BAM! It’s What’s New Wednesday time! This week, the theme is “watch me prove you wrong”, which is totally my current mood. For me, the best motivator is when I’m being underestimated. I thrive when everyone (including myself) expects me to wither, because the doubt fuels me in ways I can’t completely explain. It’s weird. *shrugs* I’m weird. But hey, it gets the job done. 🙂
So, I’m embracing the emotion in all aspects of my life this week, because why not? Why not use a supposed weakness to your own advantage?
Watch Me Prove You Wrong
Writing
As I’ve mentioned before, things haven’t worked out entirely the way I had planned at the start of the year, but it’s cool. When I say something’s going to get done, it gets done … eventually. And while my scheduling is currently a joke, I’m getting there. Slowly, yes, but making progress nevertheless.
I’m currently getting ready to market THE BONE CARVER, but at the same time I’m also prepping to get back and complete the third book in The Night Weaver Series. I’m super excited about both these books, because not only do I get to return to Shadow Grove, but I’m proud of the plot outlines. Yesterday, I did a post about THE BONE CARVER actually, so if you’re intrigued about what it’s about, check out A Terrifying Legend Comes to Life in THE BONE CARVER. Expect to be very scared. Muhahaha!
In the meantime, I’m writing the last few chapters of the first book in a new series. Hopefully, I can get done with that by next week Sunday, maybe sooner if I really push myself. *pats self on the back* Then, all I have left to do is self-edit it, before the manuscript goes off to my agent. Whoohoo! 💃
I also need to sort out another book (a novella I thought I finished writing in the beginning of the year) before spring arrives in the Southern Hemisphere. This one has been giving me headaches, though, because something just doesn’t work and I can’t figure out what that something is. It happens. Luckily, I have enough motivation to propel me to the finishing line, so to that little voice in the back of my head saying I’ll never get everything done … Watch me prove you wrong. 😉
Coming Soon
Surprise! I am pleased (and super excited) to announce that Vesuvian Books will breathe new life into … *drumroll* … DARK COUNTRY come 2021. It’s the first book in a horror trilogy, set in South Africa, and it is not for the young’uns. 😈 Here’s the synopsis to whet your appetite:
Too often people mistake monsters for gods.
When a ravaged corpse is discovered in Pretoria, South Africa, Esmé Snyder—an occult-crime expert—is called in to investigate. But she doesn’t know the scope of what she’s up against. Esmé is the target of a cat-and-mouse game with a serial killer who uses the paranormal to do his bidding, with the intent of becoming a god on Earth.
With assistance from her team—a brusque detective, eccentric millionaire, stoic priest, hawkeyed secretary, and handsome British forensic criminologist—Esmé hopes to find the killer before he strikes again.
But the clock isn’t all that’s working against them. The media catches wind of the threat against the citizens of Pretoria, and their reported speculations promise a post-Apartheid Satanic Panic.
As the body count grows, Esmé must figure out who is behind the heinous crimes before she ends up the final sacrifice.
Dark Country highlights the multicultural mythologies, magic, histories, beauty, and horror of living in pseudo-modern South Africa.
*happy dance* Eeeep! See? I told you there were books coming. Keep an eye on the site for more exciting development news regarding DARK COUNTRY.
Film/TV
Another show that caught my eye, which I’m planning to binge-watch at some point during this week, is none other than Ju-On: Origins. I’m a huge fan of the Ju-On universe (that’s The Grudge for those who don’t know) and was pleasantly surprised when I saw this Netflix show pop up in my suggestions. I hope it’s scary enough to give me nightmares … EEEP!
Books
My reading habits have also taken a bit of a backseat these days, because I’m fixated on finishing my own projects. This basically means I’m still on my re-read of Deon Meyer’s Fever (it’s a great book, so I’m not complaining), but I have a few other books lined up for when I’m ready to get back to my normal reading routine. Don’t worry, I’ll get into depth with all my upcoming reads in no time. 🙂
Gardening
I’ll be honest: I’m not the best gardener. My green thumb is more “decay green” than “grow green”, if you know what I mean. Seriously, sometimes I just look at a plant and it dies. Why? No idea. Heck, this year even the grass died under my watch. 🤣 Still, I’m persistent. I want to grow something—anything. So, now I’ve gone into succulents. I mean, everyone says they’re hardy, so why not at least try. Besides, I want to prove myself (and my decay green thumb) wrong. LOL!
About two weeks ago, I started off small with a succulent centerpiece for my dining room table. It’s still a work in progress, though. As you can see in the picture, there are some open spots that needs filling in (and I’ve cleaned the dirt off of the succulents by now). BUT so far, none of my succulents have died. Whoohoo! I’m hoping this time I don’t kill my plants, because they look so pretty.
Due to my cautious optimism, I’ve also started a large succulent planter outside (I’ll show a picture once that one is done). 🙂
So, that’s it for this week’s What’s New Wednesday. As you can see, I am determined and getting rid of the self-doubt that so often plagues me. Let’s hope this change becomes a permanent mindset.
Have a great week, everyone! I’ll see you again soon.
Monique
