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What's Been Goin?

4/25/2023

Have you ever done something that was bigger than yourself? You dive in to this Thing that’s calling out saying, ’hey, hey, you! Will you take this huge leap into the unknown, knowing it contains no guarantee of success for You but will help Others?’

That’s what sits embedded at the root of writing for me. It’s an act of faith, almost as if it were an act of breathing. It’s *so hard* to write the actual *good story*… and the writing is the easiest part.
Because after the sloughing off of pride, and planning, and pushing characters into a new universe and carving them into heroes, that’s when the beautiful process of articulation becomes tangible. And after the writing, well it’s all uphill in the snow pulling a broken wheeled wagon to its rightful destination for readers to meet.

I go back and read the books I have written and see how they were not just “my ideas” and “my words” but inspired by Something Much Greater. They, hopefully, point toward light. They draw out valor and hope and courage. Don’t your teens — don’t you — deserve to read books like that?
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And even if you don’t really care about me or even like me, something to consider… bookstores which carry those books need your attention. Show up to support local people and their passions, because they are within your circle of influence. Small ripples of support travel great distances.
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So save the date, next Saturday, April 29. 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. It’s Independent Bookstore Day. Intermission Bookshop in Downtown Brownwood has welcomed me in for a book signing and has THREE of my Alliance series books available. Make a plan to visit. Can’t wait to see you there.

April 14-15th I had the pleasure of attending a Mini Comic Con and leading a breakout session on “The Big Bad Evil Guy: Is It You?” The students were so engaged and meeting new readers is always an exciting experience. Books! Games! Merch! Oh my!

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So -- what's been going on with you? How's that courage holding up for you? It doesn't always look like big, bold steps, and often doesn't feel like progress. But courage includes showing up, taking one step forward at a time, consistent, persistent, patient, enduring.

Don't forget the Alliance motto:
Be powerful.
Be consistent.
Never quit.
Finish the mission.

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Never Quit

3/27/2023

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Down the hall we strode, past several closed doors, into a bright white room filled with computer monitors, rolling poles, charts, tools on silver trays on rolling tables, and a thin hospital bed. Teams of lab coats worked throughout the room, muttering codes and words to each other, the likes of which I had no clue. Piotre pointed to the white mattress in the middle of the room, and a man in loose-fitting blue cotton clothing held out a hand for me to hold while I climbed on. He squeezed my hand and smiled. “We are rooting for you. Nothing to worry about.”
They hooked me up to monitors, clipped gadgets on my fingertips, while one lab coat warned me that the needle he was about to shove in my inner arm would “pinch just a bit,” but I knew better. That guy pinched and prodded both arms, taping needles into my skin, one line taking blood, the other giving fluid. Hearing the pulse of my rapid, chaotic heart brought me back to the medical ward of the Villa.
   Closing my eyes, I heard Tucker’s voice amid the cacophony of staff bustlings. “You’ve got to work past whatever is holding you back,” Tucker had said. “Nevah queet, Saylah.”
  We win.
  We defeat.
  Never quit.
  Breame stood over me, wearing a set of light blue clothing similar to the others, a blue hat nestled against his forehead, a white paper mask strapped over his mouth and nose, his gloved hands flung jauntily in the air at his shoulders. “Astounding work back there. I can’t wait to see what you’ll do next.”
  “Thanks.”
  “Shall we?” Those serene green eyes twinkled.
  “As you said. It’s a rather good day to make history.”

Order Indelible Now

Indelible, book three of the Alliance series, is now available for the first time in paperback! Grab your copy of this extraordinary adventure and feel the fiery third installment of Alliance's daring escapades across the globe. Purchase in paperback or ebook, wherever you purchase your favorite books.

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Thank you, friends, for continuing along this winding journey that is publishing! These new covers are so thrilling to see in hand and I hope they will bring you all the excitement and inspiration that they have brought to me. May Saylor's adventure ignite your own.

And always remember Alliance's motto:

Be powerful.
Be consistent.
Never quit.
Finish the mission.

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