That would be awesome. Want to send me a DM and we can discuss how you prefer to be contacted?

A bowl of veggie bean soup on a pillow on top of a blanket on a couch.

When life feels out of control, I look for aspects that can be simplified or ritualized. It’s easy to forget that broth, frozen veggies, a can of black beans, and spices can turn into satisfaction in under an hour.

@parkergoodreau.bsky.social are you by chance the fandom YA person I met at Derry Author Fest? That sounds like something I would want to read, but I forgot to grab your info.

Thank you! 😊

“There’s no such thing as failing in #writing,” —Adi

“Connect yourself to the page. And if you’re lucky, you’ll connect to readers,” —Rebecca

“Protect those squishy moments of time where you can be creative,” —Adi

I am so pleased to have been in the audience for @nhrebecca.bsky.social and @adirule.bsky.social’s keynote at Derry Author Fest. Here are some quotes (I think I got them mostly correct) that resonated with me.

“Presenting your writing to readers is my definition of #publishing,” —Rebecca

1/?

Three women taking a selfie in the stacks at the library.

Glinda the Good Witch pointing the way to Derry Author Fest

Panelists at Derry Author Fest in a meeting room with seated attendees.

Derry Public Library really knocked it out of the park with #DerryAuthorFest!

Steps leading up to Derry Public Library that displays a banner for Derry Author Fest.

Super excited to be attending Derry Public Library’s #Author Fest today with some of my fellow writing group members.

It’s the middle of the night, and I’m suddenly desperate to tell one of my childhood best friends that she partially inspired some characters in my YA novel. We aren’t close anymore, and she lives many states away, but someday I hope she sees how important she was to me … in black and white.

Bean plants in a gray pot on a deck.

Three plants on a wooden table near a wicker seat on a deck.

I’m all about that green, and I don’t mean money (though money would be cool, too).

I just read an article about women advocating for women to lose the right to vote, and to ultimately embrace submitting to their husbands … what in the ever-loving brainwashing is this?! Get me out of this timeline 😭

I know some people don’t like living close to a rail line, but I find the call of a train comforting given I’ve heard one sound off each night in all the places I’ve felt at home.

Tree branches, blue night sky, and stars

I am living for this 66-degree evening on my porch, listening to peepers and ducks.

Being outside makes it feel less like the whole world is in crisis.

Annnnd now we have to wait til late May to use them 😭, but she’s better today.

His mouth was everywhere at once, covering her in slow kisses, bringing her breath out in bursts like the first vernal blooms.

#SenseWrds Prompt 209

Good to know!

Where’s the link? 😀

I need Asian food to survive. I could restrict myself to one area of the world, but I need Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese in addition to potatoes to be happy.

And I bet you’re highly satisfied.

Sprouting seeds in a gardening tray in front of a window.

Sprouting seeds in a gardening tray in front of a window.

Sprouting seeds in a gardening tray.

This week (and now weekend) has been all about fevers, but still, there’s something special about seeing something you planted grow.

An adult and a child laying on a couch together showing off red painted toes.

Le bebe has #FluB (she calls it flooby), but she also has fly nails 💅

Hand-drawn illustrations of Japanese buildings including a bathhouse on cardboard.

A Suess-ian take on #Ghibli.

A line drawing of a Japanese bath house on cardboard

Tonight I’m making decor for my daughter’s 4th birthday party. Sometimes I draw things … #SpiritedAway

A little girl holding a number four gold balloon over her face.

Her face is hidden enough for me to socially celebrate Meebs’ 4th birthday 🎉 I can’t believe this lovely lady is mine.

A seeding tray in a sunny window

It’s pouring outside now, but I started seeding for our container garden a few days ago 🌱

An odd chalk-based Big Bird drawing

A chalked Elmo on pavement

These two (drawn by @brentonbarnes.bsky.social) look to have gotten into something too adult. Hope they come down soon 😅

A small moon cakes with soot sprites on a plate near a bunch of cupcakes, all with eyes. They are pink and purple.

Pink and purple puffball monster cupcakes with eyeballs on a rack.

Making soot sprites and puffball monsters is not something I prepared for before becoming a mom, but here we are …

I mayyyyy have started writing two new books instead of finishing the one that is basically drafted. What can I say? I guess I’ve been naughty 😭 Off to go read now.

A plate and tray of pineapple cakes that look like muffins.

A cut open pineapple cake and a tray of pineapple cakes that look like muffins.

At the request of my daughter (post #reading “A Sweet New Year for Ren” by Michelle Sterling), we made pineapple cakes today. We didn’t have the right molds, but they were still delicious!

Carrot, yellow pepper, and green bean quick pickles in vintage green cups on a brown wood table in front of stacks of books.

Carrot, yellow pepper, and green bean quick pickles on a brown wood table.

Low-budget, but highly impressive entertainment tip: Make quick pickles and put them in vintage glassware.