Bloody Head? Open a Window.

How many times do you beat your head against a door before you give up and open a window?

If you're like me, the answer is MANY.

For the last two weeks, or however long it's been since I wrote that last scene for Khenko Blitherstone, I have been fiddling with the Awen Tide manuscript to no avail.

It all started when I went back to the beginning and read Chapter One and spit-shined it. That experience was so awesome, I just knew I had devised a new plan. Remember?

So, I kept going in that direction. But as I approached the end of Chapter Two, the shiny wore off. Since then, I keep showing up at the page, according to plan, but I'm getting exactly NOWHERE.

The new plan is not working. And I'm frustrated.

Once again, I find myself crying out in astonished aggravation, "Uncle, dammit, UNCLE!" (Oooo look, a squirrel! Where did that saying come from anyway? I'll find out in a bit and report back to you.*)

Today, in the hopes of salvaging my entry into NaNoWriMo, I am changing gears. Because this writer is stuck. And I've shared with you in the past that stuck - for me, anyway - always means my Muse has applied the brakes and is reeling me in.

So, why (OH WHY!), did it take me two weeks to GET THAT? I know this is my process. Sheesh.

But now, instead of dangling and dancing at the tip of the rod, I shall relax and let go. Like Hermione, Harry, and Ron, I shall slide through the devil's snare, pick myself up off the dusty floor, and proceed through the door I'm being pointed towards—MY NOTES.

Let's just hope I've picked the right door.

So for the rest of today, I will gather my copious notes together, read through them to see where I am (and where I am not), then decide what needs to be written between here and The End.

Then tomorrow, my Muse and I will brainstorm, sketching out the titles for the remaining chapters and scenes.

This will be my NaNo outline. NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, starts in two days - on Monday, November 1st - and runs through the 30th. 

SOOOO, in a little over a month, my first draft (and the trilogy) will be complete.

Ahhh. I like the sound of that!

Y'all keep reading and I'll keep writing!

That Rebel, Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O. J. Barré

*P. S. Even Wikidpedia doesn't know where the Uncle saying originated. Do you?

O. J. Barré is the author of the Awen Trilogy, a pre-apocalyptic urban fantasy set in 2042 Atlanta. Steeped in current, ancient, and future history twists, Book One, Awen Rising, debuted July 2019. Book Two, Awen Storm, released May 2020. Book Three, Awen Tide, is on preorder and will be released in 2022. All are (or will be) available in both paperback and ebook.

O. J.'s Awen Prequel novelette, The Druids of Marduk, Part I, is available as an ebook for purchase on Amazon (or free by signing up for her newsletter). The second installment, The Druids of Marduk, Part II: UnderEarth, is an ebook novella also available on Amazon. Part III: AboveEarth, is scheduled for a 2022 release.

Thank You, Dear Readers

Thank you for listening to my wacky wanderings, reading the stuff I share, and for sticking with me through thick and thin.

I know I get excited and post way too much about my books - and I apologize for that - but writing is such a big part of my life today that it's hard for me not to carry on about it. Or to even spam you now and again, especially when I have a free/$.99 promo going on - like now.😂

Click to Buy Awen Rising for FREE & Awen Storm for $.99

While working on Awen Tide, I've been pondering the best way to complete the novel I abandoned for nine months while writing its prequel. I had to do it. I needed more background to finish the story. But each of my many POV character arcs were left dangling. Which is no big deal, right? Just pick up each character's thread and run with it?

One might think. And that IS the way I normally approach it. But the glaring truth I have stumbled upon is - I don't REMEMBER where I left them. And to get into the character's head, emotions, motivations, etc, I now have to reread what I wrote so long ago. For each character.

On Friday, I somehow found myself starting from the beginning. I read the opening chapter. And was compelled to edit it. Now, mind you, I should be in writing mode, skimming through each chapter gleaning enough to forward the motion when I'm done. And I had no intention of starting with Lugh.

But, nooooo. Uh-uh. Not that day.

Click to Subscribe to & Get the 1st Awen Prequel for Free

I pruned. I crystallized. I rearranged sentences. I cleaned it up until that chapter shines. And by the middle of the day I was smiling, even KNOWING this was not my plan. Then by the end of the day, I was in heaven. Literally. Loving this story. Loving the words. Loving the characters. Loving the divine gift that's been given to me and the opportunity to let it shine.

And now I have my new plan. I will tally ho through the first half of the manuscript, editing as I go. I like writing that way, anyway. Then, the first edit of the first half will be complete and I can keep rolling through the rest to THE END.

There. That's all. I just wanted to say thank you. And that, yeehaa, I have a plan.

Of course, I had one this morning when I started out. So who knows...

But, one way or t'other, Awen Tide will get written. And I'm enjoying every minute of it!

Y'all keep reading, and I'll keep writing!

That Rebel, Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O. J. Barré

O. J. Barré is the author of the Awen Trilogy, a pre-apocalyptic urban fantasy set in 2042 Atlanta. Steeped in current, ancient, and future history twists, Book One, Awen Rising, debuted July 2019. Book Two, Awen Storm, released May 2020. Book Three, Awen Tide, is on preorder and will be released in 2022. All are (or will be) available in both paperback and ebook.

O. J.'s Awen Prequel novelette, The Druids of Marduk, Part I, is available as an ebook for purchase on Amazon (or free by signing up for her newsletter). The second installment, The Druids of Marduk, Part II: UnderEarth, is an ebook novella also available on Amazon. Part III: AboveEarth, is scheduled for a 2022 release.

Samhain Steals and Fall Feels

That Samhain (pronounced Sow-in) time of year is upon us when the nights grow longer and the days fly by in the Northern Hemisphere. Soon we'll be breaking out our favorite puffer coats and flannel sheets.

I am fresh off a 3-day trip to the Idaho mountains, where it was chilly and gray. But I got a much-needed rest in the quiet of nature. On the one sunny day, we drove to Tamarack Resort. It is between their summer and ski seasons, so we had the entire place to ourselves.

We ate lunch at The Reserve (a little spendy, but elegant and yum), then drove the resort ogling multi-million-dollar homes. Finally, we parked at the only open state park on the Tamarack side of Lake Cascade and strolled a sandy beach by the wind-swept water.

The aspens had dropped their leaves for the most part, but there were stands of lovely yellow sentinels - my first (known) encounter with the Tamarack tree, which lends the resort its name. Their contrast was striking against the evergreens, and I was amazed to learn they are both coniferous (cone-bearing) and deciduous (drop their needles).

Here are a few pictures from our trip:

Aspen bones

Majestic Yellow Tamaracks

On the writing front, you'll be happy to know that I am chugging away at Awen Tide. After entering the hand-written words from the trip, the manuscript now sits at 56K words (about halfway). And, yes, I'm on target to get it to you by late spring, woohoo!

I also retained an Author PA group - Cover 2 Cover - to create a branding package and a sell sheet for promoting my titles to bookstores and libraries. I might even ask them to help me with my newsletter. Lord knows I could use it.

AND, after much agonizing over the cover for Awen Tide, I requested a change from the designer - with a new color and a different pose. The current one just doesn't do it for me. The green disappears against the first two covers and the Awen looks distracted.

See what I mean?

LASTLY, from Thursday, October 21st, through Monday, October 25th, Awen Rising is available for FREE in ebook format.

Concurrently, but extended through Wednesday, October 27th, the price of Awen Storm has also been slashed - to $.99 - in ebook format.

So, for less than a US dollar, you can own both ebooks! That's a savings of 88%!

May this Samhain (Sow-in) season be a time of connecting with your shadow self and letting go of that which no longer serves and/or keeps you stuck.

Y'all keep reading, and I'll keep writing!

That Rebel, Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O. J. Barré

O. J. Barré is the author of the Awen Trilogy, a pre-apocalyptic urban fantasy set in 2042 Atlanta. Steeped in current, ancient, and future history twists, Book One, Awen Rising, debuted July 2019. Book Two, Awen Storm, released May 2020. Book Three, Awen Tide, is on preorder and will be released in 2022. All are (or will be) available in both paperback and ebook.

O. J.'s Awen Prequel novelette, The Druids of Marduk, Part I, is available as an ebook for purchase on Amazon (or free by signing up for her newsletter). The second installment, The Druids of Marduk, Part II: UnderEarth, is an ebook novella also available on Amazon. Part III: AboveEarth, is scheduled for a 2022 release.

Face Plant Central: Obey the Muse, Or Else

I fell on my face. Literally.

It happened two days ago, on Saturday afternoon. I worked that morning at the day job, and ran home to eat a bite before leaving for a friend's wedding. At sixty-nine, she met a wonderful man. I had been looking forward to watching her walk down that plank aisle.

It was not meant to be.

That morning, a nagging about Covid and being in close quarters with other people surfaced. I am hoping this was the likely culprit behind the fall. My being was freaked out, and this was its last-ditch effort to keep me home.

It worked.

OR ELSE...

Fortunately, I've been around long enough to know that when we don't listen to our inner promptings, they get louder. More intense. I wonder how many previous signals I ignored. You can't get much louder than a fall on the face.

After my last significant fall, which thankfully happened a long time ago, I had no idea how it occurred. One minute I was walking out of a café, the next, I was scrambling upright in the parking lot.

Sooo graceful.

This time, when the toe of my UGG boot caught the concrete seam, I was VERY aware of what was going on. It happened fast, in the blink of an eye. And, because of my forward momentum, there was no dance I could do to stop myself. No twist to throw my body weight sideways.

Nope. All I could do was go with it. And the only way to keep my head from slamming into the concrete (and possibly save my life or avoid being a vegetable) was to extend my arms. My hands contacted first, and they, along with my wrists, arms, and shoulders, acted as shock absorbers, doing everything in their power to save my gray matter and avoid a nasty splat.

Thankfully, it worked.

My face and knees smacked the concrete at about the same time. But by then, my momentum had slowed from deadly to ouchy. I ended up extended lengthwise on the driveway with my hands beneath my shoulders, arms folded under, and my lips kissing the concrete.

Sofie and Masie, the two Shih Tzus, were out front with me. They stayed by the house and never moved. I could hear neighbors talking. But when I finished taking inventory and lifted my head, there was no one in sight. 

A Photo Valarie Texted to Me

In shock, I hauled myself up and went inside. I could tell my teeth were not injured (hallelujah!), but I had two blood blisters—one on the bottom lip, the other on the top. They're both sore; the top is painful. My wrists, elbows, and arms are still sore, as are my shoulder and chest muscles. The heels of my palms are tender and sore, but not scraped because I didn't slide.

Bottom line? I am okay.

But I didn't make it to Valarie's wedding, which sucks big time. I had to text her instead. And though I'll eventually get to give her the fun gifts, I really, really wanted to be there. To support Valarie. To share in her joyous occasion. And to get out of the house and meet some new people.

But honestly? The fall could have been WAY worse. I pray I am interpreting the signal correctly.

If not? Holy crap.

When was the last time you fell? Did you hurt yourself? Was your Being trying to get your attention?

That Rebel, Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O. J. Barré

P. S. Here's Chumbawamba singing one of my favorite songs from the 90's, I Get Knocked Down.

O. J. Barré is the author of the Awen Trilogy, a pre-apocalyptic urban fantasy set in 2042 Atlanta. Steeped in current, ancient, and future history twists, Book One, Awen Rising, debuted July 2019. Book Two, Awen Storm, released May 2020. Book Three, Awen Tide, is on preorder and will be released in 2022. All are (or will be) available in both paperback and ebook.

O. J.'s Awen Prequel novelette, The Druids of Marduk, Part I, is available as an ebook for purchase on Amazon (or free by signing up for her newsletter). The second installment, The Druids of Marduk, Part II: UnderEarth, is an ebook novella also available on Amazon. Part III: AboveEarth, is scheduled for a 2022 release.