PRINTER, WEATHER, EDITING ON ONE BOOK, REWRITING ANOTHER

Don’t you just love it when Microsoft does an update, and then your printer will not talk to your computer? It seems I have to go by a 3.0 cable for my printer for it to work. I checked at Wal-Mart yesterday, and they do not have it. So now I will have to drive all the way to Best Buy this weekend and see if they have one. So wish me luck folks that I can get my blasted printer to working again. All I can do is try.
The weather here is cold today. We are still only at 37°, which I think is our high for today. But, it is a beautiful day. The sun is bright and shining. Before I went to bed last night, I took the pups outside for their last visit of the evening, and it actually smelled like it was going to rain. You know that unusual odor that’s in the air just before rain storm. I kept hoping, but no such luck.
Well I am still working on editing The Hangman. The silly mistakes you can make when you are typing a manuscript is amazing. Like forgetting to put an S on the end of a word, or adding an ED when you don’t need one, and numerous other stupid mistakes. One thing I like about this Dragon Naturally Speaking, is that it types in the words correctly for me. Love it. Love it, love it. Now I’m not advocating for everyone to run out and buy this program, I’m just stating how helpful I find it to be. And it learns the more you use it on how you pronounce words. I do have to remember to insert the correct punctuation and to speak distinctly. Every now and then I do have a tendency to slur over a word. I am getting much better at speaking clearly into the microphone.

My novel All For The Love Of Hannah was completely written in a shortened version. I am taking that and adding information about the storyline, and characters to turn it into a full length novel. It is coming along rather well. I’ve had to rethink the actions of some of the characters, particularly the bad guy. But that too is working out and I don’t seem to be having as much trouble with the rewrite as I thought I would. My goal is to finish The Hangman and get it up on Amazon, and complete the other one before the end of the year.

I have submitted A Circle of Murders to a couple of literary agents. I have a list of others that I will be submitting it and The Stone Killer to for their consideration. Crusher fingers that I find a competent one as well.

Well there’s not much going on here other than I think I might have a mouse under the washer in the kitchen. The cats have all stationed themselves in front of the washer and dryer and keep their nose pointed to the floor as if they’re waiting for it to stick its head out. I had one when I first moved in here back in 2013, but my big old black cat, Pyewacket, caught it and killed it. I hate it, but I can’t have mice in the house.

Everyone stay safe and well, and always remember, NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER SURRENDER.
The best to you all,

Dreamah

WEATHER, THE END OF PACKING, NOW SHIPPING AND HOUSE FOR SALE, UNFINISHED NOVELS, THE HANGMAN

It has been a long three months for my sweet adopted sister,  Her grief is a tangible emotion having to relive the memory of each item selected to be pack for keeping and shipped back to Ohio.  It is doubly so for everything that must be gotten rid of.  You spend a lifetime with someone and then lose them, that is a pain that time can’t “heal”.  We only learn to cope with always missing them.  There are people who don’t or won’t try to understand this.  When I lost my youngest sister years ago, I had a Hospice nurse tell me if I was still grieving after a year there was something wrong with me.  I guess there is something wrong with me.  I still miss those I have lost and YES, there are times I still cry from the pain of losing them.  It doesn’t go away.  We just shove it to the back of your minds so you can get on with your life.  But it still exists and always will.  So to those of you who don’t or won’t understand, screw you and the camel you rode in on, is my philosophy.  I miss my sisters and mother!!!  Soon the house will be emptied out, the rug shampooed and a For Sale sign stuck in the yard.  I completely understand how Sis feels and what she is having to cope with daily.  One part of your life ends and the road stretching before you must be traveled.  I pray her journey down that road ahead is filled with happy times and wonderful adventures.  I am going to miss her terribly when she goes back to Ohio.

I printed off a copy of all the partially written novels I have on this computer.  They are romantic suspense and after re-reading them, sound good.  One is so close to being completed, I plan on finishing it as soon as THE HANGMAN is completed.  I want to upload it this year as well.  It is called TO CATCH A DREAM.  I would like your opinion as to which book cover you all think is best, the blue one or the orange one.  You can post your choice on my Facebook page or e-mail me at dreamah.lockwood@aol.com

Well, I must get back to work on THE HANGMAN.  It has to be finished so we can get the editing done and it can be uploaded.

Everyone have a great week and I will talk at you later.  Stay safe.

EDITING, RAIN, BOOKS, ETC

Good morning all:  I hope all is well with you all.

Hubs got up early and watered the garden, now it is pouring rain.  Of course, isn’t that the way it works?  And it looks like an all day affair.

You know how there are some days when nothing works out?  Well that was yesterday.  I had plans on editing THE HANGMAN, but it just seemed I could not get to it.  So today is the day.  As soon as I finish this I will get started.  Oh crap!  I forgot.  I have an Eye of Round Roast and a Pork Loin in the fridge that I need to cut up.  BUT THEN!  On to THE HANGMAN.  I promise, Sister.

I told you I bought a new MacBook.  Well, there is a lot of new stuff on it. I ordered a book from Amazon and it came in this morning.  I am anxious to get started on it.  I am so computer illiterate it is sad.  I get so angry with myself sometimes.  I am one of those who just can’t remember instructions.

Well I am through whinin’ and crying’ so I will spare you all more of my misery.  You all take care and we’ll talk again later.

DREAMAH

DRAGON, SO EASY TO USE, WEATHER, THE HANGMAN, LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL MAYBE

I am dictating this blog using Dragon naturally speaking software. I am quite amazed at how easy this program is to use. Of course if you don’t pronounce your words clearly, and insert your punctuation into your text, you do have to go back and edit a little to make sure that the system hasn’t inserted a word incorrectly. Outside of that factor, writing is so easy with this. I highly recommend buying Dragon natural premium 13.

Well I have to say March has certainly come in like a lion with all the high wind we’ve been having here in Colorado. It’s kicking up a lot of dust and stuff which is driving my sinuses crazy. But since I am a little nuts that is not surprising. We’ve been having 60 almost 70° weather for over a couple of weeks now. And this coming Friday we are supposed to have snow. Oh yea. But then again that’s Colorado weather for you and it is wonderful here. I hope everyone has been having a good week so far. I know I have been, even with the wind. As sister put up on her blog I am volunteering at the local PD, and have learned a lot. Of course I’m having to go back through my novel The Hangman and make a lot of corrections on the procedures, but that’s okay. I want my procedures in the story to be correct, as they are in actual police work. As police departments have limited resources, they cannot have all the lab equipment and processes like is portrayed on television. Wouldn’t it be great if they could do all the necessary investigation to be done and process all lab and evidence  in an hour’s time in real life. But that ain’t the way it happens folks.  Police work is a process that takes care and time to make sure there hasn’t been mistakes. So give a big THANK YOU to all the officers who work hard to keep us and our streets safe.  I know I do. .

The Hangman is progressing quite well. I am on the downward road of the investigation. Now all I have to do is tie everything together and, hopefully, between now and the first two weeks of April this book will be completed. But then you know the old saying, ‘The best laid plans of mice and men somehow go astray’. Anything can happen. And I hope it does not. I would like to get on to the next book in the Jonas Black series. I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel on this novel.

Everyone have a fantastic week and stay safe. Don’t forget to purchase The Stone Killer and give it a read before the next book is up.

Dreamah

 

 

 

 

THE CHRISTMAS MOUSE, WEATHER, LAUNDRY, THE PARANORMAL IN THE HANGMAN

Last week I posted on Facebook that the Christmas mouse met its demise via Pyewacket.  I found its little body between Pyewacket’s paws and had to force him release it so I could dispose of its body.  My sister says where there is one mouse, I probably have another.  If I do, the cats are on guard and waiting for them.

We are on an up swing to warmer weather.  Our high today is supposed to hit 42.  That’s what I love about living here.  We have snow for a day or two, then bright sunshine and warmer AND DRYER, weather.  Snow doesn’t stand a chance once the sun comes out.  But this time it snowed, I still have several spots in the backyard that had snow and ice chunks from the prior snow.  We got about three inches this last time and it is melting away except for the ice patch on the driver’s side of my car.  I even put stuff on it to melt it.  Time for some more.  I don’t plan on going out today as it laundry day.  I need to strip my bed and catch up on everything that needs done in between writing.

I had to review The Hangman to make sure I had my list of actions that need to be resolved or any questions that have to be answered.  So far, I haven’t missed anything.  I did go off on a wild tangent which I had to delete and correct.  I’m back on track and writing away.

If you haven’t read The Stone Killer, you might want to give it a read before The Hangman comes out as it is the second book in the series.

Everyone have a great week and stay safe.

Dreamah

 

 

sun, CHLOE, ETC.

I CAN’T believe it is after 11:00 and I am just now eating breakfast. Left over pizza from last night. Yummy good. My daughter just put a boiled egg in the microwave and it blew up all over the place. Lord, I hope that is not an omen of the day to come. Her exact words were, “As soon as I eat I will clean the microwave.” HA! She is in her room and I am in the kitchen with the dirty microwave. There are times when it is good to be short. I can’t reach the microwave to clean it.
Well, the sun is out and the temp is 57. That makes for a beautiful day. Chloe is no longer afraid to run through the house. She is back to her old self.
I need to get busy on THE HANGMAN, so I guess I will let you get back to your work, also. You all take care and be good to yourselves. We’ll talk again later.

1/2
DREAMAH

WEATHER, BELLA, CHLOE, WRITING GOALS, THE HANGMAN

Our weather turned a bit chilly last night.  It was down in the twenties and a bit nippy when I took the pups out at seven this a.m.  Tonight is supposed to be around twenty-three. We have a wind making the wind chimes dance and sing.  In the elm trees this morning, there was some type of large bird, sounded like a hawk, squawking at me and the dogs as we walked around the yard.  I never was able to see it, so I’m not sure what it was.  It sounded large.

I am sorry to report that Bella has been sent to a rescue shelter per the advice of my sister’s vet.  This was done only after she attacked Chloe four different times that morning.  My sister hated to have to send Bella away as she loved that dog.  But she’s had Chloe since she was a baby and Bella’s jealousy made her vicious toward the little dog.  She would have eventually killed Chloe and that could not be allowed to happen.  She went to a place that will make every effort to re-home her.  The dog is a working dog and needs a job.  We are all praying someone will supply that job.  She is a beautiful and very smart animal and needs all the chances to reach her potential.

I was thrilled to reach my writing goal yesterday of over a thousand word on THE HANGMAN.  Another twist in the plot appeared thanks to my character’s telling me what to write.  Onward with with the investigation.  Secrets never stay hidden.  Someone always knows.  We leave a trail of our lives behind for others to see and know.  Don’t forget to read the first book in the series, THE STONE KILLER.  I try to improve with each book.  Hopefully, I succeed.

Everyone have a great day and stay safe.

Dreamah

 

SLEEPLESS NIGHT, WHEN IT ALL COMES TOGETHER, WEATHER, PAINTING, 1000+ WORDS PER DAY

I have yet to discover the reason behind my sleepless nights.  When I went to bed Friday night, I was tired and sleepy.  My crazy left ear was giving me fits so I took pill to open my sinuses and stop the dizziness.  Two a.m., I’m wide awake.  I stayed that way until six the next morning.  All of Saturday, I’m walking around like a zombie until late in the evening when my brain decides it’s going to start working.  I accomplished not much of anything yesterday except some crocheting last night.  I can say I did sleep quiet well last night until the cats started yelling for food.  At least today my mind seems to be working and I feel a lot more rested.

 

It is a bright sunny day here in Colorado,  The aspens have changed the mountain sides to gold.  And when the wind blows the leaves, it is as if gold coins are dancing in the sunlight.  It is so beautiful, it almost takes your breath away.  I can’t imagine living any other place.  The first time I came to Colorado years ago, it was as if I came home.  My heart has always been here and here I plan on staying.

I plan on finishing a painting of flowers I’ve been working on.  I did the same painting several years ago when I was living in Florida and studying art with a local instructor.  She bought the painting before I had a chance to hang it for a short time on my wall.  I normally never do a painting twice, but this was a photo I put on a birthday card I had given my mother.  She would have like the painting, and when I look at the one I’m doing now, I think of her.   This is not a good photo of the painting as it is much more vivid.

It always amazes me when I’m working on a novel how the story line will play out in my head.  There are times when the events have to cook in my brain until everything gels into place and I know who, what, when, why and how it all comes together.  That is what has happened with THE HANGMAN.  My killer has turned out to be someone I had not planned on at all.  But the characters have started talking and all I can do is write what they tell me.  I love it when this happens.  Now, to be able to get 1000 words or a lot more done each day would be great.  The book would be finished in no time,  Oh how I pray I can do 1000 to 1800 words a day.

 

Everyone have a great week.  I will be busy at my computer pounding the keyboard and trying to reach my word goal each day.

Take care of yourselves and stay safe.

Dreamah

PEACHES, WEATHER, CANNING, PIE FILLING, GARDEN, COUNTRY STYLE BREAKFAST

LAST YEAR’S GARDEN

Well, for the second day in a row, my sister has written a blog about the bushel of peaches she purchased and is getting ready to make into peach pie filling.  She does this every year and works herself until she is so exhausted it is not funny.  Her and my other sister are both into having a large vegetable garden so they have fresh veggies every year.  They both make jellies and jams out of blueberries, strawberries and anything they can think of including apple butter.  Me, I write books.  Sister skins the peaches in hot water, lets them cool, slices them and adds all the spices for pie filling, fills freezer bags with enough for individual pies and freezes the lot.  That way she always has fresh peaches for pies.  She does the same thing to apples for pies or to fry for breakfast, i think.  Hot biscuits, fried apples and scrambled eggs with bacon is a fantastic breakfast, as long as you don’t do it too often or you’ll gain weight.

I called her a few minutes ago and they’re having a horrible storm.  When it’s over, she’ll call and let me know she’s okay.

Anyway, I’m still helping my friend pack up her house.  When that is done, I’ll get back to writing full-time on THE HANGMAN.

Everyone have a great weekend, and please stay safe.  Life is so short.

Dreamah

TIMELINES, PROGRESSION OF EVENTS, WEATHER, RAIN, RAIN, AND MORE RAIN, FLOODING, CATS

Well, I was writing like a manic last night on THE HANGMAN, when it suddenly dawned on me, in the novel, what time of day was the story at.  So, I start at the beginning and list the hours as the story progresses.  Since my story open early on a Wednesday at 1:45 in the morning, I had to determine what was happening and who was doing what during that day.  I had to go back and do this with THE STONE KILLER.  You would think I would remember to start a timeline chart when I begin writing a new novel.  Duh! Oh well, as long as I get it done. My advice to you, don’t do as I do, keep track of the time in your story and what each character is doing when you’re writing,  It will save time and effort and your story will flow right along.

I have added the pseudonym D. H. Lockwood for the crime fiction book we have published so far on Amazon.  If you look up either name on Amazon, it will take you to our novels listed under Dreamah or D. H.  Lockwood.

Right at this minute, I’m having trouble seeing my computer monitor.  I have a Siamese cat in the way.  Bandit loves to sit on my desk and be petted, but it is always when I am trying to type.  She needs lots of love as she is so jealous of Titan.

 

The rain, which we have needed, is starting to get ridiculous.  It has sprinkled off and on all day and now the weather report is for more rain  until who knows when.  The ground is saturated, the creeks and rivers are raging and it has rained every day since the first of May.  The last time this happened was in 1935.  Again, I NEED TO SEE SOME SUNSHINE!!!!!!!!!!  Fountain Creek is a rushing, roaring almost river instead of a creek.   With all the coming rain, I hope we don’t have a lot of flooding.

Back to work on THE HANGMAN.  My writing is again flowing and the characters are talking loud and clear to me.  So it is work, work, work until the first draft is finished and then comes the edits and rewrites.  An author’s work is never completely finished.  We can always find something to add or cut.

Everyone have a great evening and stay safe.

Dreamah  (D.H.)