There are many great reviews out there, offering words to convince you to read this book… but I’ll give you a visual pitch—the poster, which I was commissioned to create as an pre-order extra. My hope is that it will get you curious about the tale behind it. Click the image to see a larger, more readable, version. You can check out Matchbox Girls at the author’s landing page.

Our cats are always by my side as I work. It’s one of the benefits of having a home office. My office window has a ledge specifically for them, and it’s just an arm’s length away from my desk. They keep me grounded. Having cats has taught me a few things, and I’d like to share them with you.

Live in the present. — It’s really all that matters. At least until you hear a can of food being opened. Or in my case, smell the coffee brewing.

Good things happen when you purr, not when you hiss. — That’s when you get treats. This applies to the online world just as much as when you step out the door. People like you better when you’re positive, and that reaps rewards.

Don’t skip a meal. — Keep your tummy happy and it won’t distract you while you’re trying to focus on other things. My cat Jonesy (photo above), who really appreciates his food dish, taught me this one.

Meow often. — Taught to me by Nimbus, who is not even Siamese. Toot your own horn. I mean, try not to be obnoxious about it—and combine it with purrs while trying to look cute—but be proud of yourself and share with the world.

Cuddle with those you love. — Even if they’re busy, they’ll appreciate it within minutes. Plus, you’ll feel better too.

Be playful. — Have fun with daily things. Everything can be a game if you make it one.

Be curious. — That’s how you find stuff out, and some of that stuff could be the coolest thing you’ve found so far. Seriously: life-changing stuff.

Schedule time to do nothing at all. — Including naps, which are awesome. Meditate. Take a bath. Let life slow down for a bit. Take a look outside and watch the birds. Just chill.

Enjoy some inexpensive fun. — Our cats love cardboard boxes, paper bags, and rings from the milk bottle. Some of the best fun costs the least. Write in a journal, window shop at the thrift store, go to the park, check out the bargain movies, play a game of cribbage, or read a pile of library books.

Find the sunny spot and bask in it. — Stretch out. Breathe. Soak in the rays and let them warm your soul.

I’ll add another one, because there are plenty of cats and dogs (and other critters) yearning to be adopted out there: find yourself a pet—whichever kind suits you, however big or small. I’ve read that people with animal companions are less stressed and that they live longer. I’m willing to bet that it’s true.

And lucky me!—I’ve had the honor of spending more time with three of the characters, illustrating their portraits [below] for a series of ‘wanted’ posters that were offered as a pre-order bonus.

Both books are published by innovative publisher Candlemark & Gleam. You can get your copies at their website, as well as from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

I like to write in longhand often. Today, I’m cracking open a new Moleskine. As much as I love Moleskines, I think I might soon have to switch to cheap notebooks—not so much because of the cost, but because of the pressure I feel to write perfect stuff in a Moleskine.

I learned a lot from finishing NaNoWriMo, but the most important thing was to loosen up and write crap. I was surprised that a good deal of that frenzied garbage I thought I was writing turned out to be brilliant—or at least useable.

My 30-day novel (51,000 words of drug-tripping parallel-universe sci-fi) lit up my mind more than I’d expected. The sheer speed of a 30-day book (my last book, an epic at 148,000 words, took years) forced me to shut off my inner editor and just enjoy writing.

So, I’m looking at this fresh Moleskine today. I vow to scribble, blotch, and dogear this thing. OCD tendencies have no place in notes and early drafts. Rules are (sing along!): make it messy and make it fun—no editing until it’s done.

“What really knocks me out is a book that, when you’re all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn’t happen much, though.” ― J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

Sometimes the wish is real. In my case, that author is Natania Barron.

I’m biased, being linked to her through possibly a few lifetimes of friendship… but her book is delightful, full of wonder, and charged with characters worth meeting. If you’re looking for a new book to lose yourself in―this is the one.

Pilgrim of the Sky ~ a novel by Natania Barron

Winter here in Arizona is truly beautiful. This is a photograph I took last year during Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden.

Portrait sketch created in Corel Painter.

I’m now a first-time NaNoWriMo winner. 50,232 words. My finished novel(la) is one of those bad first drafts that I wouldn’t dare show a soul, but I’m proud of it all the same. NaNoWriMo is really about giving yourself permission to just write and not stop and judge.

It was a difficult month to take such a task on, given that I was out of town enough that it was more like 20 days than 30. Still, I quickly learned that I can write a lot more in a day than I’d ever thought. Some days were over 4,000 words. I’m going to try and keep up a similar writing schedule now that November is over. Maybe I’ll even try an artwork-a-week idea for the times I need a break from words and want to go visual.

Things I discovered while NaNoWriMo-ing that are useful with any kind of goal:

• Surround yourself with like-minded folks. When you’re all driving toward a goal together, the trip is a lot more fun.
• Realize you don’t need hours to get things done. Ten or fifteen minutes here and there, if you focus, can accomplish a lot.
• Find inspiration. Yep, that might mean carving out a little time to read or go for a walk or listen to music. Odds are you’ll return fresh and with new ideas, thus making the time well spent.
• Tell yourself you can do this and imagine it done. Don’t doubt you’ll reach your goal. Only focus on the positive.

Congratulations to those of you who won this year and also to those who made the attempt, whether you finished or not. Here’s to the year ahead—may it be filled with good news and great things!

This month I’ve been busy with NaNoWriMo, writing 50,000 words in 30 days. First time I’ve participated. So far, so good. It’s mid-point and I’ve hit 30,000 words. What’s more, I have actually grown to love the story I’m creating. I admit, I didn’t expect love on such a deadline, especially since I usually outline and plot far in advance and I didn’t do that this time because I signed up at the last minute. But I think it’s essential that you fall in love with your story when doing NaNoWriMo, otherwise it’s going to be struggle to keep going.

I’m discovering that the best thing about writing a book from beginning to end in a month is that you’re forced to ignore your inner editor and just focus on writing without doubting yourself. Editing is for another month!

Although it’s long, 50,000 words is more novella than novel. Still, I think it’s important to get to the end on 50,000 words (or just slightly over). There’s a satisfaction in that, plus you’re going to fill it out and cut it up once the month is over. That’s when it will really grow and change into a true novel.

So, how do I keep up the pace? Two things have helped me greatly:

• Setting a timer and writing in sprints. I personally use the Pomodoro technique and write in 25 minute sprints. In that time, I generally write between 600 and 800 words. Takes a big bite out of that word count!
• Thinking in scenes instead of chapters, and writing lots of scenes. Scenes can be divided into chapters later.

I’ve made many awesome new friends while doing NaNoWriMo. We’re all plugging along at our novels together and that’s really the best part. So many of us tend to write in isolation and this shared experience brings us together as a community. It reminds us of our connection. We don’t have to go it alone! And when November is over and the words are all written, we can still encourage one another and grow our friendships along with our novels.

I’m currently working on my NaNoWriMo novel (or novella, if I actually stop at 50,000 words). I’m writing a near-future/alternate-universe sci-fi tale. I’ve noticed some of you create your book cover as inspiration as you write. Instead of a cover, I decided to paint one of my lead characters as I imagine her so far.

Good luck to those of you doing NaNoWriMo this year!