Toni

Whispers from the Writing Nook

This week went a little sideways but I got several episodes back from my alpha reader and now I need to get those edits done. Then I can get those chapters scheduled for everyone.

I keep going back and forth on the solstice stuff, but I think I’m almost done with it. This week, I’ll be writing the ending of the holiday, and then even more fun stuff happens. I am very excited to start writing the even more fun stuff. But atlas I write in order, so I can’t jump ahead.

Till nex...

Episode One Hundred and Forty-Two: A friendly visit for information

The knock on the door vibrated through the entire shop, though it took a second for me to realize what it was. Then, I took off across the living room and down the steps to reach the front door as quickly as possible.

I’d forgotten about the lunch delivery.

I skidded to a halt in front of the door as I recognized the person on the other side. It unlocked as I yanked it open, and Alas stood there. A paper bag rested in his arms, with the logo of the sub place on it.

...

Episode One Hundred and Forty-One: Choices

“Sable,” whispered the Cat. “You can’t just do something like that.”

I ignored him and nodded at the father.

“They are meant to have it,” I said. This time, my voice came out stronger, making it clear I wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

Both boys stared at me with deep green eyes I hadn’t noticed before.

Finally, the father nodded.

“How much for the herbs?”

I walked over to the register, ignoring the Cat’s eyes as they fl...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

I have to keep telling myself that you don’t mind if the solestice is a couple episodes longer than I thought it would be. Everytime I think well, it will be one more episode that doesn’t happen.

So… we’ll see what all of you think when you get there. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy it and sink into the warm, comfy feeling.

I have a smol treat for all of your this week. Artwork. This isn’t the cover, but I though it’d be fun to get some character drawings.

It is...

Episode One Hundred and Forty: Gifts

The Cat padded closer to the bowl, then stuck his nose in. It barely touched the herbs before everything glowed a bright white and the humming climbed higher.

I shook my head to try and clear the sound away.

Then it suddenly stopped.

The light vanished as well, leaving the bundle of herbs behind. Now, instead of just the black and yellow, the bundle had threads of purple and silver in it as well.

“Strange,” whispered the Cat, sniffing the bundle. “It is do...

Episode One Hundred and Thirty-Nine: Dreams, Stones and Magic

My coffee this morning was strong, but strange dreams had haunted me all night, and I needed it. Weird flashes of people I knew, then sudden jumps to others. Kind of like my mind was traveling along a web connecting people, but I didn’t understand the connections. My old friend from college jumped to a sweet old lady crossing the street, then a cute little dog, followed by someone I recognized, but didn’t know.

It didn’t make sense.

The smooth coffee this morning help...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

Indigo is excited. Book 1 is off to the final editor as of last week. 

I made substantial progress on getting through those final chapters. Once the editor gets it back to me, which can take up to 6 weeks, I need to go through those corrections. Then the book goes to formatting, which will take a little bit. Plus, not to mention audio at that point.

We are going to be able to do audio for this book, which makes me super happy.

I still don’t have a date for rele...

Episode One Hundred and Thirty-Eight: Consequences

A blast of warmth from the floor made me relax. Betty had moved that other box, so it must not have anything to be too worried about. The next box contained bundles of dried herbs and flowers, each tied with twine and labeled with various properties.

“That’s for restocking,” said the Cat, sounding like his normal self. “It’s cheaper from the supplier here. We’ll be selling that later to a recurring customer.”

He sniffed at the bundles, t...

Episode One Hundred and Thirty-Seven: Trust Me

“The jars, from being spotted.” The Cat’s paws rested on the edge of the box as he studied each of the jars. “I’ve been searching for these for ages.”

“They don’t look that impressive to me,” I said, as I reached toward the box to lift one out.

“Don’t!”

I froze at his command, though it wasn’t reinforced with magic like in the past.

“They’re dangerous, and filled with the remains of destroyed worlds.”

“There are ashes from...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

I am so close.

Book 1 is almost ready to go to a final editor. I just wrapped up chapter 54 of 84. One more solid day working on it, and I’ll be able to send it off on its wings. 

Each little step that brings this book close to a physical form brings me so much excitement. I still don’t have a date for release or anything like that.

I’ve been reading the comments over on Royal Road as I’ve been editing, and loving some of the theories that post. It's hard...

Episode One Hundred and Thirty-Six: Gifts and Reminders of Family

Episode One Hundred and Thirty-Six: Gifts and Reminders of Family

Something about Molly’s father drew my attention more than normal, especially with how tired he was. His answer about travel felt wrong, but I couldn’t say why. It didn’t take long before they both headed out.

Jingles from the bell on the door closing behind them made me smile. Molly had always been so happy about books and dinosaurs. Yet, as their presence left the store, I couldn’t help bu...

Episode One Hundred and Thirty-Five: Writer's Block

Nothing in the shop leaped out at me, and the writer snapped the book closed sliding it back onto the shelf with a loud sigh.

“Is there anything you’re looking for in particular?” I asked, closing my own book and notebook before sliding them under the counter. I didn’t need questions about them.

The woman turned to glance at me with a frown. “I’ve lost my magic…”

I blinked and noticed the Cat stretch next to me.

“Your magic?”

“Yes,”...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

I’m back from Norwescon. Tired, ready to sleep in my own cozy blankets and eat some home-cooked food - including bacon.

Four whole days of talking with other authors, readers, and people in general have worn me out, but in a good way. I have ideas, and I have creative ideas. I'm not sure yet where they will lead, but I know they will lead to something good. The last time that happened, Meow came into existence.

For now, I am going to rest, chill with my family and then in...

Episode One Hundred and Thirty-Four: Stone Cold Magic

Caffeine called my name as I finished up breakfast and headed to the espresso machine to make something tasty. Maple lingered in the air, and I went with a maple latte, one for each of us, even though the Cat’s fit in the teacup.

I sipped slowly on the hot beverage as I studied the setup of the shop. Lots of bookshelves and books were stacked all over the place. This layout tied with the coffee shop layout as one of my favorites. If only the two would combine, I’d be in heave...

Episode One Hundred and Thirty-Three: Bacon makes things Better

I didn’t want to get up. Only a couple more days until, hopefully, we’d be closed for two days around the solstice. Plus, Indigo would be back.

But today, my comfortable bed kept me locked under my heavy blanket, even as the sun streamed in from above.

Something leaped onto the end of my comfortable hiding place near my feet and padded up next to my leg.

“We have the same number of tasks to get done, whether you get up now or not,” said the Cat.

I couldn...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

This week started off amazing with getting a ton of words in for Meow Volume Two. I absolutely love the direction this book is going and wrote seven episodes. The eighth is almost done, but I need a better episode ending.

A sore throat has caught me which really sucks given I only have a short time to recover before the convention this week. This Thursday, I need to drive a long distance with my SUV packed to the gills with books, shelving, and stickers. But the bright side is th...

Episode One Hundred and Thirty-Two: Small Changes

Fred and the other troll left after another hour, and other foot traffic in the shop died down. Not much later, the shop was empty and I took my chance. “Hey Betty, can you lock the door?”

The click removed the stress from my shoulders and I turned to the Cat, who hadn’t really moved all day. His sandwich from lunch still sat on the counter in the kitchen, and I left it there after picking him up.

“How does Chinese sound for dinner?” I said, and I held him close.<...

Episode One Hundred and Thirty-One: Artists Way

The Elven woman rolled her eyes. “My parents want me to, but I don’t really care.”

Fred sat down near her, but not in her space. He pulled out a textbook, but kept glancing in her direction. “I mean, have the healers figured out what’s wrong?”

“No. My grandmother wants me to visit the edges of the old forest, and speak with some elders. She remembers something similar happening to others, but it was before her time.”

“I’m sorry,” he said with a s...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

On Friday of this week, I worked on Meow, and it was magical. While I didn’t get a ton of episodes done, I wrote three, and they are amazing. I sunk into the flow and knew exactly what I was going to write this week. I can’t wait for everyone to get to this part!

April is a crazy month for me between spring finally starting in the PNW and an in-person event, Norwescon. If you live in the Seattle area and are going to the convention, you’ll be able to find me in the Dealers ...

Episode One Hundred and Thirty:  Unnoticed Changes

“So, what’s on the schedule today?” I asked the Cat while sipping my mocha, which contained way too much chocolate. The shop appeared in its coffeehouse form. The long wooden table rested near the window, and bookshelves lined the far wall. It was one of my favorite kinds of days.

Whipped cream towered on top of his teacup and I didn’t expect a response for several moments. Not that he usually had information about coffeeshop days. Normally, I just went with the flow, kee...

Episode One Hundred and Twenty-Nine: Unseen leaves

“What did the imps buy, anyway?” I asked while studying the leaves.

The bright green oak leaves glowed in magic, and not just the outline that normally let me know something needed to happen with them. The green color didn’t match what I knew of oak trees. Even in the spring, when the leaves first burst forth, this wasn’t the same. But who knew what type of a magical tree these could be from?

“Items needed for making a small magical explosion,” said the Cat.

Whispers from the Writing Nook

Thank you for your patience with Patreon. I am definitely still learning, and I swear every week, a new thing pops up. This week, I learned it defaults posts to 9 PDT, not 7 which I’m used to. But I figured it out(with the help of some lovely readers), and next week should be on time.

Whoever spread the evil sickness to my household, the Cat is searching for you.

At least I caught up to editing while on my phone. The more exciting news is that we are so clo...

Episode One Hundred and Twenty-Seven: Routine is Key

Snores from the Cat woke me up at my normal time. He lay next to my pillow. A black blob highlighted by my bright white sheets in the morning light. The Cat normally didn’t sleep in my room, but with Indigo gone, I appreciated it.

It made me smile as I stretched, careful not to wake him. I needed to shower, so I quietly slipped out from under my blanket and headed to my bathroom. By the time I’d used up an ungodly amount of hot water, the Cat was gone from my blankets.

Still, ...

Episode One Hundred and Twenty-Six: Unexpected Lesson

To my surprise, after lunch the bell on the front door rang as I searched for gifts for the dragons from me. Professor Eiva crept in, her nose twitching as if she was searching for something.

“It’s just us,” I said with a smile. “Indigo is off on an adventure with Lady Twilight and Lord Bennett.”

Her ears turned a few times before she confidently stepped inside.

“Good to know.”

“Welcome to the shop. I didn’t realize that you’d be here today. ...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

So many good things are happening and it's hard to keep everything on track. 

Three episodes written this week - Check!

Three episodes edited this week - vanishes into thin air

Editing is my downfall and it’s something I know. I keep reminding myself that I’m self-aware of it at least.

This week I reread what I’ve written for Volume Two and I’ve noticed a few areas where I’ll need to adjust pacing for when I publish the paperbac...

Episode One Hundred and Twenty-Eight: Tricks are for… Imps

“That’s what you think,” said the Cat, finishing his coffee. Then, in a softer voice, “Can you hide my teacup?”

“Of course,” I placed it under the counter, but it suddenly sank into the wooden shelf. Safe and sound.

“So, about these imps… what should I be aware of?” I asked, trying to figure out a little more about these people.

The bells on the door jingled, but it didn’t open. Or if it did, it was quick enough for me not to notice. 

...

Episode One Hundred and Twenty-Five: Nymphs and Books

“You can completely ignore me,” I said, trying to save the small green woman’s mood. “I’m just here if you want to buy anything.”

She blinked twice, then nodded. “Okay. I’ve just never seen anyone like you before.” 

“Same, actually, but if you like books, this is the place.”

A wave of happiness came over her face again, and she stood back up, staring at the shelves. She took a few steps to the closest shelf and ran a finger down the spine of...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

Volume One is done - that blows my mind more than most can understand. This cozy little tale all started from walking in the woods with my partner and discussing magical cats. From there things spiraled as I let my brain wander in various directions.

Now there are 115,000 words in the first part and 50,000 more in the second. 

Do I know where it's headed?

Yes, I do. 

Thankfully.

My writing goal each week is to write 3 episodes. Two for subscribers and o...

Episode One Hundred and Twenty-Four: Mediation

Was it sad that the first thing I thought about was that we only had five days until the Solstice, and Indigo wasn’t back yet? Not to mention, the professor hadn’t been back yet. At least I had the distraction of writing in my journal about my magic, and forcing myself to practice mediating each morning and evening.

I sat on the fluffy couch facing the snowy windows in the living room. A warm mug of coffee waited for me on the coffee table. Hints of it floated through the air...

Meow: Magical Emporium of Wares - Vol 1

Episode One

The job ad seemed normal en