Back In Business

Life Update

Guten tag, my friend! (Good day!)

It's so good to be back with another life update for you, and I have lots of news to share. Things have been busy around here, but after recovering from the time change it feels good to be back in the swing of things.

Let's get into it!

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Writing

I got my manuscript back from my lovely editor in February, yay!

So I am, once again, up to my ears in revisions, lol. I'm around the midpoint, or maybe a little past that by the time you see this. There's definitely a lot to unpack, but I can see the story gaining some shine with every improvement.

When I'm not working on that manuscript, I'm continuing to rework the sequel and adjust for the scenes I've moved or changed. It's a lot of brain gymnastics, but I enjoy the challenge.

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Blogging

It's taken longer than I hoped, but I believe I finally have a plan (or part of one) for keeping a regular schedule around here.

That said, I always want to hear from you and explore whatever authordom questions you might have - so, if the fancy strikes you, there are two super-easy ways to contact me: Simply leave a comment on this post, along with your first name if indeed you have a question, OR send me a message in a bottle (fill out the CONTACT form) at the very, very, very bottom of the page. (Show of hands, who would like to see a contact tab on the homepage?)

Also, though nobody asked for this, I want to assure you that I am not, and never will be, using AI to write blog posts. Those who know me best know my views on artificial creativity, if you can call it that. Nor do I use any kind of 'assistant' while writing or editing my stories. You're stuck with me, mate!

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Farm Life

Most of the geese have gone without so much as a by-your-leave, but the robins are back to harass our hardy meadowlarks once again. It's warm enough that I can now hang laundry outside to dry (not a traditional hobby, but I enjoy it more than you'd think).

The chickens are laying again, thank goodness, although we lost one to a feral cat during the last cold snap. The cat has been, uh, dispatched, and the rest of its clan had the sense to make themselves scarce. Still, the dog often gives a warning bark when she goes outside, just in case.

As I type this, I have bags of wool in the wash and more hanging on the line to dry. My first homemade sweater was a success, and that with commercially spun yarn, so my little mind now swims with visions of the homespun sweater I'll make next. Whether I'll finish it over the summer is yet to be seen; warm garments are hard to knit when the temperature gets to 105 by noon.

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In Conclusion

Onword's 2nd anniversary came and went without much fanfare -- after the 2024 we had, I felt lucky to make it into a new year, never mind celebrating the old one. But fanfare or not, I want to remind you that everything we've built here exists first by the grace of God, and second because of you. None of this would make sense without you on the other end of it. Your time is a gift that I will always cherish, and the year ahead is brimming with new blessings, if only we have the vision to perceive them.

If you liked this post and want to help build the Onword community, remember to share it with a friend by word of mouth, social media, or carrier pigeon.

Onward!

~ Lydia