Sept. 3, 2025 - Curve Balls!

Sometimes life throws you challenges you never saw coming. Yesterday, our family faced those life altering circumstances. The first was confirmation that I will require total right shoulder replacement - significant because I'm right handed and it will impact my ability to work on the illustrations for my children's picture book "A MOST CURIOUS MAGICAL TALE". Fortunately, I believe I have enough finished to begin pitching. Below, I've added the end pages. One will have the title of the book, the other will have Phildor peaking out asking "The End?". I also have the title page finished. It just needs colouring. Unfortunately, this means I have had to withdraw from the Highlights Foundation course FROM SKETCH TO DUMMY AND SUBMISSION. I had so been looking forward to it!

The second shock was the worst of all. Thanks to AI and global politics, the son I live with was declared redundant yesterday, along with about 30 of his colleagues. Financially, this is devastating for our household! Everything has become urgent. I will now have to focus my writing in other directions. I will begin to pitch both my historical romantasy, THE TRIQUETRA LEGACY and my children's picture book, A MOST CURIOUS MAGICAL TALE. If I could sell one of my manuscripts, that would take the pressure off.

In addition, we will begin a project which has been on the back burner for ages but could bring in some revenue when monetized. Because we have so many dietary restrictions and food allergies, I have created and adapted many recipes. Our YouTube cooking program and Instagram feed will highlight unique ways to elevate food that requires cooking without... gluten, lactose, sugar, nuts, seeds, citrus, tropical fruit, and soy... while infusing meals with incredible flavours and appealing textures. We have had considerable experience from our other video series. Our first series is about end of life choices, https://www.youtube.com/@TheEnd-of-LifeJourney this video series is partially based on my book MAID MUSINGS: A WIDOW'S REFLECTIONS which is available here https://www.blurb.ca/b/9288918-maid-musings It is a collection of reflective narratives, short stories and poetry as well as my book about my journey with chronic pain, a collection of short stories and poetry https://www.blurb.ca/b/6551705-a-gentle-warrior

I'll do the research, write the content and scripts, as well as preparing the materials for the cookbook which will accompany the video series. My son Peter will do the technical end of things including the production and editing. We'll both appear on camera. Tentatively, our video series will be called "G-G Cooks!" . It will feature traditional "made-from-scratch" recipes that accommodate special dietary needs - everything a Great-Gramma has perfected over a lifetime in the kitchen. Stay tuned! We hope to launch within the month.

Best wishes always...

P.S. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog! My intention is to keep followers up to date on my latest writing adventures. My current focus is on fiction genres including children's picture books and YA/NA historical romanticies. I'm also preparing to write an epic fantasy for the young adult audience. As a debut author I face all the challenges of breaking into the traditional publishing market. I need your interest and support to do so! Please consider following me here and on other social media platforms, which you can access on the Home page of my author's web site. I'll be adding more in the weeks to come so please check back from time to time. Thank you so much, in advance, for following my blog. You are potentially helping me enrich the lives of future readers. I just need this break to attract my first agent representation! Your efforts will make all the difference! Thank you once again.

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