protect your heart

Those words are sprayed on the sidewalk not too far from my home, a useful reminder these days when the news is so bleak. I find myself tearing up a lot while scrolling through my Facebook feed so I think it’s time to take a step back. We’re close to having a finished cover for The Return; I had the cover art retouched and hope Nyla will appear a bit browner once the book prints (all art seems to print a few shades darker with CreateSpace). I’ve got four more chapters to finish; I hit my word goal (30K) but missed by mid-June self-imposed deadline. Some days I write over a thousand words and some days I don’t write at all. Trying to be gentle with myself, and trust that the story will unfold in its own time. I’m eating vegan most days but overall I’d say I’m at 80% for the week (ice cream happened). Purple Wong has started working on Benny Doesn’t Like to Be Hugged and when I’m not writing, I’m reading long, complicated novels that take my mind off the many lives lost around the world this month.

It’s the first day of summer! I’m heading to the park for a power walk and then maybe I’ll see a matinee later on if I get some writing done. Seeing art with a friend on Friday, taking a hike with another friend on Sunday…taking care of myself as best I can. Please do the same!