Monday crazy in the desert!

Okay, so it's Monday and I'm waiting on yet another service guy to show up so I can get to my exercise class on time. At this point, looks like I may have to skip it today. Sigh.

Meanwhile, kudos to my niece, Sky, who won 4 first place trophies at her dance competition! You rock, cutie! Okay, so I'm a bit proud. After all, her auntie here started out life as a dancer, then migrated to theater and film/TV, before focusing on writing. Boy, do I have some stories to tell about that former life. Uh-hum. Well, that's another story for another time. Preferably when all my nieces and nephews are grandparents!

So this week I'll be writing, while trying to organize workers and get our new pool installed. Noise, dust and frustrations can make me one crazy in the desert. At least it's in the 80s today so that's a boon. Back to work on Desert Magick series.

Happy reading!

Grand Desert Days!

Well, I had a blast Saturday at the Grand Desert Days in Morristown, AZ. I enjoyed reading to an audience and answering questions about my books and about publishing. If you were there, thanks so much for stopping by. While there, I was asked to speak to a local writers group this summer and am looking forward to that, as well. And we had nice weather too, so a big thanks goes out to Mother Nature! Especially since we're supposed to reach 100 today. Early even for us. My a/c kicked on a while ago.

I took the morning to work out and run some much-needed errands. Now that all that is done, I can get to some serious work on the next Desert Magick book. Had several requests on Saturday for a sneak preview, as well as a publication date. Trying very hard to get finish so my editor can go over it this summer. Goal is to have it published before the end of this year.

Also, I heard from my publisher that my young adult fantasy Breach of Worlds is scheduled for release this summer, and my adult Teadai Prophecies fantasy trilogy should follow soon afterward. I'll post when those ebooks are available and in what formats as soon as I know.

Happy reading!

Grand Desert Days and NASA!

I've been gearing up for the 2nd Annual Grand Desert Days Festival and Charity Event this Saturday, April 18th. I'll be reading from my new novel Desert Magick: Superstitions and, boy, has it been a challenge finding an excerpt tame enough for any junior ears that may wander in. But I found one! I'm scheduled to read at 1:15pm but will be signing books from 10am - 2pm. If you're in the Phoenix area, please come out and join the fun. More info on the appearances page of my website www.danadaviswriting.com

Meanwhile, while recently going over some old family photos, I was reminded of my kid-dom days when I used to stomp around NASA's Johnson Space Center. My brother and I used to walk around the grounds and the buildings back in the day. We really loved that and eating at the cafe with the workers. Our grandfather was an engineer for NASA at Cape Canaveral and Huntsville in the 70s, and I remember watching the Apollo-Soyuz launch from the beach with the other families. Yep, I'm dating myself here. But, hey, I'm younger than the Brady kids. Grandpa told us he launched the rocket by pressing the button with his right index finger. Of course, we kids believed him. Grandpa was a storyteller as well as an engineer. One of my nieces now works at NASA, so guess we're keepin' it in the family! I told her when she finishes her astronomy degree, I get to pick her brain for my sci-fi novels.

Well, back to rehearsing that excerpt.

Happy reading!

Allergy season in the Valley of the Sun!

Well, hubby and I have been dealing with seasonal allergies the past couple of weeks. Difficult to write when your eyes are watering and you keep sneezing every few minutes. Sheesh! You wouldn't think allergies exist in the desert, but let me tell you, they hit here with a vengeance. I read and article today that said we get a triple whammy because everything pollinates at once around here. Even so, I still love having the windows open. It's in the 80s today and I can't imagine not having that fresh air in my home.

My over-the-counter meds kicked in and I finally stopped all the allergy stuff, so I can now concentrate on Desert Magick: Dream Catcher novel. Am working hard to get it finished and published by the end of the year. My electronic novels, Breach of Worlds and the Teadai Prophecies trilogy for adults, are scheduled for release this year. I'll post when I have a set publication date. Meanwhile, Daisy, Bridgette and Noah are kicking butt in my newest novel, along with a new character, so I'd better get back to them. Yes, characters take on a life of their own and boy do they let me know when I'm ignoring them. Hm, maybe I should give one of them a few allergies just for bugging me today.

For those in the Phoenix area, I'll be reading from Desert Magick: Superstitions out in Morristown on April 18th at 1:15pm. Info is the appearances page of my website www.danadaviswriting.com

Take care out there and stay away from that pollen.

Happy reading!