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This pandemic has been going on for over 1.5 years, and I know we're all getting weary. Here are a few ideas that you don't have to leave your home for (some assuming you'll order supplies from Amazon/Target/Walmart/Etsy/etc.) or at least not go very far: Exercise Take a walk around your neighborhoodPut a swing up… Continue reading Life Enrichment for Humans Stuck at Home

What is it with us creative types? WHY do we employ self-sabotage, belittle our accomplishments, look for the worst possible scenario, blame ourselves for EVERYTHING, and generally just rain on our own parades? Here's are a few bits of comfort/advice for you, me, for all of us: We worry about setting the bar too low,… Continue reading (Self-) Sabotage!

At the beginning of the year, I said we had no way of knowing how 2021 was going to pan out. That is still very true. This year, more than half-over, is proving unpredictable indeed. BUT...I'm going to try to focus on some positive writerly stuff. Because there is still good in the world, Mr.… Continue reading 2021 Goals – How I’m Doing Thus Far

There have been no cats in any of my published work and that is a crying SHAME. I mean, cats are my favorite animal (foxes are second, horses are third, otters are tied in fourth with dogs.) WHY haven't I featured these pretty lil critters in my books? Well, I mean, the first draft of… Continue reading Kittens in the HOUSE–well, not the actual house…

For book three of The Goblets Immortal Trilogy, I wanted to do a riddle to reveal the title. Here is the answer...un-riddled.... This man was greeted as an old friend. Or was he a man? Emily could tell you, no fear you’d offend! The man in question is no man at all, but an "old… Continue reading Riddle Answer

Like tanderine blossoms in my series The Goblets Immortal, lemongrass is reputed to have healing properties. Note that I am NOT a doctor nor am I giving medical advice in this post. This is all my own experience. I've been growing a small crop of lemongrass, and the other week I harvested a small portion… Continue reading Lemongrass

Here is a list of songs that have inspired and seen me through multiple drafts of novels. Hit it, maestro! For The Goblets Immortal Trilogy*: Ruins of Illusion by LEAHWicked Game (cover) by Theory of a DeadmanEdge of Your Sword by LEAHDo Not Stand at My Grave and Weep (version) by LEAHHero by Chad KroegerI'm… Continue reading Songs for Writing Time

            It wasn’t that Neilson Redd was unwilling to pay the fine for his overdue library book. He most certainly did not wish to make a statement about the unfairness of such a program by refusing to pay. He had money in the bank, so lack of funds wasn’t it either. The reason for Neilson’s… Continue reading Late Fee, a short story

Scones possibly came from Scotland (I love y'all's pronunciation of them over there!) or Cornwall in the 1500s, and were believed to originally have been flat. Aidan Ingledark (The Goblets Immortal) would have grown up with these baking powder biscuit treats for tea-time with Lord and Lady Clement Ingledark, his parents. I made the scones… Continue reading Baking With Beth: English Cream Scones

Just for fun, I thought I’d make up a short hobbit personality quiz. Don’t take it too seriously 😉 Of the following, which would you say is your greatest strength?a. Taking responsibilityb. Loyaltyc. The ability to see the best in peopled. A sense of fun and adventureOf the following, what would you say is your… Continue reading Which LOTR Hobbit are You?