…though it’s really not fun to rewrite or re-record your book, there are advantages. My first book was so difficult to write because the entire story line and characters and setting were being created for the first time. Writing sequels wasn’t as difficult because they fed off the basics that were put in place in the first book. But here we are, the entire trilogy online with BN, iTunes, and Amazon and all three recorded and available on Audible.com. Sounds like a done deal, right? Welllll….since I’m a lot more experienced writer than I was with my first book, Consuming Fire: An Alexa Silven Novel, my editor and now manager, Dan, and I have decided to rewrite and update Consuming Fire. At first, I was disagreeable because that’s a lot of work. But as we progress, I’m actually excited to see this story evolving into something I’m really proud of. My son Dan is »
Cloud 9 and Grateful!!
Oct. 17 – Cloud 9 and Grateful!! Thank you to everyone who participated in the Amazon Giveaway of Consuming Fire: An Alexa Silven Novel !!! 50 free eBooks were claimed within minutes! I would love to know what you think about the book. Stay tuned for future giveaways. And don’t forget to check our blogs on cbhoffmann.com.
Voice-Over Training
Oct. 3 – Hi! It’s been awhile, but I’ve been busy recording our books and writing about planet Metus. Recording and voice-overs were totally foreign to me until Dan set up the equipment and got me started. He also arranged for a training session with Eric of Phantom City Studios. There are always some tricks and techniques you wouldn’t figure out on your own, so I paid close attention and got some hands-on training. Eric did a good job! Mark is helping with the media inserts for these blogs. Hey! It’s definitely a team effort! My thanks to Dan & Mark for keeping our boat afloat.
Trip to D.C., Day 1
The highlight of the day and my writing career happened after the funeral. My writing partner and son, Dan, and his wife Emille went to the Library of Congress with me to hand deliver the last three manuscripts for copyrighting. We followed the yellow brick road in the underground tunnel to the Madison Building. Helpful employees kept us going in the right direction to the Copyright Office where we gave our submissions to the clerk. Love the Alexa silhouette Dan made! Lots of fun photographing it everywhere! Dan has really creative ideas and made this whole event memorable while my husband and son, Mark, kept circling the block waiting for us to emerge victorious.
Trip to Washington, DC
Wednesday morning and we are up at 5 AM and on the road to DC by 5:55. It’s good that we are due at my husband’s mother’s funeral by 1 PM tomorrow. Interesting that she died exactly one year ago and Arlington has finally slotted her internment. We also have to help prepare their cabin for sale. I am motivated to get us past Richmond, VA by 6 PM tonight. (And I did!) It was almost like running away from the mixed emotions and sadness I’m leaving behind. Acclimating to a different course, a different purpose after 29 years of teaching is a bit confusing… I’m in a tailspin. But I know God is in charge and won’t let go of me.
Countdown: 1 Day
Today, we had to help process all the Seniors who’ve returned to settle any debts or obligations before being allowed to walk. I handled the request forms for final transcripts. Good to see them one last time. Monday was Memorial Day and today is my final day as an OCPS teacher. I volunteered to substitute for a teacher who suddenly rushed to the hospital with contractions. I know she’s more than ready to have that baby. It was wonderful to meet her students – they’re AP (advanced placement)- and so polite and interesting. One of the best principals I’ve ever known just came in and placed a bracelet on my arm. I’ll cherish it. Acts of kindness should be cherished, especially in this world of insanity.
Countdown: 2 Days
OK, it’s official now – the Seniors are gone and I’m stuck here submitting grades. Even a bad day with them is more fun than this. It feels good, though, seeing how many of them are really graduating (all of mine) and mostly all of others’ classes. Good job.
Countdown: 3 Days
Third and last day for Seniors. The Administration has created an inflatable version of the fair scene at the end of “Grease.” I’m manning the inflated Olympic Sports station. Three hours in the Florida sun wearing a Gator baseball cap and drinking a bottle of water. Watching them, stuffing it all in my memory for future recall. Things I don’t want to forget. Three days to go.
Countdown: 4 Days
Second day of final exams so I don’t see every class every day. It’s hard to realize that I’ll not only be losing them to graduation, but I’ll be parting with the last classes of my high school teaching career. Sadness mixed with anticipation… what a mixed up mess inside my heart. In many ways I’m experiencing the same things they are. We’re all getting out of high school! Think of it as graduation day for me, too! Four days to go.
Countdown: 5 Days
The last week before I leave 29 years of teaching. What I’ll miss the most are these great kids. Sure, they make me crazy sometimes but no one’s perfect… including me. Today, there’s a lot of “no one’s perfect” floating around here. They’re Seniors and these are their last 3 days of high school. It’s next to impossible to expect them to stay focused on anything but graduation. Me? Their excitement is catching. It’s getting harder to stay focused for me, too. But somehow, I can’t let them know that. Five days to go.
