you own review to mine, or your thoughts in general, please feel free to do so.

Pop over and take a look....http://bookworm1977.weebly.com/

(This is a snippet of a short story I am working on called Well Played, I will be editing this again soon and plan to add it to a collection of short YA romance stories.)

Early was an understatement, five o’clock I was rudely awoken. My mother sat perched on the end of my bed, once again attempting to make me wear the jeans or that dress, do my hair, and even apply make-up.

“No boy will like you like this.”

“Hang on, yesterday you thought I was up to no good with boys, and today no boys will like me like this.”

“Oh hush; I know what you get up to really. Come on, let me help you.”

“I don’t want help; I like my look, Mum just drop it.”

“Fine,” she snapped, stood and walked towards the door. “Get up, get dressed, and help me finish the last of the cakes. I had to bake more, as one of the women who was meant to do some, let us down.”

“Oh, you want me to help decorate them?” I looked at her, was she serious, she never allowed me to ice cakes, as they were never up to her high standards.  

“You can add the sprinkles, even you cannot mess that up.”

Mess up. That was all I seemed to do in her eyes. She left the room, as I made my bed, changed into clean clothes, brushed my hair, fixing it into a ponytail. I then cleaned my teeth and made my way down to the kitchen. My mother was already there, mixing more batter.

“How many more are you making?”

“Two more batches that should do it.”

“So what do you need me to do?”

“Wash your hands, and put on an apron. You can decorate them; I have made one to show you how.”

I did as I was asked, looking at the cake, it did not look too complicated. Just add two decorations to the already iced cake. She informed me to hurry before the icing set. I added the decorations and soon came to the last one, the clock now read six.

“I’m done, what can I do now?”

“Can I trust you to ice them?”

I shrugged, I had never been allowed to spend time in the kitchen, let alone ice any cakes. Of course, my mother showed me how, and let me do two with her watching. She said, they would do, and allowed me to carry on. I would not admit it to her, but I actually enjoyed it. I had decorated sixty cupcakes, when she declared we were done, and that it was time to fill the car.

Another hour had passed since I entered the kitchen. The fete started at ten, another three hours or more away. Why we were leaving so early I had no idea.

I asked that very question.

“Because, we have to set everything up, not just our stall, the others too.”

“Just you and me?”

“No, your Dad, Lewis, and a few others, but there is a lot to do, so come on, get your shoes on.”

A lot to do, she was not kidding, it seemed I was not the only daughter that had been dragged here at this early hour. Amy and Sally were here too.

“You too,” Amy said, handing me a metal pole.

“Yeah, I have been up since five, I’m so tired, already.”

“Yeah, Mum woke me at six. Are you running a stall?”

“Yeah, you?”

“No way, it was on the understanding if I helped out with this, I did not have to do one.”

I sighed, helping fix the stall together, adding the material to it.

“I wish I had tried that one, but you know my mother.”

“We do, and besides, Imogen, there will be boys here.”

“Boys, girls is that all you think about?”

“Yeah,” Amy and Sally said in unison.

I rolled my eyes, that was true, they dressed to attract boys, and they were always looking for the next boy to take on that role. I liked boys, but not like that, as friends. Besides, there far too many adventures to be had. I had plenty of time for all that.

The girls informed me they would see me later, was it me, or was my best friends slowly leaving me behind. I should have seen it coming. It was my own fault for not following the same route as them, but I did not want to be told what to wear or how to look. Lewis interrupted my thoughts, informing me I needed to set up the cake stall. He offered to help me.

 “Where is Mum?” I had not seen her for the past half an hour.

“Sorting out the petty cash.”

“Oh okay, thanks, for the offer, but I am sure, Mum wants you to do other stuff, am I right?”

He nodded.

“Don’t worry about it; I am sure I can work some kind of magic on it.”

He nodded. “Well you are a girl after all.”

“I am!”

He smiled, nodding. “Didn’t you know.” Cocking his head to one side, he continued, mocking our mother. “You could be pretty if you tried.”

I playfully punched him on the arm.

“For a girl, damn you hit hard.”

“Sorry,” I said, not sure if he was mocking me or not.

“I hate to say it, but Mum is right, you know.”

“What do you mean?”

“Dressing like a dude, is all very well, but are you going to dress like that forever, why not find your own style.”

“This is my style!”

“Really, my hand downs.”

“Nothing wrong with that, some stuff is new, I just hate seeing them go to waste. If I was your brother it would not be an issue right.”

“No, I guess not, tell you what, I dare you to dress like a girl for one day.”

“You dare me?”

“Yes, not today, but a day I choose, you have to dress like a girl.”

I looked at him, he was serious.

“Maybe, but I have to think of a dare for you.”

“For me?”

“If I am going to have to this, I want to get something out of it too.”

After some thoughts I have decided that doing the charity book for Mothers day will not be possible. With edits still under way for book 2 and my middle son ill, I have not managed to get anywhere with that. So it is with regret that I have decided not to take part.

As for other news, I will be after book 2 is released, be putting together some collections of my short stories I have, one for each genre, YA, New Adult and Adult romance. I have no idea when I will be able to get this done, but its on my list of to do things. I may do these on my own, and see how they go. As for book 2, I really hope to get it ready for the end of March, early April. Of course that means getting this round of edit done, and then one more round before I send to my beta readers.

So what do you guys think of my plan?

With the decision to edit Push after book 2 has been finished editing. I have also decided that when I am not on my computer to handwrite book 3 of the Dream World series. With the children at home for a week, I doubt I will get much time on the computer. So handwriting it is a great option. I will then use my Dragon program to type it up.

I also have a few days to try and come up with a plot for a story of up to 10,000 words for another charity book, due out Mother's day.  I will be writing the outline this week. Hoping that I can take part in this book. As all proceeds will go to Guthy-Jackson Foundation- a charity established for research and awareness of autoimmune diseases. NMO is the focus of that foundation, as a mother started it for her daughter who has that disease, but their work has benefited all AI causes. (taken from the email that the lady sent me who is organising this.)


I really hope to take part, and I may have to pop a few ideas down and share them with you, unless one just jumps out at me.


I will leave you now, as I have plans today to tackle a large pile of ironing that if I don't do it soon, will be as tall as me. Or more likely grow legs and walk away. Then again, if it does that, no more ironing....or maybe magic fairies will visit and it will magically get done.

I have not managed much writing today, unless you count updating my blog and sending an email to have my novel added to the school newsletter.

I had planned to try and edit at least one more chapter. I blame the headache I also have. I am hoping it will leave me before Zumba tonight.

I am looking forward to having a week off work, of course it won't be all about editing or writing as my children will be home. Which means sharing the computer. So will have to write or edit when I can pencil myself in. Wishing I had my own room, and computer. This computer was meant to be mine only, but due to the laptop dying, I now have time-share it.

I wish some days I could stop time, work on things that need to be done. Housework, washing, and of course the dreaded pile of ironing. All these things need to be done. I will make a point of doing some of these before I work on a few project. I am sure Push will work out how I want it to and I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did, writing it.

I just thought I would share you something I started to hopefully tone and lose weight. I have always struggled on and off with my weight. Having four children has taken its toll. I always start a diet, but never really manage more than a few weeks.

So now, I am making a huge effort, and taking classes. A full on hour of exercise. And that is Zumba, and for the first time I have found something I love and cannot wait to go. I may still not be as fit as I could be, but I am getting there.

Oh I have brought so many pieces of equipment to use, and they end up having clothes thrown on them. I have vowed no more, and yes I will still eat some of the things I really like, but this is it, I want to be thinner, fitter, and I will do it.

So to make me challenge myself, and I apologise if I bore some of you guys, but I will once a week I will post a little about my progress. If I am brave enough maybe even pictures of my progress, who wants to join me? Share your success stories.... 

Maybe I left it to late, with valentines day fast approaching, but I have been advised not to publish short stories by a talented author friend. My issue is, would a collection of shorts be better, or worse?

I have heard they sell well, and have seen that shorts sell and that some do very well with them. I would not have any of them as links to novels, they would be stand alone stories. So a reader would not have to buy the next part to the story.

A collection of YA, Adult or New Adult shorts, should I, shouldn't I?

I am really confused on what to do. Of course they would need to be edited, I have a few I could work on for this.  Any advice....