Saturday 25 May 2013

Long Time No See

Unfortunately, I haven't felt much like writing in the last few days. The humidity put me into a kind of funk. Worked a little on my 5th book about a conspiracy, but didn't work very hard this week. I have to get myself in order and get out there and sell my book Shall We Chat? Revealing the Secrets of Chatting Online.

My friend, Marion, with whom I walk every weekend with our dogs, gave me some great feedback about the book Shall We Chat? She thinks it is the perfect book for anyone who is considering chatting online. They should read my book first. She has found it very interesting and learned about a whole different world. She admits that she is not about to start chatting, but she knows now what it is all about and she credits my book for that. It is wonderful to receive such a great review.

Went to yoga yesterday. It looks like I'll be going every Friday now with my friend, Yoko. It was a very difficult session last night. We had to balance ourselves in different positions which I had a hard problem doing because of the benign tumor in my right ear which causes me to have problems with balance as well my right ankle has been fused and that leg is not very strong after six operations to finally fuse it. I basically didn't use my right leg much for six years.

But after yoga, Yoko and I walked across the street to this wonderful Korean restaurant. Sorry, I can't remember the name but it is on Locke and Main Street. The food is fantastic. I so enjoy eating there.

Watching lots of hockey. I so enjoy the game and the playoffs have been exciting to watch. I am sorry that the Ottawa Senators lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins but didn't think Ottawa could beat them. Enjoying the Detroit/Chicago series too. I'm going to be so sad when the hockey season ends. However, then I can look forward to football.

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com

Sunday 19 May 2013

Mother's Day

I know Mother's Day was last Sunday but I appreciate my mother more this Sunday. All my life, my mother and I have been battling. Just different personalities and one was very sick; that being me. My poor mother had a difficult child on her hands while her husband was always busy working. Now, my mother is not the easiest person to live with and we have agreed we will never live together again, but we do end up spending more time together due to various reasons.

Last Wednesday, my mother and I went to the Shaw Festival at Niagara-on-the-Lake. My father bought tickets for the play Lady Windemere's Fan but was unable to attend so I went with my mother. I must say the play lacked, but that was the best time my mother and I ever had together. I know she enjoyed my company and I certainly enjoyed hers. No fights. No arguments. Just friends hanging out together.

And today, my mother and I were sitting in her backyard just having coffee after dinner and we had an enjoyable conversation. It was pleasant being with her and just talking. It is almost as if our relathionship has changed somehow by magic. I love my mother dearly but there have also been times when I hated her but she is my mother and the only one I've got or would ever want (unless Judi Dench becomes free).

Well, better late than never. It would be great if my mother and I can keep up this friendship. I moved four years ago to live closer to them so it would be easier to connect. For a while. I regretted this destination, but now I am content and pleased that I made the right decision. I do live in a lovely place which is quiet (necessary for a writer) and lovely (great to see nature for the mood).

So as we say goodbye to Sunday, I am a happy person. I'm doing what I love and I am loved which is a wonderful feeling. I am a lucky woman.

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com


Friday 17 May 2013

Boo Hoo Friday

Friday has come again so quickly. I cannot believe the week is over. Time seems to be flying by. Just when I think it's time to do the laundry (I only do it on weekends with cheaper hydro), it's time again. It is almost possible to blink your eyes and the week is over. I can't even remember everything I did this week.

Today was a good day. Both Kira (my dog) and Emma (my cat) were lucky enough to visit the vet today for their shots and to be checked out. I thought Kira would be more relaxed having Emma in the examination room, but no. She was terribly stressed out and very unhappy to be at the vet. She wined, barked, and couldn't sit still. Whereas, Emma seemed quite content to just smell around the room and hang out until the vet arrived.

Both are healthy and unhappily received their shots. They are doing very well for their ages. Kira is 13 and Emma is 19. Both are showing signs of age but I will let then grow old naturally. Emma would be impossible to feed pills to if she needed them so best just let her be. Kira is much easier to medicate and I give her one pill a day to ward off arthritis which she may get in her knee because it was operated on two years ago. No problems now luckily.

Sold another book! It's exciting when someone buys my book and then I know they are going to read what I have written. It makes me feel so good that people are interested in my books.

I have three weeks to finish my fourth book. I am dedicating it to my nephew who turns 13 years old in three weeks. The novel is about 10 children who, when they turn 13, fall into a coma from which they awake with the ability of telepathy. It is a story about how these children come together and how they react to life. I plan to give Aiden a copy of my book in manscript form as a present. Obviously, it will be one of a kind because what can you get kids these days? They have everything. I hope he will agree that this is a special present.

A long weekend ahead so plenty of time to write and write I will. Of course, a poker tourney will insert itself into the day when I need a break from writing. Weather should be great. Enjoy everyone!

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com

Monday 13 May 2013

Simple Happiness

Amazingly enough, it is the simple things in life which make me happy. The love of my dog and cat strengthen me and my wonderful home calms me. I love where I am living and how I live. I wouldn't have it any other way; right now. I say 'right now' because I'm a gypsy at heart and find it difficult to remain in one place for very long. From the age of 20, the longest I have lived in one place is here at four years. During the last 30 years, I would move every 2 to 3 years; even every year. I couldn't get comfortable anywhere and, after some time, I would get itchy feet and feel the need to change my environment albeit a house, city or country.

I am receiving positive feedback about my book Shall We Chat? Revealing the Secrets of Chatting Online available on Amazon, see link: http://www.amazon.com/Shall-We-Chat-Revealing-Chatting/dp/1484800761

I hope to stock the store shelves of Chapters in Meadowlands, Ancaster, in Coles at University Plaza, Dundas, and at the Hamilton Library. I am waiting to hear back from the managers. The manager at Coles is lovely and said I should let her know when I receive my next shipment of the book. Then she will let me know if she will take any. I sure hope so. I've known that Coles store since I was a child. It seems like it has always been there and where I would buy all my books. It would be amazing to have my book sold there!

Each day promises new excitement for me. Life definitely isn't boring at the moment. Though the weather has cooled down somewhat, it is sunny and bright which cheers the mood.

 have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com

Thursday 9 May 2013

It's Green

Spring is pushing through the soft ground and we are finally seeing lots of beautiful fresh green grass and a variety of colourful flowers. I love this time of year. It is wonderful taking the dog for a walk and enjoying the bright neighbourhood. People around here really care about their lawns and gardens. There is very little garbage finding itself around the area which is great when you have a dog who picks up everything.

It is also green when compared to money. I approached a local bookstore to carry my book. The manager took my copy of Shall We Chat? and she is going to read it. I told her I would have the good copies next week or so. She said to call then, but it looks optimistic. There are other franchises of that store all around Ontario. If one store will carry it, then maybe more will. It surely is exciting for me.

Two people have bought my book. I now classify myself as a published author. My brother bought a Kindle version. I'm looking forward to what he has to say. He has never read anything I have written. No reason really. He also doesn't chat so it will be interesting to see if he enjoys the book. I still need to see my book on a bookstore's shelf, but I am very happy the way things are going. The marketing work is a lot more fun than I expected.

I'm one happy person. Life is finally moving for me. Took long enough. :)

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com

Wednesday 8 May 2013

Ready for Sale

Shall We Chat? is now available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Shall-We-Chat-Revealing-Chatting/dp/1484800761

Please buy a copy for all your friends, family, neighbours, co-workers, etc. Okay, that is a bit much, but could you buy one for yourself? I would be interested in your opinions.

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com


Tuesday 7 May 2013

Yoga tonight

Finally, Shall We Chat? Revealing the Secrets of Chatting Online passed the review process and I was able to spend the night editing and proofing my book again. I uploaded the new version and hopefully it will muster the test. I will be able to proof read it again tomorrow. This is painstaking work. I haven't concentrated so hard since I was in university. Definitely mental gymnastics.

 Now I have to just sit back and wait to hear back from Amazon. You do a lot of waiting in this business. I waited weeks and months to hear back from publishers and agents. Rarely did the agent ever return an email. Do they just delete them all?

The publishers make you wait two to three months just to receive a reply that your book isn't right for their firm. Do they have to make you wait so long? Maybe they need to hire more editors!

At the moment, I'm also waiting to hear from my editor about my second book, Waiting for Love Online. It is a non-fictional account of my year long internet relationship with a Canadian Naval sailor. Hopefully, there will not be too many corrections. I plan to publish this book upon completion.

Last year, one publisher did offer to publish my first book, Locker Rooms, but he demanded I buy 50 books upon publishing for the full price plus the price of shipping them to my house. Also, the royalties were low and I was only to be paid twice a year. As an unpublished author, the contract looked like water in a desert but I declined. In addition, I had read some bad reviews about the firm.

I am so much happier self-publishing through Amazon and Createspace. The experience has been completely and absolutely free and as simple as can be. It is a lot of work and responsibility to self-publish, but I think this is the best option for me. I am pleased with what has been achieved so far.

Tonight, my friend Yoko is taking me to her yoga class. I have been once before. I found it hilarious but a good workout. I was sweating. Since I am still flexible, I was able to complete most of the poses but it's not as easy as it looks.

At the beginning and end of each class, people lie on the mats with a blanket over them and a pillow under their heads and knees. Now my friend, who is as active as a hummingbird (and looks like one), falls asleep and begins to snore. During the "sleep" after the class, I looked over at Yoko and also the other people in the room which reminded me of dead bodies and I began to laugh. I did my best not to make a sound; the room was silent, but my body shook in laughter. I hope I don't laugh tonight.

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com

Monday 6 May 2013

Yeh! Monday

As I said in my last entry, I don't like weekends and I so look forward to Monday. Yes, I love Mondays. It is the beginning of a new week where anything is possible.

What is possible is that I received my first copies of my book, Shall We Chat? Revealing the Secerts of Chatting Online. I finally have it published in book form. It looks great but there is one major problem: no page numbers. I don't know how this happened but I changed the book a number of times and I guess the last version deleted my page numbers. What a pain, eh?

I'm waiting for Amazon to complete the review of my book and, when that has been completed, I will be able to go back into my book and add the page numbers before I can advise anyone that it is available for sale. So, sorry that you are just going to have to wait a little longer to buy my book.

Was another beautiful day. It's lovely only having to wear a T-shirt outside. I hope no more coats.

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com


Saturday 4 May 2013

Weekends

It may sound funny, but I don't like weekends. No business can be conducted and everything that is available to be accomplished during the work week cannot be done on the weekend. I was told by Amazon, that Shall We Chat? will be available for purchasing in 5-7 business days. So the weekend doesn't count and you end up having two empty days in which to wait for business.

Of course, I can always write on the weekends and, sometimes, I am able to complete more work because no other business can take place. I must admit that I work 7 days a week. There is not one day that I take off but honestly I'm not a hard task master. If nothing else is taking place, then I'm able to write. However, if I am playing in an online poker tournament, I don't write as much though often I write between dealt hands.

The best part of the weekend is that I am able to meet with Marion and her dog, Gracie, and go for a walk. Marion is great to walk with because she likes to tell stories and I love listening to her. I always learn something from her and it is wonderful having company on my walks. I try and walk Kira once a day, but it gets boring going alone all the time. I do have an Ipod which greatly assists in dispelling the boredom, but there is nothing better than another human joining me.

I'm watching the Leaf/Bruin hockey game. A man, who lost both his legs in the Boston bombing, was on the ice waving the flag. Wow, that is just so horrific. To go from a carefree and independent lifestyle to a wheelchair is just not something I cannot get my head around. I may complain when I'm depressed or hypomanic, but I have no right to complain compared to that man. At least, I can get up and go wherever I want. I have so much respect for people unable to do same.

 As I just said, I have a great respect for people with disabilities maybe because I am disabled too. But physical disabilities are different from emotional and mental ones. Where the physical impairments may stop you from walking, you may have the mental discipline to succeed. Someone with a menal or emotional disability may not be able to get out of bed even if all their limbs work.

Boy it's lonely watching these playoff hockey games alone. Anyone out there want to join me?

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com


Thursday 2 May 2013

Impatience

Patience is a virtue with which I have difficulties. For the past few years, I have always been waiting for something or someone. I waited patiently for all the publishers and agents to reply to my letters to them. I waited patiently for a few men in my life. But, I'm not a patient person. The sense of waiting swirls around in my empty mind and requires confidence to remind me that there is nothing you can do but wait. It is out of my control which is difficult to accept. I love planning things which I cannot do while I'm waiting so it's like having your hands tied behind your back.

I'm feeling impatient now for my book to be available on Amazon and to receive the copies I have ordered so that I can get out and begin introducing myself to the world. I don't enjoy just sitting here waiting. I want to make plans and get organized to sell my book, but I have to wait. Ah.

In addition, I am waiting for my editor to complete her work on my second book, Waiting for Love Online, about my internet relationship with a Canadian sailor. I hope to correct any problems with the book and publish it as well, but that won't be for a while. I'm looking forward to getting that book out since it is an excellent representation of a typical online internet affair that many people go through. I hope people will identify with me and, therefore, enjoy the book.

While all this is going on, I am also working on my fourth book, That Truthful Place, about children who develop telepathy. It is a science fiction novel and I am enjoying writing it. It is completely from my imagination; even the characters. The people in my novels are completely imagined and do not resemble any person living or dead. They are all my creation.

It is amazing that May has arrived. Time is flying by, but finally the weather is warm and sunny.

have fun,
patty
www.pattylesser.com