CreativeLife update: being a dog parent, changing my mind, and planning something new

 Hey there creative friend!

With the A-to-Z blog challenge ending this week, I for one am grateful that the end of the month is in sight. The past two months have difficult to say the least. I mentioned the struggles with a broken geyser in past posts, but I haven't mentioned losing a dog. She died at home while I was alone and my husband was away. It was hard, but a good friend of mine helped which made the whole event less traumatic for me.

Then two weeks ago, on the eve of my husband having an obligation away from home, our only remaining dog got sick. He had not been himself the whole day, so we decided to take him to the vet. Initial prognosis? Heart failure or poisoning. It was a shock to say the least, but the vet kept him overnight for blood tests and an X-ray. Turns out he contracted pneumonia of all things. Apparently something rare for a dog.

But his heart is fine (very grateful for that) and obviously his blood work was okay otherwise. He stayed at the vet's for three days. I went to visit while hubs was away (we decided he should go after the diagnosis) and then we both visited him when hubs returned home. He came home on the Sunday, and we are being careful to care for him given the nasty weather the past few days, and restricting his physical activities as best we can. He is doing much better, but he is not a young dog so we are still careful to make sure he gets the best care.

Of course, he is loving all the attention, and just wants to play with his ball. 😂💜

What I am learning this week YouTube

I have been contemplating writing a guide book for the Nations of Peace series. I like having my characters appearing in multiple books, although the individual stories are standalone. But in my writer's brain, their stories are one big story happening in episodes. The plan was to write the guide after publication of the 10th novel (which has now happened) and make it available for free. But I changed my mind.

Two newly bound sketchbook/junk journals and embroidery on a piece of card
(as if I don't already have too many sketchbooks 🤦🏼‍♀️ LOL!)

Instead of writing a book, I thought to rather do a blog series about the origin of the characters, the planets where they live, and things like that. Since it is a fiction series, and fantasy, their universe is purely a figment of my imagination. I don't know if it will be of interest to anyone, especially if you haven't read, or plan to read my books, but to me it will be a living history of the novels that I have written, and will write in the future.

The current plan is another ten books, but we'll see how it goes.

I don't know when I will start the blog series, but I am excited about sharing more about the stories and process of writing a series across multiple genres.

There are a few more posts coming in the A-to-Z challenge this week, and then my blogging schedule will revert to the normal one or two per month.

Until next time!

🇿🇦💜 Linzé