I was going to post about our latest camping adventure. Notice the was. With Pete back on his feet for the most part, we did a September camp in Lancaster. Then this past weekend we were to go to the Poconos for a long weekend with the grandkids. Did you ever notice how you fix one thing and then there's a trickle down? Yeah? Me too. My DH and his friend Larry changed the brakes on the camper. Everything was hunky dory until the test drive where the brakes didn't work. One kind of needs those. Some  sort of electric issue has reared its ugly head so camp was canceled and we're waiting for the expert to come. Was I disappointed? Sure. But instead my family came down and Sunday afternoon we played a game of UNO NO MERCY.  Only one game you ask? The game played for a very long time. We ignored the rule if you have more than 25 cards you're out. Instead we just kept going. I laughed so hard I was exhausted by the end. The game was so much fun. We'll play again, maybe with a double deck. I know, I'm just asking for trouble. Anyway I reccomend UNO No Mercy. 
The Musing.
So, when I was sad about not camping, struggling with my asthma, and generall feeling down I found this parable about a butterfly and wanted to share it with you. In my upcoming A Christmas Storm, Lacy is flat on her back, staring into the sky and crying out, "Why me?" I know I've been there at points in my life. I'll bet you have too.
The parable
A man finds a butterfly struggling to hatch from its cocoon and decides to help by cutting a slit in the cocoon with scissors. The butterfly emerges, but it has a swollen body and shriveled wings. The man expects the butterfly's wings to enlarge and support its body, but the butterfly is unable to fly and spends the rest of its life crawling.
The moral
The moral of the story is that struggles in life help us develop strength and that it's important to tackle challenges on our own. The cocoon and the struggle to get through it are nature's way of forcing fluid from the butterfly's body into its wings, preparing it for flight.

What else is happening around my house? (Pictures below). Well, Hali is getting older, and like a lot of us, her hair is thinning. The girl is chilly, especially her undercarriage, which has always been nearly non-existent. Hoodie to the rescue. Despite her face, she really likes it. 
I'm trying my hand at wood burning, and of course, it has to be owls. What do you think?
​
I also found a bread recipe that we like. It's soft, so good for sandwiches. I have a stand mixer with a dough hook. 
Basically, it's
2 cups of water
1.5  tablespoons of yeast
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
1 tablespoon of salt
3 cups of all-purpose flour
3 cups of whole wheat
Let it rise in a bowl covered until it doubles in size. Then, dump it on the counter, split it in two, and shape the loaves. I make a rectangle and roll it up. I let it rise again for about an hour.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Thank you for stopping by. It's been a busy fall for me. There have been several inperson signings, One book release. One upcoming release. A wedding. A camping trip to Lancaster PA. Check out my cover for A Christmas Storm on my Lake Unami Stories page. I get a breather then I'll be at two places in November. One in Vernon NJ and one in Lafayette. Stay tuned for further information. Now on to today's spotlight.

The Cowboy's Last Chance 
by
​Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy 
October 21, 2024
​Cowboy Romance
www.amazon.com/Cowboys-Last-Chance-Sontheimer-Murphy-ebook/dp/B0DCZWNZCQ
When Vivian Blackburn, recently returned to Southwest Missouri sets out to shoot pictures at a rodeo, she's not looking for a cowboy but when she meets bull rider Calhoun Kelly, she's found one. They have an instant attraction and rapport. They're compatible in every way but one – he has a strong Christian faith and she lost hers after her parents died. When Vivian experiences strange dreams that seem to warn Calhoun of upcoming danger, she doesn't know what to think. Calhoun decides to hang up his spurs at the end of the season but before he does, he and Vivian are married. They decide they'll settle at her grandmother's old farmhouse but not until he rides his last rodeo. When he's critically injured, his life hangs in the balance. Will Vivian find her faith and pray? It's a close call but time will tell.

About the author
From an early age, Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy scribbled stories, inspired by the books she read, the family tales she heard, and even the conversations she overheard at the beauty shop where her grandmother had a weekly standing appointment. She was the little girl who sat at the feet of the elders and listened.
As an author, she has published more than fifty novels and novellas writing as both Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy and as Patrice Wayne for historical fiction. She is also the author of a new Faery Folk series from Evernight Publishing writing as Liathán O'Murchadha. Her books are found in many places, online and in brick and mortar stores including some in both Ireland and Australia. As of October 2022, she currently has six upcoming titles from World Castle Publishing, Evernight Publishing and The Wild Rose Press.
She spent her early career in broadcast radio, interviewing everyone from politicians to major league baseball players and writing ad copy. In those radio years she began to write short stories and articles, some of which found publication. In 1994 she married Roy Murphy and they had three children, all now grown-up. She was widowed in 2019. Lee Ann spent years in the newspaper field as both a journalist and editor and was widowed in 2019.
In late 2020, she hung up her editor’s hat to return to writing fiction. A native of St. Joseph, Missouri, she lives and works in the rugged, mysterious, and beautiful Missouri Ozarks.
leeannsontheimer.blogspot.com/

​Periphery
by
AA Dasliva

Coming from The Wild Rose Press November 20, 2024.
Science Fiction Romance
Military Romance 
​
About the Book
Charlotte barely survived the accident that killed her husband four years ago. Resuscitated a savant, she struggles to find meaning in her survival. When she meets Simon, a mysteriously familiar stranger, they are drawn to each other with undeniable magnetism. But Simon is contracted to a black-ops agency. With the agency on her heels, and Simon claiming her heart, Charlotte's past and future collide when she's offered a chance to reconnect with her late husband. As secrets are revealed, motives uncovered, and alliances are formed, Charlotte must choose...between the fate of the world and the fate of her heart.

D.V.'s Review 🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉
Periphery by AA DaSilva is an edge-of-your-seat read. From the opening scenes, where a crash changes Charlotte’s life, to the final OMG, I was caught up in the story of a woman who is putting her life back together after the tragedy.
Building a career as a nurse, dealing with post-traumatic, previously unknown brilliance in physics, and finding love, Charlotte is coming to terms with her new reality. Until her past appears and the implausible becomes reality.
Twists and turns of who is really who and what Charlotte should believe take place in a world where secret technology has implications not only in this dimension but also in others. Who are the good guys? Who can’t be trusted?
At times, I alternately shouted No! Or Yes! out loud. The bad guys had me wanting to enter into the story and get them myself.
This military, sci-fi romance had me thinking of Michael Crichton and Robin Cook.
I can’t wait for more from this author and highly recommend you read this book.

The Unpredictable Colors of Love 
by
J. Arlene Culiner 
8/23/24
Contemporary Romance, Art, and Nature in an 18th-century French Château

About the story
Callie Patterson, an unsuccessful artist, hopes that a relationship with the irresistible and magnetic Nicholas Trier will pave the way to success. She follows him to France where, in a magnificent château, he holds his artists' retreats. But famous men surround themselves with hangers-on and demand complete loyalty.
Callie soon finds herself far more attracted to Michel Alexandre, the estate gardener, who loves and protects trees and every living creature. But if she wants to make a name for herself, she’ll have to choose Nicholas and his world.
Except nothing is quite the way it seems, and perhaps success isn’t the most important thing, after all.

Get your copy.
books2read.com/u/b6pJMx
books.apple.com/us/book/the-unpredictable-colors-of-love/id6633440769  
us.amazon.com/Unpredictable-Colors-Love-Arlene-Culiner/dp/1509258183
​books2read.com/u/b6pJMx

About the Author.
​Born in New York, raised in Toronto, Jill Culiner set out to have a life of adventure and discovery, not one of security and comfort. She has since crossed much of Europe on foot, travelled, by bus, train, car or truck throughout North and Central America, Europe, and the Sahara, has lived in a Hungarian mud house, a Bavarian castle, a Turkish cave-dwelling, on a Dutch canal, a lonely, and a very haunted stone house on the English moors. Such a lifestyle has meant staying flexible and taking up any sort of work that presents itself: belly dancer, fortune teller, b-girl, translator, fashion model, storyteller, radio broadcaster, actress, social critical artist, photographer, and writer. She now resides in a 400-year-old former inn in a French village of no interest and protects all creatures, especially spiders and snakes. She particularly loves incorporating into short stories, mysteries, narrative non-fiction, and romances, her experiences in out-of-the-way communities with their strange characters, and very odd conversations.
www.j-arleneculiner.com
www.jill-culiner.com
soundcloud.com/j-arlene-culiner

Welcome to my fire. With a fall snap in the air it's certainly time for one. A cup of tea, a good book, and a crackling fire. Maybe in a fire pit, or fireplace. Don't have one of those. Make it a screensaver on your TV or laptop. Here you go, try this one www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFMY5NxXDhw 
I have just a bit of my own horn blowing before we get to today's guest. The Mystery at Starling Mine, an Agent Carter Mystery by yours truly is now available. Grab a copy. It's the perfect Halloween gift for readers young and old.  www.amazon.com/dp/B0D38B4G6G
Now, on to my special guest she's also a fellow glamper and with luck we may see her in person this fall.

Terrabyte  Security
by 
Tena Stetler
This story of missing persons, stolen identities, and international intrigue in a sleepy little town in the Colorado Rockies will keep you on the edge of your seat.
 
About the book. 
A sleepy little town, Aspen Ridge, nestled in the Colorado Rockies, is experiencing major growing pains. As is Candle's adorable pup.
Former CIA agent, Candle Bearclaw’s new security firm, Terrabyte is expanding by leaps and bounds. When her best friend’s husband, a high-profile software entrepreneur, comes up missing, Candle and her husband, Miacoh, also the new chief of police, find themselves knee-deep in international intrigue.
The same day, an Indigenous woman, Molly Reacher, pleads for Candle to take her convoluted case with identity theft overtones. Come to find out, Molly’s friend, a Native American woman, is also missing.
Cayson, an employee of Terrabyte Security is assigned to protect Molly as the company works through the intricacies of her cases.
Law enforcement are supposed to be all over both missing person cases until Miacoh discovers the indigenous woman’s case is nearly invisible. Will either be found alive?
 
Get your copy at one of these retailers. 
Universal Link:  books2read.com/u/3kQGy6
https://www.amazon.com/Terrabyte-Security-Mountain-Town-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0D8L9VHDZ
  www.barnesandnoble.com/w/terrabyte-security-tena-stetler/1145833553
books.apple.com/us/book/terrabyte-security/id6505109847
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215946691-terrabyte-security
https://www.bookbub.com/books/terrabyte-security-mountain-town-mysteries-book-2-by-tena-stetler

A peek between the pages.
​A Native American woman paced in front of Terrabyte Security wringing her hands. The phone calls, strange faces in her windows, and stolen work products had to stop. It was bad enough her professor plagiarized her work, claimed it as his own, stole her identity and emptied her bank accounts, then disappeared off the face of the earth, not to mention blew up the college chemistry lab. Okay, I’m not the only one he victimized. But I’m one of the few that didn’t have a trust fund to fall back on. Oh, this is such a mess. She covered her face with her hands for a moment and took a long cleansing breath, then continued pacing.
Pausing mid-stride, she sensed eyes on her. She whirled around to find three sets of eyes staring at her through the window. The woman she knew as Candle, who’d blown the professor’s scandal wide open, curled an index finger beckoning her into Terrabyte’s office. Her pulse quickened. Her heart nearly beat out of her chest as she wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans. Should I stay, explain myself, and ask for help, or take flight as I have these many months?
Candle circumvented the woman’s choice by stepping out of the door into her path with a reassuring smile. “Can we help you?”
She tugged on her denim jacket, straightened her shoulders, and swallowed hard. “I sure hope so. I’m Molly Malone Reacher.”
Candle extended her hand. “Happy to know you, Molly. I’m Candle Bearclaw. Terrabyte Security is my company. Why don’t we step into the office and talk?” Candle pulled open the door. Miacoh grabbed the edge of the door and held it open.
Molly’s gaze darted around the office as she trudged in behind Candle. She kept her bag held tight against her as her fingers twisted in the strap.
“Have a seat.” Candle motioned to the wooden chair in front of her desk, then glanced at Miacoh and Cayson. She jerked her chin at the tall, black-haired man in uniform. “Miacoh, is the Chief of Police in our little town.” She waved a hand toward the tall, blond Aussie. “Cayson is my investigator, part-time security alarm installer for Terrabyte, and on occasion part-time officer for the Police Department.” Miacoh dragged another chair across the floor and straddled it. Cayson stood behind Miacoh. Terra, the pup, thumped her tail on the floor and attempted to get to her feet as Candle signaled her to stay with a hand gesture. “This is our company mascot soon to be security specialist, Terrabyte.”
She eased down onto the edge of the chair. Her gaze darted from one to the other. “I…I… don’t know where to begin.

About the author.
In Tena’s past lives she’s been a savings and loan branch manager, a paralegal for a criminal law firm, IT Manager for an electrical contracting firm, and now a published writer.  After trying on many hats, she finally found the one that fits the best. Or in other words, she loves making things up to entertain others.  LOL
.  Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure,magic, and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.
Colorado is home; shared with her husband of many moons, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a fifty-year-old box turtle. When she’s not writing, her time is spent kayaking, camping, hiking, biking or just relaxing in the great Colorado outdoors.

Social Media Links: 
Website: https://www.tenastetler.com
Authors’ Secret’s Blog - https://www.tenastetler.com/category/authors-secrets-blog/
My Say What Blog -www.tenastetler.com/category/my-say-what-blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/tenastetler.author
Twitter Page: https://www.twitter.com/TenaStetler 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14187532.Tena_Stetler
Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tenastetler
Newsletter: https://www.tenastetler.com/newsletter-signup/
Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/tenastetler
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tena-stetler
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tenastetler/
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/tenajean2014
BookGorilla - https://www.bookgorilla.com/author/B014E0PEPM/tena-stetler
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tena-stetler-10057978/

Death by Jelly Beans
by
Suzie Black
Release 9/4/14
Cozy Mystery

 “Brings a whole new meaning to the rabbit died.”

About the story.
Mermaid Swimwear President Holly Schlivnik discovers the Bainbridge Department Store Easter Bunny slumped over dead and obnoxious swimwear buyer Sue Ellen Magee is arrested for the crime. Despite her differences with the nasty buyer, Holly is convinced the Queen of Mean didn’t do it. The wise-cracking, irreverent amateur sleuth jumps into action to nail the real killer. But the trail has more twists than a pretzel and more turns than a rollercoaster. And nothing turns out the way Holly thinks it will as she tangles with a clever killer hellbent on revenge. 

Grab a copy today.
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/death-by-jelly-beans-susie-black/1145804565
www.goodreads.com/book/show/212700868-death-by-jelly-bean
https://www.bookbub.com/books/death-by-jelly-beans-holly-swimsuit-mystery-book-5-by-susie-black
https://www.amazon.com/Death-Jelly-Beans-Swimsuit-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0D12LQBXL​​

Nine days from today, my third installment of the Agent Sam Carter Mysteries releases. I had no idea that what began as a request from my then nine-year-old nephew would turn into a three-book series. 
How it all began.
My family and I were attending a Christmas concert at church in December of 2016. During the mid-concert break, my nephew Carter crawled over several laps to get next to me. He plopped down and, with his face in his hands, said, "I hear you write books." Being quite precocious, this statement could go anywhere. I paused a moment and then responded, "Yes, I do. How may I help you?" He sat up straight. "I want you to write a book about me. I want to ride a motorcycle and have a long mustache." The music came back, and our conversation ended. That young man planted a seed, though.
At the time, I was working on other books and getting ready to publish my first, Felice, Shield-Mates of Dar. As the year progressed, I didn't forget what he'd asked.  What began as a lark, never thinking I would publish it, just make a booklet for Carter, became an actual book. I took liberties with family members and situations (the names were changed to protect the innocent and not-so-innocent).
Though the book takes place in the Pacific Northwest, most of the scenes are based on the town of Branchville, NJ. The pictures I used for chapter headings were mostly ones I took or created and then edited and digitized. 
By December, the first Agent Sam Carter book, The Mystery at Branch Lake, was released, and now the third. 
I'm not sure where or when the next mystery will happen. Oh, look, it's a mystery. 
Below are some of the pictures from The Mystery at Branch Lake. 
The second book, The Mystery at High Pointe Tower, actually takes place in New Jersey. I've used local areas that many from Sussex County will be familiar with. Things like Volcano Road, High Point Monument, and the Lusscroft Trail.
Join me next week, and I'll fill you in on The Mystery at Starling Mine

This is me in 20 degree weather with a wind chill of 5 below at the highest point in NJ, The High Point Monument. Yes, I was only wearing a sweatshirt. What an author will do for a photo op, sigh.
If you're interested in any of my Agent Sam Carter Mysteries head on over to 
www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4CBD46Q
The first two are available and Starling Mine releases next week digitally. But here's a big secret you can order the paperback today!
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0785LCHWH
​

About D. V. Stone
D. V. Stone is known for her engaging and captivating storytelling, often weaving elements of romance, fantasy, and adventure into her novels. Her official website, dvstoneauthor.com, serves as a central hub for fans and new readers alike to explore her literary works, learn about upcoming book releases, and gain insights into her creative process. The site typically features detailed book descriptions, author blogs, and exclusive content such as interviews and behind-the-scenes looks at her writing journey. Additionally, visitors can find information on where to purchase her books, sign up for newsletters, and connect with DV Stone on social media. Whether you’re a long-time follower or new to her stories, dvstoneauthor.com offers a comprehensive and inviting space to immerse yourself in the world of DV Stone’s imagination.

Summer is winding down. Some kids have already returned to school and soon others will follow. Many of you know the story behind my Agent Sam Carter series. Well, guess what? The real Agent Carter left for college yesterday. It's hard to believe he's so grown from the time he crawled across laps at a Christmas concert and said, "I want you to write a book about me. I want to ride a motorcycle and have a long mustache." The 3rd installment of Agent Sam Carter releases on September 4, 2024. Here's the pre-order link ​
www.amazon.com/dp/B0D38B4G6G
​And I' d appreciate it if you'd mark it on Goodreads as "want to read' 
www.goodreads.com/book/show/212693850-the-mystery-at-starling-mine
Now on to today's guest and her newest mystery.

Cruel Intentions
by
Alana Lorens
Mystery
Released July 10, 2024

Miami attorney Bet Lenard has had a rough year. She's battling an unknown illness that drives her to drink to cope with her pain. Her lawyer husband has divorced her and taken the best part of their business, their home and their children. On the night of May 16, 1996, Bet finds herself in the Everglades in the middle of the night, drugged, lost and next to a burned car with a dead body in it. Hoping she's hit bottom, Bet must drag herself out of her living hell and discover who tried to kill her. Was it her ex-husband, not satisfied with stealing everything that mattered? An angry client, unhappy with the outcome of their case? Her best friend's husband, livid that Bet's restraining order kicked him out of her life forever? Police officers fuming that Bet helped a client convict a dirty cop who was their friend? She has no idea. As she tries to sort out the motives behind her would-be killer, even more suspects come to light. The only thing keeping Bet sane is her relationship with her therapist, who encourages her to struggle and survive, despite everything that's gone wrong. How will Bet discover the truth and bring her enemy to justice before they strike again and, this time, succeed?
​Amazon
Walmart
Target
BooksAMillion
IndieBound
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Google Books
ITunes

The Story behind the Story.
As a former attorney practicing in Miami and south Dade County, I lived in these neighborhoods and dealt with dangerous situations, both natural and manmade. Many scenes in this book are based on situations I experienced personally–unfortunately not where I made millions of dollars as a criminal defense attorney !The going into labor scene–100% true. 🙂 I still feel badly for that judge.
This book is dedicated to women with chronic illness, who often go years without proper diagnosis, seeing doctors who don’t believe them, and their ongoing fight to educate themselves and those around them. May they have their best lives in the end.

About the author.
Alana Lorens (aka Barbara Mountjoy) has been a published writer for over 45 years, including seven years as a reporter and editor at the South Dade News Leader in Homestead, Florida. Her list of publications includes the non-fiction book 101 Little Instructions for Surviving Your Divorce, published by Impact Publishers in 1999, stories in A Cup of Comfort for Divorced Women, in December 2008, and A Cup of Comfort for Adoptive Parents, in June 2009.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4829967.Alana_Lorens
https://www.amazon.com/Alana-Lorens/e/B005GE0WBC/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/alana-lorens
@AlexanderLyndi
https://www.instagram.com/alexander_lyndi/

​Hi Birdie! Thank you for joining me today. It's been hot hot hot here in New Jersey so I'm going to pour us a nice cold glass of water to keep hydrated. While I do, please introduce yourself to my other guests by telling us something about you. Who are you other than your bio?
I’m the proverbial duck whose feet are frantic underwater, but you only see smooth sailing on the surface. Someone once called me organised, but they’ve never seen my living room. I’ll swim if the water’s warm, eat ice-cream in winter, and cuddle my cat at every opportunity.
I've had others think the same of me. At some things I'm very organized but as you know I can drop the ball occasionally by paddling too fast. FYI to the others, Birdie was supposed to be here last month. So my friend, what interests besides writing do you enjoy?
I love my garden. It’s only a small garden bed, but just the right size. I don’t actually spend a lot of time working on it, but prefer to live amongst it, nudging things every so often and seeing how it grows. I’d love to write a romance set in a garden one day, but for now, I’m working on final touches for The Guy from the Wedding.
Who is your network or support system?
There’s a special quality of connection you can only get from sitting in a room with someone, hearing their unfiltered voice, and observing the quirks of your shared space. Last time I visited you, almost all my support network was online and scattered across timezones. I appreciate them dearly, but still felt lonely and easily distracted from my work. These days, I’m part of a book club, a writing group, and a tiny pod of friends who publish their own books – all local, and all stoking my fire for reading and writing.
You are so correct. I tend to hideaway but when I get to be around authors and readers it sparks so much. Who or what books or authors are your inspiration?
There’s way too many to name, DV! But I can list a few lovely books that I’ve thought about often since first reading them: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree, a cosy fantasy with a dusting of romance. Remember Me by Vida Li Sik, a sweet second chance romance set in Johannesburg, South Africa. And the Sloan Krause cosy mystery series by Ellie Alexander.
How did publishing your first book change your writing process?
Honestly? All it did was signal that I might start thinking about taking this job seriously one day. It wasn’t until The Guy from the Library came out (my third book, currently available for free with my newsletter) that I realised I needed to overhaul my writing process if I wanted to keep doing this. I used to have very unhealthy habits around writing that flip-flopped between anxiously avoidant and workaholic. It meant I’d spend a lot of energy getting in my own head about it, then burning out quickly.
“Library” made me realise that yes, I am capable of writing consistently and sticking to my vision of an enjoyable romance story. From there, I began the gradual process of trial and error, finding the right balance of structure and freedom. The Guy from the Wedding, through its various incarnations during the writing process, gave me many opportunities to put my new habits into practice.
I'm trying to get back into that consistancy mode. What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
I expect to do a lot of research once a draft is underway. There are just too many things you can’t foresee until you’re immersed in the story and characters, you know? The most recent research I did was going to play mini-golf (I think you guys call it putt-putt?) for a scene in The Guy from the Wedding. I just couldn’t picture my characters being there until I’d dined at the café and played through 18 holes with a brightly coloured miniature golf club.
We call it both. And I love cheating when playing against my husband. What was your hardest scene to write?
I hope it’s not crass to say the entirety of The Guy from the Wedding was hard to write.
This book started very differently to how it ended up, despite it being plotted from the start. It’s an enemies to lovers romance, where much of the conflict stems from the characters’ insecurities. This forced me to confront many of my own insecurities in order to write true.
I love the idea that every project should push a writer to up-skill their craft and connect more deeply with their inner selves but, mate, tell ya what … It’s been a wild ride, and I’ll be absolutely elated when the book comes out later this year!
Thank you for sharing that vulnerable side of being an author. What subjects should be taught in school but aren’t?
This could be controversial, but I think financial literacy (aka. how to understand and manage your money) should be a mandatory subject in school. It was an optional class in my high school, despite the subject matter affecting everyone. This issue actually makes a cameo in The Guy from the Wedding: one of the characters doesn’t realise something going awry in their business, and is left with a monstrous debt, which then dovetails into the story.
You can be a very capable and smart person, and still not know what you’re looking at in terms of managing your money, because financial products can be so complex (The Big Short is an excellent film that covers this). So many of us have hidden emotional wounds around money too, and I wonder if better financial literacy can help us work through that kind of trauma, because we’d find ourselves with effective tools for dealing with the triggers.
I think often we are afraid of finances so we tend to ignore them like an ostrich burying its head and then bam, It's too late and we're over our head. What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
My writing group splits the cost of hiring a co-working space once a week. This is a new thing for me. I used to be afraid of spending money on my pursuits until I realised it was because key people in my past convinced me not to, that stuff that was important to me wasn’t worth investing in. That was one of my hidden emotional wounds around money: the feeling that no matter how hard I worked for something, I still didn’t deserve to be valued. That was a lightbulb moment for sure.
So much has come from spending time with creative and encouraging people. They’ve helped me approach my writing more professionally and objectively, stopped me from falling into anxiety and depression when drafts weren’t working, and shown me so many different perspectives from which to view the world. What I’m paying isn’t expensive, but it’s not a negligible amount either, but it really has been worth it.
The Guy from the Wedding by Birdie Song is coming out in Q4. Sign up for Birdie Song’s Newsletter for updates, and for a gift copy of The Guy from the Library, a short and sweet “sudden puppy” romance.

1. The Guy from the Library by Birdie Song

She’s ready for a new chapter.
Andrea trusts books more than boys. After all, they don’t embarrass you or make mean jokes, and they’re certainly clear about their intentions. But Jackson from the library seems genuinely friendly amidst this sudden puppy situation. Is it possible he could be her next chapter?
Sample the world of Somerville Downs with this sweet 'sudden puppy' short story. Available for free with Birdie Song's Newsletter. Get it today.

1. ​
   

​About Birdie Song
Birdie Song is an Asian-Australian writer from Perth, Western Australia on Whadjuk-Noongar country. She pens sweet stories featuring hopeful characters and optimistic endings (spoiler alert!). She believes love is more important than labels, integrity is a person's most attractive quality, and that no one should be judged for putting pineapple on a pizza. When not writing, she tends to a veggie garden and reads a variety of books, hoping to one day understand the meaning of life.
Website: birdiesongauthor.com
Newsletter: birdiesongauthor.com/newsletter
Blog: birdiesongauthor.com/blog
BookBub: bookbub.com/profile/birdie-song

A bit of a twist to today's blog. Have you ever wondered how, what, and where an author gets the words on a page? What are the inspirations? Yes? Well here you go. The story behind the story. Enjoy!