Pookie: Blog

Unfortunately, this is just an update. However, the next chapter is in the process of going through its final edits. Barring unforeseen tragedies, it will be posted next weekend.

In all likelihood, I'll be splitting it into two chapters. But! I will post them both at the same time. The chapter is that big. It covers the entire Tuesday, so you should have plenty to chew on.

I hate that it has taken me so long to post chapters this year. The summer turned out to be much busier than I had anticipated. While it has been busy, I've been able to do a lot of writing as well.

I started to post updates to my blog, but then didn't know what to post as an update since I really didn't know when chapter 56 would be posted. I've also totally neglected my email. I've partly done that because in the past it has slowed me down even more when I'm struggling to find time to write.

So, for those I owe emails, I apologize. For those waiting and checking every week for a chapter, I apologize as well. It's the nature of being an amateur writer with a husband and kids.

Nick, my editor, has been very patient with me as well. I very much appreciate ALL the time he devotes to helping make "Melissa's Secrets" what it is. As I head down the homestretch with this book, there are so many continuity checks that have to be made. Needless to say, this story would be a mess without him.

Again, thanks for hanging in there ... one more week!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Pookie
9/13/14

Well, it's been a busy few months. But, I believe I'll be ready to post the next chapter this coming Monday, June 30.

Actually, I'll be posting two chapters that day:

Chapter 54 - The Other Box of Books - Sunday, August 6 (119k)
Chapter 55 - The After Party - Sunday, August 6 (97k)

These chapters will cover the entire day for a change. Chapter 54 will reveal what is in the box that Melissa took by mistake. The item Melissa and Sarah find will start the two of them on a quest that will bring them much closer together than they've been over the past year. How can they find the proof they need to completely unravel the huge secret they discover in that box? Will they stumble upon even more things in the process?

I believe you will also enjoy chapter 55 as well. The Livingstons' house becomes quite a busy place!

Have a fun weekend!

Pookie
6/26/14

Chapter 54 is coming along fine. It's going to be another very large chapter. It will cover the entire day of Sunday, which will include a major discovery by Melissa.

I'm taking my time with this chapter to make sure I get everything right the first time. My editor, Nick, has been a big help in doing that.

I know I owe a number of people email replies. I hope to have some time this weekend to spend replying to them. I don't want to just only say "thanks" after the time you took in preparing your feedback.

Hang in there! Hopefully it won't be very much longer!

Pookie
5/24/14

"Chapter 53 - The Old Munson House" has been posted. This is a very long chapter, my longest to date. However, it does cover the rest of the day.

Quite a bit goes on in this chapter. Melissa learns quite a bit about her mother's parents that she never knew, as well as some new things about her mother's youth.

There are some very key moments in this chapter. A few of them are very subtle. I wonder if you'll pick up on them.

I also reposted a few other chapters:

Chapter 30 - the word "heroin" was misspelled.
Chapter 47 - additional dialogue added between Melissa and Sarah to deal with a continuity issue. Several typos were also fixed.
Chapter 50 - a typo was fixed.
Chapter 51 - fixed several grammatical issues.
Chapter 52 - additional dialogue added between Melissa and Maggie before leaving for Long Cane. Several slight wording changes also.

Have a fun weekend!

Pookie
4/12/14

I had hoped to have chapter 53 ready to post long before now. But, things have certainly not gone as planned. First, the weather threw a monkey wrench into my plans. Then, about a week ago, the monkey wrench killed my laptop. Fortunately I had everything saved and backed up! Now I'm trying to decide what to replace the laptop with - another laptop or something else, like a chromebook. I hope to have that taken care of soon.

It could take a few more weeks to post chapter 53. It is huge in size, so there will be a lot to read when you get it. It will cover the entire Saturday in Long Cane. I've resisted breaking the chapter in half. It seems to frustrate readers more than satisfying them.

So, hang in there!

Pookie
3/21/14