Toni

Episode One Hundred and Eighty-Five: Feathers

Giggles accompanied the bells ringing as the door flung open, and Molly raced into the space. A lopsided green hat somehow stayed on her head as she practically dove to the children’s section. Her fluffy winter coat flapped all around her. 

A cold gust of wind blew through the shop, but the door snapped shut, cutting it off.

Her giggles stopped as she found the new dinosaur book I’d put right in front.

“Dinosaurs!” 

I hid my smile behind my m...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

All I wanted to do was write this week but it was not to be.

At the very least, I spent a ton of time getting things ready for the launch. I just didn’t think it would eat up so much time. Like, oh, that should take ten minutes… que two hours later, I’m beating my head against a wall still trying to figure things out.

I’m thankful for those who have given me suggestions and help with the next steps for the launch. Especially surrounding social media, and how to make a diff...

Episode One Hundred and Eighty-Four: The Cat’s troubles

“There are other stones like me, but I was the first.” The stone paused for a moment, then continued. “Our magic is not connected to one another. We do not share knowledge, except when we meet.”

I let out a sigh of relief.

The Cat nudged me. “How about you move it somewhere else?”

“I don’t want it to be lonely.”

Indigo flew out of nowhere and landed on the counter, almost tumbling forward. “Can I borrow the Lorestone?”

I nodded. “...

Episode One Hundred and Eighty-Three: Snowstorm

All three sets of eyes pivoted to stare at Indigo.

“Dragons are good luck,” whispered the guy from near the door.

“Well, we can use that luck with the snow storm.” Lorena set the brand new mug on the counter. 

“Just a black coffee, or something with milk and sugar?” I asked, wiping the inside of the mug out with a rag. 

“Oh, something sweet with chocolate would be delightful.” A big smile came across her face, though her eyes kept fli...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

I’ve been dreaming about the biggest point in book 3. Its haunting my dreams, urging me to write faster and get to that point. I just wish it worked that way. This is one of those moments where if I could write out of order I would. Instead, I need to go chapter by chapter until I get to the wonderful scene waiting for me.

On the bright side, I now know several key things I was hoping I’d figure out really quick here to solve a few mysteries.

But guys, like. We have a month un...

Episode One Hundred and Eighty-Two: Breakfast

His laughter continued as Indigo flew into the kitchen, the Lorestone clutched tightly in her claws.

“Dragon magic!”

“It’s fun asking it questions,” I said as I stirred. Heat turned the strawberries into a thick mash that we’d spread on top of the waffles.

“But where did it come from?” she asked as she slowly flew closer.

“I received it as a gift,” I explained as I turned the heat off under the strawberries. I really wanted to keep the conversation ...

Episode One hundred and Eight-One: Lorestone

“You can add to my knowledge by using magic, or verbally telling me stories.”

My head tilted to one side before a manic grin covered my face. I’d purchased so many audiobooks for Indigo that my collection loomed larger than ever.

Yet, I paused as I was searching on my phone for the first book to play.

Did I want to add knowledge to this strange magic device? Could anything bad happen by increasing its knowledge?

Then again, my world’s knowledge didn’...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

Well this week went a tiny bit sideways with a cold sweeping through my house. So far, it has not struck me which is very important. I’m keeping things running in the background, and making sure everyone eats, is hydrated and is resting.

Today it feels like most have turned the corner.

I did get a few chapters drafted even with the sickness in my household. I’m finally at the point in the story that I have been imagining for years. Not the pinnacle but some warm, family moment...

Episode One Hundred and Eighty: Packages

The Cat poked his out between two of the spindles on the railing. “I know what one of them is!”

I nodded, glancing between the two unknown boxes. The small, fragile one, and the larger one. I resisted the urge to shake either of them, though the bigger one appeared to be heavy, or at least awkward with its size. 

I wasn’t just opening them because, well, I’d learned my lesson. Sometimes surprises weren’t the best, though I had absolutely faith the Cat and B...

Episode One Hundred and Seventy-Nine: A surprising connection

I unlocked and pulled the door open as Adam, the normal delivery guy, tried for the handle yet again.

“Ah, Sable…” He said as he stepped inside carrying two boxes stacked on top of one another.

I carefully stepped back so he had plenty of room as he entered the shop.

He didn’t pause as he headed directly to the counter where he set them down.

“Got two more,” he said as he pointed back to the door before I could follow him.

I waited, holding t...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

I think I’m at the 30% mark with book 3. I cannot believe it. This book wants to be written. It’s a good feeling.

The more emotional aspect of this week was getting the cover art done for the book. I cannot believe it. I hope you love it as much as I love it. I’ve already commissioned the art for book 2.

The weather is being weird here for fall, but I’m slowly getting the garden turned over and my beds filled with a cover crop.

This is a short update because the art ...

Episode One Hundred and Seventy-Eight: Spicy Food

He ignored the milk, blinked twice, then took another bite. “But good!”

I chuckled as I twirled the noodles on my fork, ready to take a big bite. Then I hesitated. While he’d meant well, he simply hadn’t understood, and I knew him well enough to know that the ignorance would upset him. I couldn’t let him feel bad.

“Cat, while we are worth 5 stars, when they are talking about most oriental foods, the stars represent the spiciness level. You ordered the spiciest...

Episode One Hundred and Seventy-Seven: Helpful Cat

“Do you think she’ll be okay?” asked Sable.

“Like I said, she just needs to rest.” I disliked repeating myself, but Sable fretted about the small dragon. “Using one’s magic can be tiring, you know this. She used bigger magic than normal.”

Sable nodded softly, and let out a sigh. “I shouldn’t have let her do it. We could have found a different solution.”

“Indigo is a dragon, dragons do what they want to do.” Much like Fey Lords, sometimes to...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

The words are still flowing for book 3, though I had a moment where Indigo, the Cat and Sable all took a little detour away from my nice outline. Well, if the book ends up being a few chapters longer, ya’ll won’t mind.

Figuring out this social media stuff is rough, but I’m slowly getting used to it again. I didn’t realize when I dropped it all over a year ago how hard it’d be to pick it back up again… but here I am.

The question keeps coming to mind of who and what Ind...

Episode One Hundred and Seventy-Six: It’s getting hot in here.

Loud chirping came from Indigo as she circled around the group of elementals before heading to the counter.

Then the bells rang yet again, as a second set of elementals entered the shop. The first was a long, black, ghostly dragon, who shifted into a humanoid form.

The next was a see-through winged creature, which again became solid and now stood on two legs. Last, but not least, was a walking tree, though this one did not change.

The two elements made of moss and v...

Episode One Hundred and Seventy-Five: We be cooking

The cut up bacon popped in the pan as I fried it. Indigo watched from the island and kept glancing back at the open cookbook.

“When does it turn crispy? It says crispy…”

“I think there might be too much grease in the pan,” I said as I turned down the burner and grabbed a stack of paper towels. I blotted them into the corner of the pan to soak up the excess grease. Using the spatula, I tossed them in the garbage once they were soaked.

“Okay, now they shou...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

Consistency is key… Consistency is key… If I repeat it enough, does it become true? This month I’m doing a 1k a day challenge with my author friends, and it's helped so much. That’s what a wonderful community does.

This week went freaking AMAZING! 7 Chapters written and 4 are already scheduled. Three more to edit from my partner, which I’ll get done today. I just couldn’t wait to write this up and talk to ya’ll.

I also worked on a cute little bonus for the ebook when...

Episode One Hundred and Seventy-Four: A new recipe

Sometimes I wondered where the things that Betty made came from. Like the small sandbox that now sat next to the hot tub on the roof. The green plastic thing that tried to be a turtle, but wasn’t. 

Not to mention that the sand was warm.

I shifted a bunch through my fingers and memories of a short beach visit with my father arose. It’d been just the two of us, which hadn’t happened often. Not when you had as many brothers as I did.

Yet, that day, he’d pu...

Episode One Hundred and Seventy-Three: Tree Stones

I couldn’t help but lean closer to the stone as my fingers trembled.

The Cat didn’t move at all, even as I nudged him with my elbow.

“Cat…”

His snores filled the space.

Lady Borsal’s eyes stayed on me like lasers, and even Indigo studied me.

“Not pretty…” the little dragon said.

It wasn’t.

The stone had a weird, grey texture with faint white lines flowing through it. Yet, all I wanted to do was touch it.

The wooden counter to...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

The coffee and tea are flowing. Writing came easily to me this week, despite the challenges at home with childcare.

5 entire chapters written, and back from my alpha reader. I still need to edit and schedule them, but I blew my goal out of the water. This almost doubles the length of book 3.

September is upon us, and I set a goal with a group of friends to write 1k a day for the entire month. We’ll see how it goes, but having a group doing it with me should make it fun. Sable an...

Episode One Hundred and Seventy-Two: Lost ones

I tried not to stare at the man who wasn’t supposed to be in the shop. However, his bright blue eyes kept coming to mind, and I found myself drawn to them.

The Cat didn’t move from beside me, though his tail flickered back and forth across the counter. He freely stared at the customer.

“Can’t you just ask him to leave?” whispered the Cat inside my head.

I didn’t respond, and instead I focused on my hope that Indigo would stay hidden. Last I knew, she was near the...

Episode One Hundred and Seventy-One: Everyone needs a book

“Would you like a coffee?” I asked, hoping Indigo would at least hide while I distracted the dad.

“Not today, I’m cutting caffeine out of my diet. Doctor’s orders.” He scratched the bottom of his chin. “Just the book today, whatever she picks out.”

I nodded and kept a smile on my face, trying to not glance in that direction.

“Molly, remember, only one…” He turned to face that way, and I glanced over as well.

Molly had a book open on the f...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

Things finally feel like they are getting back to normal, even if it's a lot busier preparing for the launch in November. Things like doing social media graphics and such are my bane but important. 

Last week, I wrote two chapters that I love, and they were edited plus scheduled out. This week, I plan to hit at least 3 if not 4, I’m finally hitting the outline like I wanted since the last couple of chapters the Cat took a detour along with Indigo.

Once I’m back on track w...

Episode One Hundred and Seventy: Instincts

Sometimes a basic lunch could be fun.

Indigo tried to spread the mustard on the white bread, yet the long butter knife kept going in weird directions with her claws.

I opened the utensil drawer and pulled out a silicone coated spatula, and offered that to her instead.

Her claws sunk into the coating a little better, and she spread the yellow sauce a little easier.

“Cooking is hard…” she mumbled, staring at the slice of bread critically.

Unfortunate...

Episode One Hundred and Sixty-Nine: Nine lives

The Cat stared at the dragon as she flew closer.

I smiled at her and motioned to the goods on the counter in front of me. I hoped she wouldn’t do a circle and freak the little guy out, though now I completely understood the Cat’s warning.

Indigo flew faster as she noticed the seeds, her eyes growing wide. It only took seconds for her to fly over the table and closer to the counter.

The customer streaked out from under the table, only a blur as he darted to the d...

Episode One Hundred and Sixty-Eight: Gatherers

Streaks of golden light danced around me as leaves blew through the area. Laughter, whispered voices, and the smell of something floral distracted me. 

Something landed on my feet, and I momentarily ignored the sudden presence of the Cat in my room. The disconnected thought snapped me awake as my stomach growled loudly.

“Cat?” I asked, unsure about what had just happened.

“It’s time to get up…” he mumbled, barely looking at me before he vanished fro...

Episode One Hundred and Sixty-seven: Maple Lattes

It took longer than I’d have liked to fall back to sleep after the dream. This time, chirping woke me up as Indigo flew about the room.

“The flower! The flower!”

Next to my bed, the bud had opened during the night. Bright pink and coral petals surrounded a vibrant purple center, which glowed.

“That‘s gorgeous,” I said, gazing at it.

A second bud had formed, along with another stem with leaves.

As beautiful as it was, it wasn’t enough to distr...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

This week and next week are being eaten up by the behemoth that is Worldcon. The convention is in Seattle this year, and a close friend asked me very nicely to run a bookshop for panelists at it.

I said yes, and a good chunk of my time over the past months have been spent getting things in order. Now, the convention is actually here and my living room is packed with boxes, bookshelves and all sorts of stuff.

We leave tomorrow and won’t be back until next Monday.

I’m exci...

Episode One Hundred and Sixty-Six: Broken Dreams

I held the pen above the paper in my journal, trying to figure out how to direct my dreams for the night. Professor Eira said it could work, and this felt like the easier way to start using my Fate abilities in a more active manner, versus just letting it flicker into existence.

Indigo chirped from her cat tree under the heated blanket I’d already turned on.

“Dream of food!”

I chuckled. “I’m thinking of something a little more important than food.”

T...

Episode One Hundred and Sixty-Five: Choices of Fate

Professor Eira jerked back, yanking her paws from my hands, trembling. Her ears frantically twitched back and forth. The trembling didn’t go away as her eyes widened, showing the whites.

“Are you okay?” I asked her.

I reached out to her, but she leaned away from me.

The Cat jumped over to her couch and started purring. At the same time, warmth pulsed up from the floor and into the couches. 

 Slowly, the trembling stopped, and she started to pet t...