MARCH 2022

TIME WARP

This newsletter is late. My goal is to get out one newsletter each month. I shoot for the first of the month. Therefore, I intended to get this out on March 1. I didn't. My excuse? I tumbled out of February through a time warp.

The last weekend of February was an avalanche of big moments that had Hubby and me all over the place. On Friday, I received my red line edits for SOCIETY OF THE SENTINELIA. That immediately prioritized editing over all else. Until...

On Saturday, we raced over to Raleigh to take my middle son and his fiancé out for a celebratory dinner. Earlier in the day, he popped the question. 

Which left Sunday for editing, except...

That's when we hustled over to Winston-Salem to watch UNCSA's Winter Dance. My youngest son's girlfriend is a senior preparing to graduate with an MFA in dance. She is phenomenally talented. After the performance, Hubby, my son, his girlfriend, her mom, and I all went out to eat.

We like to celebrate with food.

Mid-week, a bolt of lightning metaphorically hit me square in the face. I never sent out a March newsletter. Then it was Sunday again. 

 I adore the setting for this proposal. It's definitely Zarah approved.

Congratulations Melissa & Ethan!

WORLD VIEW

There's a lot of scary stuff happening in the world right now. The most concerning of late being the invasion of the Ukraine. 

While we throw our support and prayers out for all those involved, especially the innocent civilians, we struggle with helplessness. We struggle with guilt. How can we enjoy ourselves when people's lives are  being destroyed? That very sentiment is a topic of discussion on Twitter among authors. How can we create while others suffer?

Here are a couple of perspectives, including mine. 

"Words make a difference."

Writers and writing are essential, especially in times of uncertainty and anguish. 

INTRODUCING ...

Last month, I introduced you to a few youth reviewers who agreed to read SOCIETY OF THE SENTINELIA before it's published and share their opinions. In addition to getting their written feedback, I'll be chatting with them virtually. Clips of their interviews will be included in future editions of this newsletter as well as on my social media channels. This month, I'd like you to meet my hometown reviewer!

ZAHRA'S EARTH-FRIENDLY TIP

MY PERSONAL GOSSIP

You already know about my son's engagement, so the only gossip left this month is that I chopped off my hair. Not all of it. I just returned to my typical shorter hair length according to all my Facebook memory photos. I was getting a little tired of how long it took to dry and style my hair, only for it to look as though I let it air dry in a wind storm by the time I got to work. I don't have any new photos yet, so you'll just have to take my word for it. Or keep up with me on social media, where my upcoming reels will reveal the new do!