Facets of a Muse

Examining the guiding genius of writers everywhere

A Brief but unspectacular post

by 22 Comments

Hey there! Contrary to my intention this week, I have no ideas for this post. Usually something will pop into my head as I’m writing (or I just con my Muse into writing the post).

Well, this week is pretty much a bust. If I’d been thinking last night, I would have taken some garden pics to post. I am getting ripe tomatoes, even if a critter is eating some of them. Nothing like getting out to the garden, grabbing a nice, ripe tomato, and finding out the back side is gone and the remains are a party floor for bugs. Yeesh.

Everything else is winding down. I planted pepperoncini peppers this year with the intent to pickle them. I did a small batch a few weeks ago, and I couldn’t wait any longer. Success! So this weekend will be more pickling, along with pico de gallo salsa (at my daughter’s request) and cleaning.

Ugh. BTW, make sure you let me know well in advance if you plan to stop by. Just sayin’.

I follow a lot of blogs, and I’m waaaay behind, so don’t be disappointed if I missed yours over the past week or so. I’m trying to catch up 🙂 .

Also, I’ve talked about the Writers’ Institute that happens every spring at UW–Madison. Last spring I was there with my Writing Sisters, and a blizzard. Next spring it’s scheduled for the first weekend in April, and this week I found out both my workshop proposals were accepted. So I will be there, and with my new book! Murder in Plane Sight is scheduled to be released in March 2019. If you’ve wanted to go to a writers’ conference, this one is stellar! The full schedule isn’t finished yet, but hey, I’ll be there. Come on out to Madison and say “Hi”!

That’s about all for now. Have a wonderful, writing-filled weekend!

Author: Julie Holmes, author

A fiction writer since elementary school (many years ago), and NaNoWriMo annual participant for over a decade, I have been published in small press magazines such as "Fighting Chance" and "The Galactic Citizen". I write adult mystery with a touch of romance, mystery with extrasensory elements, contemporary fantasy, and epic fantasy, and I'm represented by the fabulous Cynthia Zigmund of Second City Publishing Services. My debut novel, "Murder in Plane Sight", has been released by Camel Press (an imprint of Coffeetown Press/Epicenter Press). In real life, I am a technical writer and empty-nester with a wonderful hubby, three cats (what writer doesn't have cats??), and more chipmunks, squirrels, and rabbits than any garden should have to deal with. My garden, our hobby farm, and Nature's annual seasons are some of my muses.

22 thoughts on “A Brief but unspectacular post”

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  1. Molly Stevens - Shallow Reflections
    September 15, 2018 at 7:14 am

    I like to read your posts even when you claim to have nothing to write about, Julie. Don’t spend too much time cleaning. You’ll just have to do it all again next week. Better yet, put an apron on your muse and hand him some cleaning supplies. I bet he’d look hot cleaning the shower!

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  2. Margot Kinberg
    September 15, 2018 at 7:32 am

    So glad you’re going to the Writers Institute! That does sound like a great conference. And, hey, there’s something appealing about a week where nothing remarkable happens. It helps you focus, even if you do have to share your tomatoes with some other critters…

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  3. Jacqui Murray
    September 15, 2018 at 9:20 am

    Good luck on your presentations! I wish I could go to that conference. I’ll enjoy your review when the time comes.

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    • Julie Holmes, author
      September 15, 2018 at 8:18 pm

      Thanks, Jacqui! I wasn’t really expecting both proposals to be accepted. There’s always that initial “Oh, crap, what did I get myself into?” reaction, but I think it’ll be fine. It’s exposure, especially since my book comes out in March, and the Writers’ Institute is in April. Have a wonderful weekend, Jacqui!

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  4. C.E.Robinson
    September 15, 2018 at 10:45 am

    Jacqui, enjoy the nothing happened week! Your brain needed a rest. Usually it’s on overdrive! Always read your posts no matter the content. I have my favorite blogging friends and you are one of them! Happy Weekend! 📚 Christine

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  5. ParentingIsFunny
    September 15, 2018 at 12:20 pm

    As I mentioned to you in person, I still haven’t been to Wisconsin…. 😉

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  6. penpatience
    September 16, 2018 at 2:44 pm

    Julie, best of luck on your new book release next spring. Frances

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  7. Mae Clair
    September 16, 2018 at 6:45 pm

    We had a few of the picture-perfect, gorgeous ripe tomatoes, only to turn them round and find the back side was the pits. Maybe next year. I need to do better with garden care (although my garden is just a few tomato plants).

    Congrats on your workshop proposals. What fun to look forward to! And, of course, I can’t wait or Murder in Plane Sight! 🙂

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    • Julie Holmes, author
      September 16, 2018 at 8:06 pm

      So disappointing, especially when the side you see looks sooo good! Found one tonight with a bite out of it, but a small enough bite that most of the tomato is salvagable, and the bugs hadn’t gotten into it yet. Had to pick tonight because rain is in the forecast for the next few days. I think I planted more tomatoes than I thought (then again, it always seems that way when they start getting ripe all at the same time). More to snack on!

      I’m looking forward to the Writers’ Institute. It’s always an adventure. And I’m hoping I’ll see the final cover soon; one more mockup, then finishing touches on the final. No date for cover reveal yet, but maybe I’ll get lucky and have that before Thanksgiving. I hope!

      Have a great week, Mae!

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  8. Mae Clair
    September 16, 2018 at 8:08 pm

    Oh, I can’t wait to see the cover! If you’re planning a reveal splash, I want to be a host!

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  9. Staci Troilo
    September 17, 2018 at 10:02 am

    Congratulations on the workshops being accepted! Yay!

    My tomatoes are being eaten, too. I think my garden is done for the year. The peppers sound awesome, though.

    If/when you do a cover reveal splash, count me in to host you.

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  10. D.L Finn, Author
    September 17, 2018 at 10:50 am

    Congrats on your workshop and upcoming release! Yay! I hate when the bugs and critters get to our bounty before we do! Pepperoncinis are my husbands favorite treats and homemade sounds incredible:) Have a great week Julie.

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