 Texas is a huge state. We've had quite a month traveling around. I've been busy publishing and writing. We spent a day at Camping World having the RV looked at and diagnosed. Now we are waiting for parts until February 25th. The good thing about hanging out for two weeks at one campground, is that we've met some cool people. We met Melissa of Simple RV Cooking with Melissa and her husband Donnie, who was on the PBR tour back in the day. I was so psyched, as I had been to a show and loved it. We also met Brandon and Jayne of RV Traveling with 6. They have a huge RV and a fun family. Check out those two channels for some fun. In case I didn't mention it, Flashbangs and Nightsticks is now out in paperback and on Kindle! Whoo! Hoo! I'd love you to pick up a copy here, read it and leave a review on Amazon. That would really help me as an author. I also release a Battleship game book, where you can play Battleship on paper. It's really great for when you're in a blackout, snowstorm, or road trip, and it teaches a lot of great skills for kids. You can check it out here. I rejoined a writer's group from NJ. We are doing a Write Away 30K in February. Writing 30,000 words during the month of February. I'm going to reach that goal with only a few days left in the month. Once that goal is met, I will have to start editing some of the many projects I have ready for that stage. Are you guys waiting for more books? I also have four non-fiction books that I'm getting ready to publish, too. To say that I've been busy is an understatement. Well back to work writing more words for the 30K. I'm still working on the podcast called "Amuck in America" about our journey. I hope you'll join me as soon as it's released. If you know of places we shouldn't miss while traveling America, write to me at authormichellelibby@gmail.com, or visit me on FB at Author Michelle Libby. It's not too late for Christmas. If you want to read my free Christmas story, click here. Happy reading and all the best, Michelle
0 Comments
 Dear 2022, Come on...really? We started out so great. We went to New Orleans for New Year's Eve and got to see the Sugar Bowl Parade and catch beads, cups, coffee packets and it was awesome, until a few days later, when it all came crashing down in the form of a positive Covid test. Then, I got all the symptoms, too. We are finishing quarantining in the RV, the second week in January. At least that's over with. I did manage to get a lot of work completed... Hot undercover police officer and a hot undercover DEA agent with a cute dimple, meet up while trying to solve the same case in Port City, Maine. It's steamy, naughty and ha a villain so evil you can't help but love him. Flashbangs and Nightsticks is being re-released in March. Same name, new cover, with tweaks and changes to make the story better. If you missed the book the first time, don't miss it this time. With the publication of a new camping log, a new cover for my Acadia National Park coloring book and a just released Pirate Journal for emergent writers, I'm excited about what's to come in 2022. The original RV motorhome Logbook now has been reformatted to a 6x9 size for easy storage in a glove compartment. We're spending most of January in Texas, but will miss seeing our friends because of Covid. I'm not sure if I'm most excited about checking out Galveston, South Padre Island or Waco. They are all such different places. If you have a favorite haunt in Texas, let me know, we'll add it to the list.
 Hey readers, It’s the middle of December and it’s cold in Maine and South Carolina (in the upstate), but in Florida and the other southern states it’s beautifully warm. We’ve been traveling and hitting a range of temperatures. Although we missed the snow and freezing rain in Maine, we got to spend a little time with friends and with my husband’s mother. I crocheted my best friend a sweater and hat that matched. It was such a thrill to give it to her and to see that it fit. That was my biggest fear…that it wouldn’t fit. Hopefully, she’ll wear it out in Maine with all the cold weather. We have loved seeing the Christmas lights. Westbrook, Maine did an amazing job lighting up their downtown. Kudos! Living in the RV, we don’t see a lot of lights, but we have seen some people who stay stationary, that have lighted up their sites. Others have the blow up Santas or other inflatables. At least showing a bit of spirit. As far as writing and working on new projects, I’ve been busy putting out a new Planner and a new Children's bookren’s book. I have a new cover for Flashbangs and Nightsticks that I can’t wait to share…I’ll share it below because if you’ve managed to find your way here, you deserve to see it and give some feedback. Just recently, I contributed to a book on Gratitude that was created by Donna Kozik, who I’ve come to know and enjoy as a teacher and mentor. She’s very motivating. I have four entries in the book. Here’s the link for that on Amazon. The Community Book Project: Celebrating 365 Days of Gratitude: 2022 Edition: Kozik, Donna: 9798782544614: Amazon.com: Books I will also have a page coming soon with a free Christmas story…I know Christmas is like any second, but these things take time and time flies faster than the planes I’ve been on recently. I have a cover for that story, too. I’ll drop a link as soon as I have it. I’ll have to sign up for my mailing list when you receive the story. I want to finally take time to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. No matter who you celebrate with or what you celebrate, make it an amazing celebration of the year past and the year to come. Soon I will be starting a podcast called "Amuck in America" about our journey. I hope you'll join me. If you know of places we shouldn't miss while traveling America,  On the road at last. We have launched our adventure travels around the country. I've found myself trapped in the summer I longed for during the last three months. Now, I have found it in Florida. We are loving the vibe of the tropics. The happiness of people living where the weather is consistent most of the time. Meanwhile, I've watched the pictures coming out of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, in all the fall colors and feel a sense of remorse for missing a season I have always loved. It's odd not to be apple picking and finding a pumpkin. I did make two apple pies at my sister's house, so I got that experience out of my system. I've also been working on lots of book projects. Crash and Burn has been released as a Kindle ebook and in paperback. I have also released a children's Halloween activity book. Have you seen The Chunky Girls Hiker Logbook and Journal? Don't miss that to record all of your hikes this fall. I appreciate you spending awhile checking out my pages. Soon I will be starting a podcast called "Amuck in America" about our journey. I hope you'll join me. If you know of places we shouldn't miss while traveling America, get in touch with me.  Hello readers! Summer has begun, or so they tell me. I know there are a lot more boats on the lake, but it's not warm. Sure we had a heatwave back in June, but we've been lucky to get to the mid-70s here in Maine. It's 64 degrees, on August 2nd. I really don't get what's going on with our weather. I have been swimming, however and I love it. I've also been crocheting and sewing and catching up on projects I haven't had time for while we were finishing up selling the house. The house now belongs to someone else, and I'm okay with that. Onward and upward. The open road awaits us. I have released The Chunky Hiker Journal and Logbook on Amazon and the second in the series The Chunky Hiker Does New Hampshire will be out this week. I finished the second book in my middle great series and have begun editing an older book that I have the rights back to and many of you haven't read. It's a fun, fast paced read called "Crash and Burn". I'm off for a walk while the weather is cool. Enjoy your weather. If you know of places we shouldn't miss while traveling America, write to me at authormichellelibby@gmail.com, or visit me on FB at Author Michelle Libby.   Hello readers! I'm glad you stopped by. Here's the continuation of our saga. Our plans are progressing forward. I missed my first deadline of getting the house on the market by mid-May. However, it will go on the market this week with showings next weekend, June 11-14. The whole thing has been stressful, but I finally learned something first hand that I've been hearing for years. Your time is valuable. If it's not your specialty or field, let someone else do the job.
I can do everything has always been my mindset and most times I can given the time and enough energy. This time I needed help and it was recommended by my realtor, my sister and others. I hired the best cleaning lady to go through my house top to bottom. It took her more than 8 hours, but man, my house has never looked better. I also learned some new cleaning hacks. Bonus. My realtor thought it was necessary to have a professional come cut our lawn. Since we sold our lawn care items, it was for the best. Also, the pictures would look awesome. The man was sooooo thorough. He must have gone over the grass three or four times, even after the initial cut. There was the blowout of old caked grass, the extra trimming around the edges and more work than we've ever done before. So, I'm sitting i the garage with the dog, trying to keep cool and get things done. The most amazing thing happened...our 23 foot Thor Gemini RV arrived earlier than expected, which has been the transition so much easier. We are sleeping in it now and sorting through all of the things we wanted to keep in the RV, but now realize we can't. As far as writing is concerned, I'm almost at the finish line for my middle grade book. I've reached my word goal, now I have to wrap up the story. It's been so much fun to write. I can't wait for all of you to read it. I also have published a Llama Drama planner and a Maine themed guest book for bed and breakfasts and Air BnBs. I love creating these specialized books that can really help people. I'll even be adding a new page to this website dedicated to the publication of these books. I hope you'll check them out on Amazon. You can write to me at authormichellelibby@gmail.com, or visit me on FB at Author Michelle Libby. It's spring in Maine, although it's only 28 degrees as I write this. The days are getting warmer and the sun is shining brighter with more intensity. We don't have anymore snow in our yard and the green stalks of spring flowers have poked through the ground. It brings joy to my heart. I'm still not going very far from home. I've eaten out once with one of my organizations and I go to the store. That leaves me a lot of time for writing, editing, exercising and managing the project of packing up our house. We are planning to move once our house goes on the market and sells. For now we will spend the summer at our family camp in Downeast Maine, then my husband and I will hit the road to see some of our country. We're pretty fired up about it. If you know of any place we should not miss, let me know, I'll add it to our list of places to see and things to do. I have published a few low-content, but super helpful books. One is a blood pressure tracker and the other is an RV Motorhome Maintenance Logbook. They can both be found on Amazon. Between creating those, I have also been writing Book 2 in my pirate series. I'm having so much fun. I can't wait to share these books with all of you. I will also have re-releases of older books coming out this summer. And, a new release as well. Thanks for being with me on this journey.  I'm still here. Even though I hadn't updated the website since December, I've been hunkered down in Maine. I have lots of projects on my to-do list and I'm slowly working though those and working at my other jobs. You all haven't been far from my mind. And, then the month would be over. January - gone. February - gone. Now it's March and don't look away, because that will be over soon, too.
I'm having a book sale on books I have in stock. The shipping is free and the books will be signed. Reach out to me by email or I think you might be able to purchase them on this site in the near future. I'm accepting Paypal and Venmo. If you buy more than one book, there might even be a discount. There are so many exciting things coming up for us in 2021. I'm looking forward to the adventures and challenges. March is a hard month. Most people don't have a day off from work or school. Some colleges have spring break, but if they're learning remotely, what does that even matter. Also, where are they going to go? This makes it even more important that we get outside and do something in our own hometowns. Go for a walk, try snowshoeing or just stand in the sun and feel the warmth on your face, then run back inside because it's freezing out there. I'm hoping that March will be more like last year with the warm weather arriving early. We were able to clean the yard and garden early. Nothing better to do during a pandemic than grown your own produce and burn all of the fallen branches from the winter. We love to have a campfire and burn stuff. Please take care of yourselves. We've been dealing with a crazy world for a year and it doesn't look like things are going to get better anytime soon. So, keep your head up and keep reaching for the stars with everything you're trying to accomplish.  Happy December - It's the run up to the holidays. I'm still in South Carolina with my parents, sister and brother-in-law, plus 4 dogs, 2 cats and my niece and her boyfriend, who live in the house as well.
My Mom's surgery went well, but she still needs help so I have been tasked with staying longer. The rest of my family few home separately and are all quarantining, while getting everything decked for Christmas. Since I won't be home until mid-December, Christmas is going to come very fast. It's good that I'm an early shopper and most of my gift buying is complete. Thank heavens for Dropbox, so I have access to all of my writing stories, things to edit and write. I've been able to work remotely - God Bless technology. Have you seen all of the Black Friday deals - Geez. I could become a renowned celebrity author for $19.95, if I just follow this person's plan for all the success I could want. It is possible that if I do the class, I could learn something. Perhaps, I would pick up something of use - if I actually did the program and not let it languish on my desktop. The programs don't work if you don't do them. It's the same way with writing. November was NaNoRiMo, when authors strive to write 50,000 words in one month. If you don't write every day you will lose drive and momentum. That's what we all need - momentum, especially this season. I love the excitement of the holidays. The twinkling lights, the hustle and bustle, the snow at home... This year I am actually a little sad to see Thanksgiving over. It means were on the downward slide to Christmas - it's a waterslide and we're hauling butt. It's going to be over before we know it. Then comes January and February - dark, lonely months. Up North it's cold and bleak. It's going to be a tough winter season. If you can get outside comfortably and gain momentum with healthy habits, exercise, writing, dancing, knitting - whatever makes you happy and healthy. Sitting in the darkness with the Christmas tree lights shining in the room, breathing deeply, thinking or not thinking about anything. Take a deep breath. It's time to get ready. It's time to prepare. It's time to get motivated for next year. I think we're all done with this one. Merry Christmas and may you get lots of reading materials this holiday. You can write to me at michelle@authormichellelibby.com, or visit me on FB at Author Michelle Libby. All the best, Michelle Happy Thanksgiving to those who live in the US. This year Thanksgiving is going to have a different flavor. There will still be turkey and stuffing, but also Zoom calls and fewer people around most tables.
I feel like I've broken all of the rules by heading to South Carolina to visit with my family, who moved here a year ago. It's not entirely just a Thanksgiving visit. My mom is having surgery on her hip the Monday before Thanksgiving and my dad needs help since he's in a wheelchair full time. Call in Michelle from Maine. My adult kids and I came down at the beginning of the week and now we're chilling, walking and playing with the dogs. While learning everything we need to do to keep things running at this house. So while everyone in power is saying, "Stay Home!" We are not following those requests for what I think is a good reason. Breaking rules isn't always a good idea, but sometimes, it works. For me, traveling to SC works. For some writers, breaking the rules, works. Combine two genres and boom, new type of book. I'm not much of a rule breaker. I like knowing what I can and can not do, when it comes to writing. That has to be the journalist in me, reporting the facts. November is National Novel Writers Month. There are so many people pushing their time and energy to finish 50,000 words in the month of November. I even know of a few who have reached that goal already. I always start off with the greatest of intentions, but life seems to crowd in and the motivation wains. I'm still making progress, but officially, I won't make the 50K this month, however I have finished a ton of short stories and other projects. So that's a win. Have a great Thanksgiving no matter what it looks like. Get outside if you can and eat your fill. Oh, one more thing...I'm doing America's Turkey Trot with my sister on Thanksgiving Day. I'm excited to do a 5K with her, since I never had the ability before. Send up a little prayer that I survive. She's much faster than I am. Watch for pictures on my Facebook Page. Happy Thanksgiving. Write to me at michelle@authormichellelibby.com, or visit me on FB at Author Michelle Libby. |
RSS Feed