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Formatting: Fun and Frustrating
I’m using Scrivener for revisions and editing, and I used it to compile the epubs for my ARCs. It’s been going pretty well, although it took about a week of watching YouTube videos and Scrivener tutorials to figure out how to add images to the manuscript. I’m reasonably happy with how the ebook looks now,…
How to forward email from Outlook 365 to Gmail
8/20/23 When I got my new email assigned to my domain through GoDaddy, I was excited to use it, but first I wanted to set it up to forward all my emails to the Gmail account I use regularly. This proved harder than expected. Whether I tried to forward to a Gmail account, or an…
Unmagical is back on Kindle Vella!
Unmagical started out as a 25 episode story on Kindle Vella (titled Cate the Cursed). After two years of work, it’s about to be published as a novel on Kindle Unlimited. To celebrate, I’m releasing the newest draft back to Kindle Vella for early access! If you were with me in 2021-22 for Cate the…
Tarot Tuesday
As of today I’ve officially completed edits on the first ten chapters of my manuscript. It’s the next three that are going to be tricky. The climax of act one doesn’t so much need edits, as it does basically need to be scrapped and rewritten. So that’s the next 3-4 chapters I’ll be working on…
Tarot Tuesday
Deck: Everyday Tarot Trying a new spread for the new moon via @thewitchoftheforest Overall, this is a very balanced spread. All the suits are represented, and we have aces through kings, so the whole cycle is covered. I don’t think I could pulled better cards for a new moon. It’s all about embracing new beginnings…
Tarot Tuesday
The Fool Beginnings, innocence, spontaneity The Moon Illusion, intuition, uncertainty Three of Wands Momentum, foresight, progress Jumper: Seven of Wands Challenge, perseverance, defense My six-year-old joined the swim team this year. At the first practice, he was informed that as a new swimmer, he needed to practice in the first lane, where he could get…
Writing Goals
This week I need to finish the new revision of my reverse outline of Cate the Cursed. That means reviewing all the notes from my editor (both on the manuscript and in the notebook I marked up when we talked), sorting out my magic system, and clarifying who knows what/when/how. So many secrets. It’s kind…
Progress Check
I had one goal for this week: to finish the short story I’m writing about Cate’s brother, Thomas. It’s not done. But the week’s not over yet, and I have excellent excuses. 😉 Writer-y things I accomplished this week: ✅ 1670 words added to the aforementioned story. ✅ Scheduled interviews with Jillian Dodd and Theodora…
Tarot Tuesday
Justice Consequences, cause and effect, accountability The truth will come out. Expect a fair judgement, or make one yourself. Wheel of Fortune Luck, destiny, cycles, karma The Wheel turns, bringing change and opportunity. What you send out into the universe comes back. It might be time to make a decision. Knight of Cups Creativity, charm,…
Writing Goals
I didn’t get much done on my manuscript last week since it was the kids’ last week at school (So. Many. Parties.), and I had an article due. But I did set up my series bible and rethink some of the details of my magic system. (Also, check out my last post for the huge…
Progress Check
Crushed the goals this week, y’all. Crushed. Them. Writing and Writing Business Things I Accomplished This Week: -Wrote an article about Google Analytics for IAM -Learned a lot about the old Analytics (Universal Analytics) vs the new Analytics (GA4) -Started working with a friend and amazing graphic designer on a new logo -Tested the new…
Progress Check
The new story is about halfway done, and I’m working on a magic personality test to go with it, so you can see what your Gift might be in Queen’s Creek. The magic of Queen’s Creek is elemental, and the Gifts align with the associated suits of the tarot. So, witches who draw their power…
Progress Check
This week I did some reading, listened to a bunch of podcasts, and revised my draft of Cate the Cursed one more time before I send it to my editor next week. (!!!!!) The big news, though, is that I finally pulled the trigger on my author newsletter! If you loved Practical Magic and Veronica…
Tarot Tuesday
10 of CupsHappiness, Homecoming, FulfillmentWhy was my first thought, “Count your blessings?” But it’s in @peggymusik’s voice. #villainera #villainsarentborntheyremade 9 of Wandsresilience, courage, persistenceThis one also had an immediate personal connection, since I just visited a brave little girl with a broken wrist.Standing strong in the face of adversity… but I think it’s an internal…
Writing Goals
I have one week left before my manuscript goes to the editor, so I’m going to try and do one more read-through this week. It’s terrifying and exciting at the same time… Because I’m hopeful that reading it again after a few months off will get me excited about writing more, and motivate me to…
Progress Check
This week I made progress on: ✅ setting up my newsletter✅ creating content for socials✅ watching tutorials on publishing and marketing✅ reading mentor texts✅ filling the well Not a lot writing again this week, but I’m starting to recognize my energy cycle and find ways to still feel productive when I’m consuming instead of creating.…
Coming soon…
Just about ready to launch something new… I’m putting together some things I’ve been working on for my self-assigned reading project. Who’s interested in receiving a witchy, writerly, bookish newsletter once a month? There will be book recommendations sharing some of my favorite authors (fantasy, magical realism, cozy mystery, and nonfiction in related fields), mini…
This Year’s Reading… So Far…
I’m a bit all over the place, huh? Genres represented: What are you reading?
Spring Growth
Good morning! It is gorgeous outside today. So, instead of doing the stuff on my to-do list, I did some gardening. Yesterday, I took the boys to the garden center to pick out some plants, but it was dark and rainy, so the plants spent the night in the garage. I had to move my…
Writing Goals
I had grand plans for getting a bunch of words down this morning… And then the bus was late, so I walked the kids to school. It was beautiful. And then the dog needed to go out, so I kept walking. It was peaceful. And then, since I was listening to an audiobook while I…
Progress Check
So, on Monday, I posted that the goals for this week were to have something I’m proud of to post about. Possibilities included:◻ Completing a chapter of Cate 2◻Completing enough of my new vella to post it◻Completing a chapter of the Hunters’ story◻Drafting a reader magnet for Cate 1 I accomplished none of these. It’s…
Tarot Spread for St. Mark’s Eve
The visions that Blue sees at the church on St. Mark’s Eve drive her actions through the rest of The Raven Cycle. Proving it’s novel introduction true, I had never heard of the holiday, or it’s traditions before The Raven Boys. Here’s an explanation from the Stiefvaterland Discord: More about St. Mark’s Eve. So, in…
Writing Goals
Having a rough time getting started today. It’s feeling like a very MONDAY Monday for some reason. So, goals for this week are to have something I’m proud of to post about for the progress check on Friday. Possibilities include:◻ Completing a chapter of Cate 2◻Completing enough of my new vella to post it◻Completing a…
Progress Check
The Write All The Things experiment went pretty well this week. I added over 1000 word to my Sixes revision, and got down almost 900 words on my new Vella. No new words for Cate 2 or the Hunters this week, despite leaving those tabs open all week. Other writing-related things:✅ revised my IAM article✅…
Reading Assignments
I’m almost caught up with my self-assigned reading. At least, I’m on track to be back on track by the end of the month. I’ve read:A Spell in the Wild through April (p260). #alicetarbuckThe Dabbler’s Guide to Witchcraft through p138 (the chapter on developing a filter) #firelyteFearless Writing through p130 (the chapter on procrastination) #williamkenower…
Tarot Tuesday
The EmpressFeminine, nurture, abundance Knight of SwordsAction, ambition, focus Seven of WandsChallenge, protection, perseverance Ok, so there’s a creative impulse that needs to be nurtured, but it can only grow to reach it’s potential if you focus and take action. Face your challenges and keep moving in the direction of your ambition. Also, can we…
Writing Goals
Have written 326 words today. Got a little distracted exploring Scribophile, which looks like it’s going to be really useful for critiques. Then I watched a Scrivener webinar that turned out not to actually be about Scrivener, so much as it was sharing a very specific template for Worldbuilding 
I mean, don’t get me…
Progress Check
Last week I used the wrong image for this post, if that tells you anything about how things have been going 🙃 This week I:✅ Wrote a new article for Indie Author Magazine✅ Watched some videos from last year’s 20 Books to 50K conference✅ Wondered if I could justify going this year (spoiler: I can’t.…
Tarot Tuesday
Where should my focus be this week? The Hermitintrospection, reflection, solitude Still working from home. Lol Page of Pentaclesmanifestation, opportunity, skill development Not really starting any new new projects, but I am getting back into the learner mindset and trying to master a few new skills. Ten of Pentaclessecurity, family, privilege Pulled the family card…
Progress Check
This week is my kids’ Spring Break.We opted out of traveling in favor of paying some bills, but still had something going every day. We went to the @sciencemuseumofvirginia (TWICE), saw a dome show about superhero dogs (6-year-old said this was better than Mario!) went to the movie theater (MARIO!), played some games (MARIO KART!),…
Reading Assignments
Getting back on track with my self-assigned required reading. Turns out, if I get in 1000words in the morning, I don’t feel obligated to sit and stare at a blank screen all day. And then it’s easier to put down my phone, settle into the big comfy chair with my paperbacks and a pen. So,…
Tarot Tuesday
Tarot Tuesday Vibes of the Week via @northernlightstarot Vibes of the Week: The Hanged Manletting go, working on getting a new perspective I mean… it’s Spring Break, so. We’re literally taking a pause right now 😉 Hidden Opportunity: Four of WandsAppreciation, homecoming Spring Break! Staycation time! Keep your eye on: Two of Wandsprogress, planning This…
Writing Goals
It’s spring break, so…. You know. #excuses I got up early and wrote for two hours this morning (around 1000 words) and then switched to full time momming. Gonna see if I can get some more in tonight and then repeat tomorrow.
Progress Check
It was another really low writing week, and here’s how I’ve decided to view that: This is an input week, not an output week because, because, because, because, becaaaaaaause… IDK, maybe the wizard will give me the words next week. Seriously. The story is there. It’s going to get written. Maybe it’s not fully baked…
Tarot Tuesday
A weekly Check-in Spread from @homeboundtarot 1) What is energizing me?The King of Pentaclesabundance, security, success I’m definitely feeling like things about to go on the upswing around here. There are a bunch of projects I’m excited about. Oh, the possibilities. 2) Where can I expect to need grace?The Magicianwillpower, manifestation, resourcefulness Yeah… so many…
Writing Goals
I have somehow ended up with four WIPs that aren’t going anywhere. So this week I’m going to try shortening my sprints and hopping around the projects as the mood strikes. No word counts, minimum of three sprints a day. I have two videos left in Maggie Stiefvater’s seminar, so I’m going to finish that…
Progress Check
I’m getting back into it. Today I wrote a decent chunk of chapter on my phone while running an errand. Then I came home and finished the scene on my laptop. Am now completely out of Act 1 and into Act 2. I got a little stuck when I realized the Fun and Games notes…
Writing Goals
I spent most of my day today making ancient Egypt themed cupcakes for my almost-nine-year-old birthday boy, who has recently taken an increased interest in Social Studies. (I think it’s the myths.) Turns out, Ancient Egypt is not as popular a party theme as you might think… If it had been a jungle, I would…
Writing Goals
Over the weekend, I read through what I had of Act 1, got some very helpful comments from my alpha reader (thanks @katkeenanbooks!), and did some quick revisions to help me get into Act 2. So, I went from around 16k words to down to 12k, and I’m now back up to 13k. And I…
Progress Check
Y’all. Y’all. You All. I have one scene left to finish the shitty first act of the sucky first draft of Cate 2. Yes, I did just make up another milestone. But my word count has a downward trend over the course of a week, so I’m doing what has to be done to hype…
Tarot Tuesday
The Fool- new beginnings, opportunity, freedom, adventure Nothing but potential in front of me. Take chances and embrace a sense of wonder Nine of Swords- anxiety, fear, isolation, nightmares Beware of self-fulfilling prophecies and repeating past mistakes, the mind turning in itself. Focus on the things you can control. Ask for help. Seven of Wands-…
Writing Goals
This week…. words, words, words.All the words. No matter what order. No matter how fast they come. Drafting is a different kind of hard than editing was. I’m building something that I hope will stand, but it’s just as likely to collapse or grow wings. I think I’m about 5000 words from breaking into Act…
Progress Check
This week I wrote 5,173 words, of which around 1200 will be published in Indie Author Magazine next month. My article for this month: “Back to Basics: How Writers Can Make the Most of Google Docs and Microsoft Word” is live today. Most of the rest of the words are filling out act 1 of…
Writing Goals
How is February over already? I feel like I looked at my goals for the month, and then it was over. So, yeah, what I’m saying here is that I completed exactly none of the goals that were set for this month, and even if this week brings an unexpected burst of productivity, I’m not…
Writing Goals
Remember last week? Yeah. It’s a do-over. The kids have two days off from school, and the teachers left them about a week’s worth of asynchronous work, so we’re all just going to do our best and hope it’s enough.
Tarot Tuesday
This week’s spread is three cards. I asked a question about my progress toward publishing (and that’s all you need to know right now). The first card was the Fool. So. There’s that. LOL But really, he’s just a newbie, starting out on a journey, excited, and maybe not as cautious as he could be.…
Writing Goals
I’m late posting my goals today because I spent most of it catching up on the goals I didn’t finish last week. But I’m done now. Yay! ✅ Draft #6 of Cate the Cursed✅ Complete 25 episodes of The Devil in the Details February Goals:☑️ Query Cate the Cursed☑️ Draft a reader magnet☑️ Start drafting…
Tarot Tuesday
Just a quick three-card spread between chores today. Four of Pentacles – This card shows a character who is saving her wealth, and it might be good, financial stability and solid investments, or it might be possessive behavior, or excessive caution. The Chariot – This card is in the major arcana, so it usually has…
Writing Goals
This week is for big picture revisions. I did leave myself a little work last week, since I didn’t actually rewrite those last three pages, but I think those will come after I finish this last read-through. On the Vella front, I also need to write the last episode of The Devil in the Details…
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Jenn Lessmann 