Whumped by the Arctic - Not Bad, Though...
A week of mostly single-digit days and sub-zero nights tested our setup. We passed. And my writing continued - while wearing more layers...
Hi,
Thanks again for being here and opening this. For being part of this community.
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Farming News - Still, it’s all about the arctic temps that swarmed in.
Writing News - Writing/Editing proceeds apace...
Fiction News - The Hooman Saga continues. Sue finds out about Snarl through viewing Tig-She’s dreams.
Expectancy Factor - A quiet week. Another Nightingale essay for you.
And - a bonus down below….
Farming News
Yup. Cold. You can count five visible layers around my head.
Chopping ice has become twice daily. But after two more nights, it will be back to “just” below freezing, and that won’t mean chopping through an inch or two twice daily.
After this Saturday, we’ll be back to our normal Spring weather again. Maybe two jackets, no hoods.
Here’s a tale of two ice choppings:
Both of these get them water. Muddy from the chopping, but able to slake their thirst. The dirt will settle back, given time. All the extra snow we’ve gotten can be used to live off if they have to, but it will require more hay to keep them warm - a trade-off.
The back up is needful for their eventually drinking that other one dry. Well, down to the mud, anyway. These “watering holes” are both culvert run-off pools - from the neighbor’s field on the other side of the road.
Tiny Home News
Having a day with my extended family on her side was great. And this week of being close-quartered wasn’t as bad. Having a few more days ahead is manageable. Except for my 4WD pickup, no one else here wants out on those snow-covered roads — facing frigid temps if there were a breakdown.
The cottage is warm enough through all this. The proof was this morning, when we woke up to -5F temps outside.
Once the weather heats up, I plan to get my second trailer worked up and move my office into it. There’s a third trailer to do after that, but it will more likely be offered as a hunting cabin. It’s got a lot more fix-ups to do.
Writing News
Still working away on that book. Yesterday, I dropped the last quarter as unnecessary to the flow. The book now returns to a mere 200-page paperback.
Each section has its course to get ready - with audio. There are three mini-courses here, with the transcripts in the book. And these individual chapters will probably be posted as podcasts - but I have to dig out a master audio template and update that audio with musical intro’s and outro’s, plus pitches. With some twenty-four lessons total, it’s a bit of a long climb, still.
There’s also another bonus mini-course that may include, already made into videos. But that just adds more to this project. It will more likely be a bonus for the Kickstarter that I need to set up for promotion and marketing.
I’m getting there.
Once I get this book finished, I plan to simply start polishing my backend on Substack so it converts more readily. That begins building this business in earnest.
My writing/marketing is going to be only in my early am, pre-breakfast slot - from 5am to 7:30am. That current afternoon slot will be where I make time for the trailer work, among other farm jobs that the Spring will require.
Again, see way below for your advance beta-edition of this current book.
Also published this week (ICYMI):
Writerpreneur Guideposts
The Flow of Ideas:
As we’ve seen, the reader wants to be transported from the first paragraph, sentence and word they read.
You’ve already gotten them to read because of your title, your subheading, and perhaps (in printed books) your cover or blurb. Now, you must deliver the goods.
There are three elements in a virtual pyramid of length and usage.
These build in necessary continuity to keep your reader reading…
Fiction Posts
A relaxing scene in the valley pools gives Sue access to one of Tig-she’s dreams - where Snarl’s duplicity is exposed…
(If you can’t wait to see how this comes out, Here’s the book link to get your copy.)
Expectancy Tips
Thought you might like this essay from Earl Nightingale:
Thanks for being there, opening this.
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I hope your life is not too interesting to be overwhelming, but sufficiently engaging to keep you amused. (Like some of us here...)
Robert
PS. Again, you can always email me about anything.
PPS. Again, do upgrade to the paid newsletter version. That helps me keep the lights on - so I can keep all this coming to you. As much or little as you want… And you can always buy me a coffee…
Bonus:
Here’s the roughed-in beta version of the book-in-progress above. (Smoothed out through the first quarter.)
Available for limited time as pay-what-you-want…
Hint: You can get a copy for as low as a buck.
I don't know how you handle working in the cold every day! my winters are about making vats and vats of soup, so I can endlessly ladle it into mugs to keep me warm.