There are a lot of misconceptions and misinformation out there about witches, so let’s debunk them and get some facts straight, shall we?

This was a post for my blog tour years ago that is no longer on the other blogger's site (which I had linked to on my website...bummer), so I am sharing it here on my own blog.

1. Witches fly on broomsticks at night.

False. Witches use brooms to cleanse sacred spaces and sweep away negative energy.

2. The pentagram is the sign of evil.

False. The pentagram represents the earth element and the feminine force.

3. Practical Magic isn’t just the name of a book/movie, but a type of magic.

True. Practical magick is the use of magic for practical means, such as for healing and medicinal use through herbs, tea, soap, candles, and aroma therapy.

4. Witches wear pointed hats.

True. A pointed hat represents a cone of power flowing from a higher source into the witch’s mind. They are mostly worn during rituals.

5. Witches sacrifice animals for spells and rituals.

False. Witches believe animals and everything on earth, including trees and rocks, are sacred. 

6. Witches serve in the military.

True. This is an old statistic, but as of 2006, an estimated 1,800 witches served in the US Military.

7. Everyone who practices Wicca is a witch.

False. Not every witch is Wiccan, nor is every Wiccan a witch.

8. Witches perform spells to attract things they want.

True. Witches do try to attract good things they want with spells (which can be elaborate rituals or a simple spell bottle containing herbs and crystals), chanting, or visualization, but they don’t cast a spell that harms others or takes away someone’s free will. They may bind someone from causing harm, though, or energetically cut ties.

9. Wiccans honor the gods and goddesses only.

False. Many witches pray to the Christian God and believe that all spiritual paths (Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc.) are equally valid. A witch can pray to whatever higher power they choose, from a single Goddess to Mother Earth. Some even refer connect to what they call "spirit." 

10. Witches have hooked noses and warts.

False. Witches look like everyone else. They look like me.

BLURB: Detective Reid Sanders doesn’t believe in the supernatural, but when he’s faced with a crime scene that defies the laws of nature, he has no other choice but to start believing. And solving a magical murder involves working with a witch.

Liberty Sawyer embodies the look of your classic evil witch, so, it’s no surprise when she uncovers the murderer is a witch that she becomes Reid’s number one suspect. If she can’t convince him otherwise, more people could lose their lives to dark magic, including her.

EBOOK: Nook / Kobo / iTunes / Google Play / Scribd / Amazon 

The Story Graph / BookBub / Goodreads

Today I'm bringing you a character interview with Simone Rose, a medical examiner, from Ghost of Death, my short paranormal suspense eBook available for 99 cents. This was a post for my blog tour years ago that is no longer on the other blogger's site (and which I had linked to on my website...bummer), so I am sharing it here on my own blog.

Name: Simone Rose

Place of Employment: Aurora Police Department

Occupation: Medical Examiner

Actress: Amy Lee (who is really a singer from the band Evanescence.)

Chrys: Hey, Simone. Sorry for making you come into the lobby of the department, but I didn’t exactly want to be near any dead bodies.

Simone: No worries, Chrys. But you know, they don’t bite. 

Chrys: I figured that.

Simone: Although, they sometimes burp.

Chrys: *blinks* Really? Never mind. Are you ready to answer a few questions.

Simone: Absolutely. The DB’s will keep for a few minutes.

1. So, why did you decide to be a medical examiner?

I was always different. *shrugs* As a child, I would sit in my room all day reading murder mysteries. I got into medical science young and volunteered at a morgue for school credit. Many people would think it weird, but I feel as though I have more in common with the dead than the living.

2. What’s the worst type of corpse(s) you’ve had to work on?

The worse, by far, are floaters. You know, those bodies that have been in water for days. Not only are they bloated, discolored, slimy, stinky, and covered with maggot but...two words...skin slippage.

3. Ick! Can you tell us about the body on your table now? I hope it’s not a floater.

Not a floater...a young woman. She’s twenty-one, and she’s a beauty. She’s how I would imagine my daughter, if I had a daughter. She was murdered last night, her throat slit, and I’m doing everything I can to find evidence to help Detective Avrianna Heavenborn close this case.

4. What do you do when you’re not working?

I’m an intimate creature by nature and I like to spend time with members of the opposite sex. With that said, let your imagination run wild.

5. Oh. *clears throat* Okay. Umm...how would you describe death?

Death is a spiritual journey we all eventually go on and it’s unique to each of us. It’s not the end, but a doorway to much more. What that more is won’t be known until we take that journey; when it’s our time.

Chrys: Thanks for your time, Simone.

Simone: And thanks for yours, Chrys. I’m just going to go back to make sure none of the DB’s are walking around. I sure hate it when they do that!

Chrys: *laughs* 

Avrianna Heavenborn is determined to find the person responsible for a young woman’s death. She gets closer to the killer’s identity with every clue she uncovers, and Jolie is with her every step of the way.

But if they don’t solve her murder soon, Jolie will be an earth-bound spirit forever.

EBOOK: Nook / Kobo / iTunes / Google Play / Scribd / Amazon

Once, on social media, I read comments between two authors who mocked Hallmark Christmas movies, and they laughed over the idea of them writing stories like that. One writer responded, “Shoot me now.” The other asked a moral quandary question that went like this: “Would you write those cheesy stories if you knew you’d be able to support your family?” The one who asked added that she would because she’s a “sellout.”

That conversation, which I did not get involved in, stuck with me.

Dialogue like that, in public settings, can put other writers down. Someone who writes sweet romances with Hallmark-like vibes may have seen that and felt ridiculed for writing stories that make them happy, and also uplifts the spirits of so many people.

Writing “cheesy stories,” Hallmark-esque stories, sweet romances, romantic-comedies is NOT selling out. 

Nor is writing erotica, a genre that has becoming increasing popular over the years.

What we write is personal. It’s a decision.

No one has the right to make the decision for anyone else what genres and types of stories are worthy of being written. We all get to make that decision for ourselves.

One writer may not like science fiction. One may not enjoy horror. Another may not like romance of any subgenre.

That’s fine. As long as you don’t claim that certain genres are more superior than others. Or certain genres are crap.

Every genre has a purpose. Fantasy. Sweet romance. True crime. Erotica. Just because it may not be your cup of tea doesn’t mean it’s any less.

Writing a Hallmark-inspired story isn’t selling out if it’s truly what you want to do. 

Neither is writing erotica.

Both ends of the romance spectrum exist for a reason. 

As long as you’re staying true to yourself and your creativity, don’t let anyone make you feel bad for the stories you write.

In Ghost of Death, my short paranormal suspense eBook available for 99 cents, pizza is very significant to the story. I won’t reveal why or in what way, but because it is important, it had me thinking about the pizza I make to eat. One of my favorites is one that I make at night for a late snack. Below is the recipe for a quick and easy pizza. 

NOTE: This was a post for my blog tour years ago that is no longer on the other blogger's site (and which I had linked to on my website...bummer), so I am sharing it here on my own blog. What’s an even bigger bummer is that this wasn’t the only post no longer on another blogger’s site that I had on my website as bonus content for my books, and I lost two really good character interviews because I didn’t have them saved. *sigh* 

Flour Tortilla Pizza

Need:

Flour Tortillas

Marinara sauce

Shredded mozzarella cheese (cheddar is also good)

Pepperoni (if you want it)

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Put a flour tortilla on a cookie sheet.

3. Spread marinara sauce of your choosing on the flour tortilla. I have used pizza and pasta sauce. Both are good.

4. Add pepperoni if you want it.

5. Sprinkle on shredded mozzarella cheese. Sometimes I didn’t have mozzarella so I used cheddar. You can even mix them.

6. Pop into oven. Keep a close eye on it because it doesn’t take long for it to get done. 5 – 10 minutes depending on how crispy you want it to get.

7. Use a knife to cut it, let cool a moment, and then enjoy!

BLURB: Jolie Montgomery, a twenty-one-year-old woman, wakes up in an alley next to her corpse. She has no memories of her murder or the night she died. She didn’t even see the killer’s face before he or she took her life. Wanting justice, Jolie seeks answers in the only way a ghost can...by stalking the lead detective on the case. 

Avrianna Heavenborn is determined to find the person responsible for a young woman’s death. She gets closer to the killer’s identity with every clue she uncovers, and Jolie is with her every step of the way.

But if they don’t solve her murder soon, Jolie will be an earth-bound spirit forever.

EBOOK: Nook / Kobo / iTunes / Google Play / Scribd / Amazon

This was a post for my blog tour years ago that is no longer on the other blogger's site (and which I had linked to on my website...bummer), so I am sharing it here on my own blog.

This interview is coming to you from a Florida prison. I’m sitting at a table, waiting for David Buckland aka Buck to be brought in by guards. I’m a bit nervous. I only have a few minutes to ask him questions and he’s not exactly warm and fuzzy. But I don’t have any more time to think about that because here he comes.

*Buck takes a seat across from me, the guard backs away after shackling buff to the table.*

Chrys: Thanks for meeting with me.

Buck: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Not like I had a real choice in the matter.

Chrys: Okay. First question . . .

1. How did you get caught up in Jackson Storm’s drug ring?

*laughs* You think I was dragged into it by Chewy? I was the one who brought him into it. The narcotics kept in the department are a gold mind. All the money! Through street contacts, I linked up with Jackson. He liked the idea of cops working for him, so I approached Chewy and a few others in the department who I knew had the same hunger for money. It didn’t take long before cops from other precincts joined us.

2. But you ran into a problem; You were caught. How did that happen?

We weren’t as careful as we should’ve been. People started to notice narcs going missing and an investigation started. We thought we covered our bases by bribing the man in charge of the evidence locker, but we were wrong…he snitched.

3. So you killed him?

Yes.

4. Just as you killed the Internal Affairs Investigator who found out—Ryan Goldwyn.

We had to kill him. He put his nose in our business. We had to get rid of him to eliminate the threat of our operation going under.

5. And yet it still went under because of his brother, Donovan. Do you have anything to say to him?

Yeah. He better look over his shoulder for the rest of his life.

Beth Kennedy may not know everything about Donovan, but she can’t deny what she feels for him. It’s her love for him that pushes her to do whatever she has to do to help him get justice, including putting herself in a criminal’s crosshairs.

When a tip reveals the killer's location, they travel to California, but then an earthquake of catastrophic proportions separates them. As aftershocks roll the land, Beth and Donovan have to endure dangerous conditions while trying to find their way back to one another. Will they reunite and find the killer, or will they lose everything?

Dear Marketing Conflicted Writer,

Do you worry about having to sell yourself and your book?

Many writers do. For some, the fear and aversion to selling is so strong that they do nothing to promote their books, which is absolutely in their right. No one has to do what they truly don’t want to do. If promoting yourself and your books fills you with anxiety and insecurity, don’t do it. You’ll be happier for it. At the same time, you have to be okay with accepting the possible results of not promoting—fewer sales, fewer reviews.

Then there are the writers who want to promote but worry about others thinking they’ve sold out. Why? Because there are artists out there who believe marketing is a bad thing, that real artists shouldn’t stoop so low as to promote their work, that the people who do are only after fame and fortune. They say you’ve “sold out.”

I am here to tell you that promoting and marketing and branding are not bad things. 

We all have different goals.

We all have different ideas of success. Even of art.

As it should be.

We all have the right to choose for ourselves what’s right for us and our art. No one else has the say. No one else’s opinions matter. 

You are a real artist if you promote, and you are a real artist if you don’t.

Dear Writer with a Problematic Story,

If something isn’t working, let it be.

Sometimes, no matter what we do, a story isn’t working out the way we want it to. Despite trying. Despite determination. Despite the best of intentions.

When this happens, the best thing we can do is to let it be.

Not to forget it.

Not to give up on it.

Definitely not to trash it.

But to set it aside. Put it on the backburner. Let it breathe without you hoovering over it, picking at its bones and tearing it apart again and again. Give it some space from YOU. Give it a break and time to rest from your relentless hammering.

When you do this, you’re giving yourself a break and space from it, too. That time away will give you the rest you need, so that when you do come back to your story you will have a clear mind and fresh eyes to better solve the problem standing in your way. 

For now, though, you have to let it be. It’s okay to do that. It’s acceptable. It’s fine. 

Let.

It.

Be.

I’m highlighting children’s books with LGBTQIA+ rep or by LGBTQIA+ authors for Pride Month. These are harmless books that are banned or people want to be banned, which is precisely why I read them and why I’m spotlighting them on my blog. I’m grateful that my local libraries carried these. 

Read banned books!

Read books by LGBTQIA+ authors!

Read books with LGBTQIA+ representation!

Read books about gender identity to children!

Fight for these books to stay accessible to all readers!

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson:

A cute, real story about two male penguins who chose each other and were blessed with a baby of their own to love and care for, making their family whole.

Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack:

I adored this story about a prince who knew what he wanted and found that love with a knight. And EVERYONE welcomed their love. 

Tale of the Shadow King by Daniel Haack: 

A nice follow-up to Prince & Knight. Perhaps not as special, but it still carries the important message that it’s okay to be different, and that no one should be shunned or harmed for being different.

This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman:

A simple picture book with stunning and colorful illustrations that celebrates love. I’ve never been to a Pride Parade, but this story made me want to go to one. 

Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders:

A wonderful story about how the rainbow flag came to be. It made me cry. First with sadness and then with joy and pride.

Stonewall: A Building, An Uprising, A Revolution by Rob Sanders:

A great picture book about the Stonewall uprising. It’s written in the perspective of the building—originally two stable houses—which is unique and I loved.

When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff:

A lovely story about a child who knew he was a boy, and whose parents accepted that. The three of them, especially Aidan, want to make sure they don’t make the same mistakes with the new baby. This is a great lesson for siblings and parents about not assuming gender and how you can alter your way of thinking and actions.

Born Ready by Jodie Patterson:

A cute story about how a child is finally able to embrace their true identity and how his family accepts him and loves him regardless.

Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty:

A fun story with brilliant rhymes and wackiness that had me laughing, which means kids will surely burst with laughter.

Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lebel:

A cute collection that demonstrates how to be a best friend, a good friend.

The story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf:

A sweet story that teaches kids it’s okay to be different.

William’s Doll by Charlotte Zolotow:

An older story with a message still relevant today. Kids should be able to play with whatever toys they wants. Toys shouldn’t be gendered. Girls can play with skateboards, and boys can play with dolls. A boy who learns how to care for a doll is preparing for being a father. ❤️

Teddy’s Favorite Toy by Christian Timmy:

A boy’s favorite toy can be a beautiful porcelain doll.

Angus All Aglow by Heather Smith and Alice Carter:

Angus loves things that sparkle and glitter and gleam. He loves his grandma’s necklace that she gifts him when she realizes it brings him joy, but when he wears it to school, the reaction of the other kids dims that joy.

Pink Is for Boys by Bobb Pearlman:

This board book demonstrates that all colors are for all people.

Julian Is A Mermaid by Jessica Love:

Julian loves mermaids and learns to embrace his mermaid-self.

The Boy & the Bindi by Vivek Shraya:

About a boy who has always been fascinated by the dot on his mothership forehead and learns of the magic it can bring you when you wear it.

I’m Not A Girl by Maddox Lyons and Jessica Verdi, Calvin by JR and Vanessa Ford, Jack (Not Jackie) by Erica Silverman are about kids who know exactly who they are and who find the courage to tell their loved ones who that is.

Pride Puppy by Robin Stevenson and Julie McLaughlin is a a cute alphabet story with vivid illustrations.

In Our Mother’s House by Patricia Polacco is perfect for Mother’s Day and Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schaffer is actually set during Mother’s Day but can also be enjoyed on Father’s Day.

Maiden & Princess by Daniel Haack is a “love is love” story set during fairytale/medieval times.

Rainbow Revolutions: Power, Pride, and Protest in the Fight for Queer Rights by Jamie Lawson and Eve Lloyd Knight (an illustrated collection).

Identity: A Story of Transistioning by Corey Maison (a YA graphic novel).

I am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings (a picture book).

NOTE: I blocked out an adult graphic novel that’s not suitable for kids because of the illustrated sex scenes.

Dear Perfectionist Writer,

In my post “Dear Stuck Writer,” I discussed how people could say you’re blocked because you’re not willing to embrace imperfect art and how that statement is not accurate for all artists. But now I want to discuss actually seeking perfection.

Aiming for perfection in the first draft (even your final draft) can cause exhaustion and lead to burnout. It can cause your muse to cross their arms and run away. 

It is okay to write a sentence that’s two words long. Sometimes I write a sentence that’s a single word long.

It is okay to write a sentence that is subpar.

It is okay to write a wordy sentence.

It is okay to write a boring paragraph.

It is okay to write a paragraph that is two sentences long, or one sentence long.

It is okay to write a lengthy paragraph.

It is okay to write a short chapter.

It is okay to write a long chapter.

It is okay to write lackluster dialogue.

It is okay to use adjectives.

It is okay to use adverbs.

It is okay to tell.

Why is all of that okay?

Because perfection is not (and should not) be the goal when we’re writing the first draft of a story. Our goal right now is to write the book. Each draft or round of revisions/edits after that will make it better and better. 

With that said, remember that perfection is an impossible goal to have at any time, even for your final draft before publication. A few typos can sneak by, even after a book is professionally edited and has gone through several rounds. Not all readers will praise your book and love it as you do. There will always be critics.

That is okay, too. It’s normal. It’s expected.

Do the best you can, put out the best work you can, and be proud of it!

QUESTION: Are you a perfectionist when it comes to writing?

Below is a letter I wrote to my mom for a project called Dear Mom that was turned into a book with limited availability and a play for a short time. I wrote it in 2014.

Dear Mom,

As a baby, you nurtured me. When I was born only six pounds and was rapidly losing weight, threatened with being put back into the hospital, you sweetly stuffed me with food to keep me in your arms at home. As a child, you taught me how to read and write; the very two things that have become my passion. You taught me how to smile the same smile that you have, and laugh. And yes, you taught me how to love. Quietly.

As a teenager, you nurtured me again. When I was enveloped in pain from scoliosis, lying with my face buried in my pillow, you would massage my sore back with your arthritis fingers so I could fall asleep. After the surgery to correct my spine, you took care of me every second of every day. I felt a lot of pain, shed tears, and had many bad days, but you were there for it all. 

Moving with a rod screwed into my spine was very difficult at first. Walking to the mailbox would drain my energy, but you walked with me to help me build my strength, gently pushing me to go a few steps farther each time. You slathered ointment onto my sensitive scar and even shaved my prickly legs.

Throughout my teenage years, we moved many times because we didn’t have the money to stay in one place, but you kept a roof over my head no matter what. For awhile, I didn’t have a bed to sleep on, but I always had a room to sleep in, and that is all thanks to you. You did what you had to do to keep me sheltered and to keep food in my belly, even walking to work in the blaze of Florida heat.

As a young woman, you taught me to never give up. When I left high school, you never made me feel like a failure. You helped me to keep my chin up and push for the future that we both knew I could have.

Although I am older now, you still do so much for me. You understand me and the situation I am in that is keeping me locked in place, like a ballerina stuck on a jewelry box. You are content with helping me until my true destiny decides to kick in. Whenever it does, you are happy waiting with me. And you are the best passenger I could ask for!

In a million years, I will never be able to pay you back for all you have done and are still doing for me. If you weren’t you, I would be lost. You are my writing buddy, my healer, and my friend. Someday, I hope to be able to do for you what you have done for me. After all, you raised me into the woman I am today, and for that I am so very thankful.

Love,

       Your Quietly Loving Daughter

In that letter I said, "Someday, I hope to be able to do for you what you have done for me." When I found this shortly after she passed away and read that, I cried, because I had been given that chance. I wouldn't have wanted it to happen that way (never in a million years would I have wanted her to get lung cancer), but I was able to do for her what she had always done for me. I cared for her in every way I knew how, in every way I could. And I loved her deeply. I believe she was my soulmate. She used to call us two-peas-in-a-pod, and we were. We were writing buddies and best friends.

Left: My mom, Right: Me

Below is a poem I wrote for my mom when I was sixteen. Published years later on May 3, 2013.

The Angel

Is this what I’m seeing?

An angel with delicate wings spread out as wide as the seas?

She did not speak but I could hear her singing loudly,

she smiled at me and it seemed to touch my soul.

If a smile could be measured in feet, hers would be too long to beat.

She could take away my pain day by day,

she could take me away from this never-ending story, but she didn’t.

She only fluttered her wings in the golden light surrounding us.

I wanted to cry but I was too scared to cry,

I wanted to hide but I wanted to be found,

all she did was wait as if she were waiting for the end of time.

So I waited too, I waited for God’s light to lift me up,

I waited for the angel to hug me tight, but she never moved.

Her beautiful feet never touched the ground,

her young face never turned around,

her graceful arms never lifted a pound.

She was still, as still as anything can get,

but her voice grew louder in the distance as the light grew brighter.

Then she stretched out her perfect arm and opened her hand,

extending her long delicate fingers, she spoke, “Take my hand.”

Her hand felt icy but hot, her voice sounded happy but mad,

her hair was still but blowing in the wind madly,

she was everything all put together.

Her singing stopped but her smile grew louder.

She lifted me up from where I sat and filled my heart with joy,

she took me away to Heaven, but was it really Heaven?

I didn’t feel hurt or tired anymore.

No runny nose made me sniffle, no cough made me gasp,

no sneeze made me wheeze, but my eyes filled with tears.

I didn’t know what was happening until the rain fell from my eyes,

and I could see that the angel holding my hand up in Heaven

was my mother holding my hand in bed.

Below is the inside of a Mother’s Day card I gave to my mom in 2009. Every word is true today. And will remain true forever.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!

Napping has been proven to have many benefits, from relieving stress to improving test scores in students. By taking 20 to 30-minute naps in the middle of serious studying, students were able to retain more of what they had studied than students who didn’t take a nap.

Naps also can replenish our energy, but the key is to take a short nap. If you nap for an hour or more, you can wake up feeling more tired than when you laid down. Lying in bed, however, for 20 to 30 minutes is much more restful. All you need is a short nap to revive you for the rest of your day.

When you are suffering from depression, naps may be necessary. Many of us who suffer from depression can struggle with sleeping at night. I would lay in bed for hours, tossing and turning, while my brain yakked on and on about every topic, analyzed the day I had, and thought about the next day. By the time I finally fell asleep, my sleep wasn’t truly restful. In my dreams, I felt awake, as if I lived them.

Each day, I was extremely tired, hardly able to function. The only thing I could do was take a nap, and I did. I’d sleep for a couple of hours, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Yes, I lost a lot of time during the day, but I needed that sleep. After my nap, I’d finally be able to get work some done, and I made the most of it. I accomplished a lot, so no one knew I was experiencing depression or took long naps. No one ever saw me lagging behind, either, and I wanted to keep it that way.

If you find yourself in the same position, do not feel guilty for taking naps. You need it. Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for napping, either. Tell them about your struggle and how tired you are. If they care, they will see your physical and mental exhaustion and encourage you to get some rest.

Nighttime:

One thing that helps me to focus my mind at night, so it doesn’t jump from this to that, is thinking about my current work-in-progress. This is my favorite bedtime ritual. I’ve done it since the age of twelve, when I started to write my first novel. It’s almost like daydreaming with your eyes closed and while you are stretched out in bed. Granted, this does keep me awake for a while, but I have never been one to fall asleep quickly. I need something that’ll tire out my brain. (As though all my writing and thinking during the day isn’t enough…it isn’t.)

The bonus to this is the wonderful ideas I get. I concoct whole conversations this way and come up with scenes and plot twists. All it takes is pondering my story, my characters, where I am currently in the story, and what I know will be coming next. It’s so much fun for me.

If you have a hard time keeping yourself from agonizing over the day or worrying about tomorrow, think about the story you’re working on. Let your characters occupy your thoughts and talk to you. Imagine what could happen. See the potential. Any sparks that come from this fantasizing are meant to be. I tend to remember these sparks, but you may want to have a notebook and pen handy to jot down notes to remind yourself of your fresh, new ideas.

Now, snuggle up in bed. I give you full permission.

More, give yourself full permission. 

Many writers start writing at a young age, but not every writer does. Some may start in college. Others may start after they’ve settled down with a family. Still, there are many writers who start later in life, during their retirement. Whatever age you get bitten by the writing bug is when you are meant to start writing. It doesn’t matter if you are a child, an adult, a parent with a job, or retired. When you get the writing spark (a spark for a story) let it burn and write.

There is no age limit to being a writer or for when someone can start writing.

My mom started writing before she married my father, but she put it aside as she had children, as many mothers do. Then, when I was about five years old (the youngest child in the family), she started to write children’s stories. She picked up writing on and off as she did all the duties of a stay-at-home mom and continued when she had part-time jobs. She wrote adult stories as well, set during the pioneer times. Finally, when we were teenagers and able to take care of ourselves, she got back in to writing full force.

No matter your age or responsibilities, writing will always find you.

There is no age limit to publishing, either. My mom published her first children’s books after her full retirement. She couldn’t be happier, and it fills me with joy to see her dream coming true.

I know many writers who started later in life, and I think it is wonderful. One person told me that when she was young, someone told her she would be a writer, but she decided she wouldn’t write until her body went. In other words, when she wasn’t able to physically work anymore. So, she’s writing now, but she added these words, “Except, it’s too late.”

No, it is never too late to start something.

It is never too late to begin a new dream or to pick one up you’ve pushed to the side. It is never too late to do something for yourself.

It is never too late to write or be an artist.

Grandma Moses started to paint in earnest at the age of 78, and she rose to great success. Laura Ingalls Wilder started writing at forty, but she was in her sixties when Little House in the Big Woods was published. Frank McCourt published Angela’s Ashes when he was 66. Millard Kaufman, co-creator of Mr. Magoo, began writing Bowl of Cherries at the age of 86, but it wasn’t published until he was 90. And James A. Michner wrote 40 books after the age of 40.

Whatever age you start writing or publishing doesn’t matter as long as you are doing it and living your dream. Don’t let anyone tell you that you are too old to write or publish.

BONUS A TO Z

THEME: AVRIANNA HEAVENBORN

Y - YOU

You don’t need love to be a writer...and by that, I mean you don’t need to have ever loved or been loved back by a significant other, by someone special, to write about love. You may not be in love right now, but you may write the sweetest romances. You could be a damn good romance author and have never been in a serious relationship. You could write the most realistic love scenes and have never been kissed. You could have a broken heart but write the most beautiful love stories with the best happily-ever-after endings. You may have never been and may never be married, but you could write about married characters people love and wish they knew...even wish they were.

That is the beauty of our imaginations. We can conjure things in our minds and make them real with our words. That, my friends, is the power of being a writer.

You won’t always have gone through the same things as your characters, but you can still write about them. You may not have experienced true love or love at first sight or love period, but you know your fantasies. You know your heart.

I have never been in a tsunami, and yet I wrote an amazingly realistic tsunami scene and the aftermath. I have never done half the things my characters have done or gone through what they have endured, but I write their stories as realistically as I can. I have never been in the sort of relationship my characters Beth and Donovan are in, but that didn’t stop me from writing about their love, from the moment they meet through all of the steps of a strong, loving partnership. I hear lovely feedback from readers about these characters and their love for one another. Someone once asked if there is or ever was a man like Donovan in my life. I created a YouTube video about it and published it to my channel.

No, there is not and has not been a man like Donovan in my life, and maybe that’s why he’s so great. Maybe that’s why I enjoyed writing about him.

Even if you’ve never experienced true love, love at first sight, or any level of love with a significant other, you could use your fantasies, your hopes, and your dreams to write romance stories that others can relate to, because many people will want those same things. When you can tap into your own desires, it becomes a powerful thing.

You may not have love in the real world, but you do in your story’s world.

Enjoy it!

BONUS A TO Z

THEME: AVRIANNA HEAVENBORN

X - X Marks the Spot

Where is the X? The X is the location of, usually, tressure. This time the location is the setting, or one of the settings, for Alien Killer, the third novella I'll be sharing exclusively on Patreon.

So...where is the X?

Area 51, Earth.

Alien Killer is inspired by the short story I wrote for We Know the Truth, Do You? An Anthology to Celebrate the Raid. The anthology was created to have fun with an event created in 2019 where people planned to (in jest, mostly) to storm/raid Area 51. I wrote Detective Heavenborn for the anthology while recovering on the couch after having surgery to remove an ovarian cyst and endometriosis.

I had no intention to make this story longer until I was considering novellas I would write and publish on Patreon. Suddenly, the idea came to me for how that story could continue from where it left off, and it's going to be fun and action-packed like never before.

NOTE: I fell behind with visiting blogs and returning comments the past two weeks because I was having a really hard time with my grief after losing my mom last month, but yesterday I caught up with one visit each to the bloggers who had visited me during that time (if I was able to access their blog), and I will do my best to return comments each day to the end of the challenge.

I have extremely vivid dreams where I can remember every detail upon waking. Because of this, many of my dreams have inspired stories. I wake up from dreams all the time and think, “That would make a great story!”

30 Seconds came about from a dream I had where I was spinning around on a swivel chair, with rock music blaring, when a pair of hands stopped the chair, and a man in a police officer’s uniform kissed me. Hubba-hubba. Well, I thought upon waking, “How can I turn this into a story?” I stayed in bed, thinking about it and created Dr. Dani Hart and Officer Blake Herro. The dream I had is even a scene in my novella.

I have several other works-in-progress inspired by dreams, too. What I do is go backward and figure out what happened up to what I dreamt about, and I swap myself out for a female character I invent who works for the story. Or, more precisely, a female character steps forward, telling me it’s her story, not mine.

After examining the “Works-in-Progress” folder on my computer, I can tell you I have twelve stories that all came to me because of a dream. I also have a list of ideas I haven’t begun, and several of them originated from dreams.

Dream Journal

As soon as you wake up, before you lose your dream, write down everything you remember about it. Even the odd twists and turns that dreams are known to make. This is a potential story waiting to be developed and written. You can morph it into a story of any length. We’re not just talking about novels here but short fiction, too.

Or maybe you can use bits and pieces of your dream as scenes for your current work-in-progress. I’ve done that, too.

If you pay attention to your dreams, they can be an infinite source of creativity for you. Writing down your dreams and looking back at them can spark ideas for countless stories. So, document them, let them stir your conscious mind, see where they take you as a creator, and write. After all, you own your dreams. They are yours. Use them!

BONUS A TO Z

THEME: AVRIANNA HEAVENBORN

W - Wizard of Oz Joke

Universal Killer Excerpt:

Avrianna’s gaze swept across the ground, searching for the dead body. Except, there wasn’t one. Well, not all of one, anyway. A pair of black leather shoes and a pair of ankles poked through the Veil. Whoever had been killed there, the rest of their body wasn’t even in her world.

A middle-aged man with dark hair that reached the collar of his white polo shirt stood a few feet away, staring at the feet and jotting notes in a pad. She joined him. “Hey, Chuck.” She put her hands on her hips and eyed the leather shoes. “So, is this the Wicked Witch of the East’s spouse?”

Chuck looked at her with wide, blue eyes. “Did you just make a joke?”

Her lips quirked at the corners. “I’m not a robot. I can make jokes.”

“I’ve never known it to happen.”

This is probably a technique that will make many people groan, but in my rock bottom period, I decided it was the perfect time to create a vision board to help me visualize what I wanted into reality.

On my vision board, which was just a white poster board, I had a picture of a house because we were nearly homeless, a picture of a car because we were carless, a picture of a stack of money because we didn’t have any, and a picture of a big digital camera because I’d always wanted one.

I looked at that vision board every night, because I had it tacked to my wall in front of my bed. I visualized those things in my life, and I sent out prayers to the Higher Powers and to the Universe to bring those things to my life in a positive way. I even chanted affirmations that I would get those things, instead of asking for it. “I will win my disability case. I will win my disability case. There’s no other option. I will win.”

I once read that it is better to give a time limit to your prayers, to the things you are asking for. So, while staring at my vision board, I would say, “Please help me get a house before we have to move out of this apartment,” which was in a matter of months.

What do you want to manifest in your life?

If you want to publish a book, add an image of a book, either a real one or one you’ve drawn, and create the cover to look like your book with your author name and the title on it.

If you want an agent, find a photo of someone who looks professional and attach it to your board. You can use a pair of hands clasped in a handshake to symbolize a positive work relationship.

What is causing your depression and what could make you feel better?

Do you have a broken heart? Add an image of a heart intact.

You could even fill your vision board with things that make you happy in order to manifest happiness. Cut out dozens of smiles and smiley faces and tape them around your vision board to inspire you to smile.

Symbols of Happiness/Hope:

- Red and Yellow Roses

- Rainbow

- Heart

- Sun

- Dove

- Anchor

- Elephant

Fill your board with your dreams and goals and whatever makes you happy.

Universal Killer Excerpt:

The closer she got, the more the Veil became visible. The crystal arch rose high into the sky so that the peak was hidden by clouds. Inside the arch, an opal sheen moved like a waving flag. During the day, a line of cars to the right could be seen waiting to drive through it to Earth, and next to that, a flow of vehicles appeared as if from thin air, entering her world—New Vida.

Universal Killer Excerpt:

Avrianna held the door open for Veena while she yanked her rolling suitcase up the doorstep. “Can you get my other one?”

“Other one?” Avrianna turned to see a second, identical suitcase sitting on the welcome mat. She stepped out to get it and was amazed at how heavy the thing was. “What in the world do you have in this thing?”

“Shoes.”

Avrianna tripped over one of the suitcases wheels. She straightened and gaped at Veena. “Shoes?” She pointed. “This thing is full of shoes?”

“Yup.”

“And what do you have in that one?” Avrianna pointed at the suitcase Veena had rolled up beside the chair where Sassy had flung her feather boa the night before.

“Clothes.”

Avrianna hid her grin. Like mother like daughter. 

What is a HappyLight®? It is a therapy lamp that emits full spectrum (natural) light to mimic sunlight, which is used to increase one’s mood, energy, and focus, especially in the winter when many people go without adequate sunlight for months.

When someone is experiencing depression what is usually affected?

Mood

Energy

Focus

A HappyLight® lamp could provide someone with depression or winter blues (seasonal affective disorder or SAD) with healing daylight. It is said that a good 10-30 minutes (depending on your skin’s sensitivity) of midday sunlight several times a week, over about a third of your body (arms and legs), is what is needed to maintain healthy blood levels.

When someone has a vitamin D deficiency, they are at risk for osteoporosis, cancer, depression, muscle weakness, and in extreme cases, death.

Sunlight promotes the production of serotonin, which is responsible for all of our happy feelings, as well as melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. Feeling upset/sad/lonely and not getting enough sleep are all things that someone with depression can experience.

Furthermore, exposure to sunlight makes vitamin D from cholesterol (in skin cells). We could all do better without high cholesterol, and this is a natural way to lower it.

Many people have a vitamin D deficiency and don’t know it. Sitting in front of a window while at work or writing won’t accomplish that, even if the window offers a lot of sunlight, because UVB rays cannot penetrate through glass.

A safe way to get vitamin D (other than taking vitamin D supplements according to directions) is through a HappyLight®, which doesn’t have harmful UV rays that cause sunburns, wrinkles, and (in extreme cases) skin cancer. You can position this lamp next to your chair, on a stand beside your couch, on your desk, anywhere indoors, even in your car during your commute. You can get your much-needed dose of natural light while you write, read, watch TV, or walk on a treadmill.

These lamps can cost anywhere from $30 - $175, but the investment on your happiness and health, especially when you no longer want to suffer from low mood, energy, and focus, is worth it.

BONUS A TO Z

THEME: AVRIANNA HEAVENBORN

U - Universal Killer

Universal Killer is the first novella available exclusively on Patreon.

BLURB:

A call brings Detective Avrianna Heavenborn to the Veil, the very portal that bonds New Vida to Earth. A man was killed there by a spiral bullet. The suspect? An assassin who is turning New Vida into their personal shooting range.

When more people fall at the assassin’s hands, Avrianna vows to catch the assassin and make them pay. But the universal killer has a new target, and the clock is ticking.

When I get stressed or am too busy with marketing my books, editing, or doing one of the many authorly things I have to do, I can neglect myself by not drinking much water, skipping breakfast, and even forgetting to eat my lunch until two or three hours past lunchtime. This is not healthy. Take it from me.

Years ago, I was so overcome with the release of my first eBook, Hurricane Crimes, that I ate, drank, and slept promo. Not an adequate form of nutrition, that’s for sure. I lost a bit of weight. One evening, I started to feel lightheaded and weak. I knew instantly it was probably because I hadn’t drunk enough water that day. Immediately, I got a bottle of water, and, while sitting in front of a fan, drank until I felt better. This was a big lesson learned for me.

Here are tips for taking care of yourself:

1. Hydrate

To maintain your brain power, you need water. Our brains are, after all, made up of about 70% water, and our bodies are 60% water. Experts say to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily to help your metabolism and stay on top of your performance. Dehydration is not good. If you suffer from dehydration, you can become very sick. Keep up your intake of water. This doesn’t have to be straight water, though. Coffee, tea, and juice count.

I like to keep a bottle of water on my desk if I need it. I also have a coaster for my cup of green tea I drink in the morning, and for my cup of decaf coffee I enjoy in the afternoon with a sweet goodie.

Which brings me to…

2. Eat

On days that I know I have a lot of work to do, shortly after I wake up, I head over to my desk and get down to it. No breakfast whatsoever. As I mentioned before, I can even work through lunch. Bringing snacks to your desk to sustain you during the day can keep you fueled while you write. Healthy snacks, though, not junk food. Just as our brains and bodies need water, they also require fuel in the terms of food, because food becomes energy, and we need energy to stay on top of our writing game.

Some snacks that are easy to have at your desk:

- Granola or protein bars

- Can of peanuts (Even the honey glazed ones count. Pour them in a dish for easy access.)

- An apple

- Baby carrots

- Trail mix

- Snack-sized bags of chips or pretzels

TIP: Shake out your keyboard and wipe it down with anti-bacterial wipes to keep it clean between your snacking periods.

Whatever you eat at your desk and however much water you consume, just make sure to hydrate plenty and get nutrition through food to keep yourself strong—physically and mentally.

When you’re experiencing depression, this is even more critical. Taking care of yourself is key to getting back to a good, healthy place. You may not feel like doing much of anything, or even getting out of bed, but you need to hydrate and eat. If you do nothing else, at least do that.

But there is something else you should do that I highly recommend…

3. Bathe

Oh, baths are my favorite. At the end of stressful or busy days, especially on your bad days, take a bath. Turn off the lights, light a few candles, drop lavender or orange essential oils into the water, and then lay back and relax. When I do this, I sometimes listen to music, such as 90’s music or meditation music. You can let silence surround you or listen to your favorite tunes.

Let your stresses melt off you as you take a good, long bath. Your muscles won’t ache as much and you’ll feel relaxed, which is a gift after a hard day.

Eat.

Drink (water).

Bathe.

Take care!

We all want to be supported by our family and friends. It’s only natural. But that doesn’t always happen. Many writers (and artists in general) don’t receive support from their loved ones. The people closest to them may not understand their wishes to spend their time writing for a number of reasons. The people in your life may outright ridicule your dreams or be subtler about it by not ever asking about your writing, which can cause pain, especially if you want to share it with them. They may say it’s a waste of time, not a good career move, not a reliable way to make money, that you won’t ever have the success of So-And-So, etc., etc. Over time, this naysaying can damage writers and actually push them to stop writing. Nothing is more devastating for a writer than to stop writing, for whatever reason. But to stop writing because you’re discouraged by your loved ones’ lack of support breaks my heart.

Again, we all want to be supported in our pursuits, especially if what we’re doing makes us happy and is part of our dream. When it doesn’t happen, it’s incredibly hurtful.

I have heard from writers who quit writing for this very reason and confessed that it was one of their biggest regrets. Why was it one of their biggest regrets? Because they are writers, because they love to write, and were meant to be writing the entire time they forced themselves not to do what came naturally to them. Eventually, many of them picked writing back up, but after many years had gone by.

The worst thing we can do is let the naysayers win.

Have you ever heard that insecure people are the ones who put others down? That they aren’t happy with themselves or their lives, and to make themselves feel better, they criticize others? Well, I believe this is true. The naysayers want you to quit because they want to feel superior over you, as if their life is better, their dreams are more important. They are threatened by what you have, what you do, and what you inspire to do.

When you quit, they defeat you. Don’t. Let. Them. Win.

If you experience negative reactions from others (be it from family, friends, co-workers, teachers...even if it’s just from one or two people who are dear to you), I ask you not to give up or give in. Don’t listen to what they say. Listen to your heart and creativity instead. Let your passion speak louder. Let your muse be your biggest supporter.

There’s a reason why writing is said to be a solitary endeavor, because you only need yourself to write a book. Later, you need more people on your team to help you get your book ready for publication, but to write, it’s just you, your creativity, and your muse. Or in other words: you, You, and YOU.

Now, although I say you don’t need a support system at home, which is a defense mechanism, a support system of some kind is helpful and can build you up when others are tearing you down.

If you don’t have support from the people who you wish would support you, you can write without them (without their blessings or interest) and find other writers who probably need the support, too. Giving support to other writers and receiving it in return can make all the difference.

BONUS A TO Z

THEME: AVRIANNA HEAVENBORN

S - Sassy & Simone

Sassy is Avrianna's adoptive aunt and foster mom. She has her own personal style that often involves pink from head-to-toe and feather boas.

Universal Killer Excerpt:

“Oops,” Sassy said. “I moved your gun’s purse.”

“It’s called a holster.”

“It looks like a purse. I’ll fix it for you.” She started to straighten the holster, but Avrianna slapped her hand away.

“Don’t touch the gun.”

“It’s crooked.” Sassy went to try again.

Whack. “Don’t.”

“But—” Sassy’s fingers zeroed in on the leather case once more.

Whack.

“Fine.” Sassy started to turn away but stopped. “Aren’t you going to snap the button back on?” She poked the button on the strap.

Smack. “Don’t.”

“Safety first, Avrianna.”

Whack.

“Okay, but do you know there’s grease or something on it? Right there.”

Smack.

“Aren’t you going to wipe it off? I’ll get it for you.” Sassy licked her finger and went to clean off the smudge from the back of the polymer gun. 

Avrianna slapped away Sassy’s fingers once more before rounding on her. “Don’t. Touch. The. Gun.”

Sassy sighed. “Fine.”

Simone is the medical examiner at Aurora Police Department and one of Avrianna's closest friends. If Snow White worked with corpses, well, you'd have Simone. Except, Snow White is as gentle as a snowflake and Simone is a flirtatious vixen.

Cocky Killer Excerpt:

Dr. Simone White stood next to the table, writing notes on a clipboard. She flipped a piece of paper over and made a quick notation. She wore her favorite black scrubs, and her black hair was tied into a bun at the top of her head. Her pale skin appeared moon-kissed, and her lips were painted the brightest red Avrianna had ever seen.

“Hey, Sim, what do you got?”

Simone peered up from the clipboard. “It’s what Mr. Sherman doesn’t have that’s the problem,” she said.

Avrianna stood on the other side of the examination table. “What do you mean?”

“Someone castrated him.”

That was far from what Avrianna expected to hear. “Really?”

“Yeah, do you want to see?” Simone reached for the white sheet covering Axel.

“No.” She put up her hands. “I’m good. Thanks. I’ll take your word for it.”

Daily affirmations are a way to train yourself in thinking positive thoughts, not negative thoughts. When you have depression, it is as easy as breathing to think cruel things about yourself, your life, those around you, your job, and the future. Beginning the day with healthy, positive affirmations can tip the scales in your favor. You’re starting off on a positive note, increasing the odds you will have a good day. If your day takes a turn, saying these affirmations can help your mind stay in a safe place. It can also calm you and remind you of what you need to know.

If depression is a daily battle for you, using affirmations each morning would be a good idea. If you go through periods of normalcy and periods of depression, as I do, using the affirmations every day during the time you are in danger of sinking into depression (or are depressed) could be a better approach for you.

While depressed and burned out and going through anxiety over my job, I used affirmations. You see, editors have a thankless job. I went through a period where editing caused me great anxiety, so I started to repeat to myself, “I am a great editor.” Over and over again. The first time I did this, I was sobbing.

I also have affirmations for the things I want in life with every fiber of my being. When depression creeps onto my back, it whispers in my ear about all my dreams that haven’t come true yet, and it tells me they won’t. Ever. Believing my deepest desires won’t come to fruition makes my depression stronger, invincible, as big as King-effing-Kong. Saying my affirmations again and again, using “I will” wording, strengthens those dreams and goals.

You can create affirmations for whatever in your life you need to improve on or need reminders for. Write them down in a journal. If you need pages of affirmations, create pages. If you need different categories (work, health, family, home life), then write the category as a header on one page of your journal and follow it with a list of positive “I am/I will” affirmations.

Affirmations to Consider:

- It is safe for my dreams to come trues.

- It is safe for me to experience success.

- It is safe for me to receive money.

- I am healthy.

- I am smart.

- I am strong.

- I am creative.

- I am beautiful.

- I am kind.

- I am a good wife/husband/mother/father/friend, etc.

- I am worthy of love.

- I am loved.

Alter these affirmations to suit you and put them in your own words. Every morning, say your affirmations (or the affirmations in the areas of your life that need attention). Definitely say them on your bad days.

BONUS A TO Z

THEME: AVRIANNA HEAVENBORN

R - Richard Sterling & Sterling Tower

Universal Killer Excerpt #1 Sterling Tower:

Still smirking, she passed through the Veil to see New Vida slowly becoming conscious with soft greys and lavender streaks in the sky. Hands on her hips, she studied the surrounding buildings’ rooftops. A skyscraper—Sterling Tower—with tinted windows stood erect directly across from the Veil. Tipping her head back, she eyed the roof with a perfect vantage point for a sniper to execute a kill shot in the dead of night unseen. But how did the sniper get up there? As far as she knew, no break-in had been reported. Unless, of course, the perp had access to the building by means of a key or an accomplice on the inside, such as the night guard or a janitor. And since the sniper would’ve needed to be on the property, security cameras would’ve caught her. 

Universal Killer Excerpt #2 Richard Sterling: 

The investigators collected photographic evidence, prints, and measurements. They were finishing up when the CEO of Sterling Tower, a man named Richard Sterling, arrived. Even in the dim lighting, his fake tan glowed an unnatural color. Wisps of black hair clung to a large, smooth, shiny head. He wore a gunmetal-grey suit and a black tie. The bottoms of his Italian shoes clicked and scraped against the asphalt. By the way his eyes narrowed on her made it clear he felt horribly inconvenienced. 

At a certain point, I found myself lying in bed each night, with the light off, scrolling through my Facebook feed, watching cute and funny videos of cats and dogs and other cuddly animals for an hour or more past my bedtime. Or I’d be exploring on Instagram, reading the trolling comments on celebrities’ posts. I’d get sucked in and hypnotized by the comments, reading each one that looked as if it was negative, and reading every reply to them as well.

Then in the morning, I’d tap in the code to my phone and check my email. While lying in bed. Never check your email first thing in the morning while lying in bed. This is not the way you should start the day, especially if there’s a chance you could have work emails waiting for you. There’s been times when I read an email that caused me stress or anxiety right off the bat, before I had even gotten out of bed. I’d start my day on the wrong foot. This is not how you want to begin.

During the day, I’d continue to check my phone constantly to see what notifications may be waiting for me, mostly emails. Every time I passed my phone on the counter, I’d pause to tap the Home button. Always. I couldn’t walk past it to my intended destination. If I attempted to, I’d pause, backtrack, and tap. If I restrained myself, when I passed by my phone again a moment later, I’d cave in then. Pause. Tap.

I started to notice these nasty habits and longed for the days of the flip phone that didn’t have social media apps.

Confession: I now have an old-fashioned flip phone.

But my iPad is a constant distraction. To prevent those distractions, I turned off notifications for my social media and deleted the app for my main email account so I’d have to log in on my computer once a day to check it. After I did that, I shifted all social media apps to the next screen over. That way I don’t see those icons right away.

And it has helped!

Does any of this sound like you?

Social media may not cause writer’s block, but it doesn’t help when you are blocked. It’s just another way for you to procrastinate, not put in the effort, and lower your motivation levels for writing even more.

Evaluate your time spent on social media. Perhaps you log in to Facebook or Twitter while working on your computer, when you should be writing. Sound familiar? If it does, try hiding your web browser in a desktop folder.

In the past, I’ve given the tip to temporarily delete your web browser. With this technique, you must remember not to empty your waste bin and recover it when you need it.

Another option is to create two different user accounts on your computer. One would be for writing. I suggest using the administrator account for writing. The other account would be for your Internet usage. This keeps you from popping in to check on your social media when you should be writing, because you’d have to switch over and log in to another account. The bit of extra work to get there may stop you from spending time on social media.

A bonus to this method is that if a virus or malware affects that account, you can delete it and not lose any of your writing. This happened to me once, where I couldn’t even log in to the account I used for the Internet. I was glad I could delete it without any worry and run scans from my administrator account.

Social media can be great for many reasons, but not for productivity. And occasionally not for our sanity and health, either.