Spiders, upcoming reunions, audio auditions, and life.

Today's freebie is about as creepy as they come. SPIDERS. You might not be arachnophobic, but let me know if you get through all of these without getting at least one case of heebie-jeebies.

With the year coming to an end, you would think that this is time for things to wind down. Strangely, it is just the opposite here in our home. In the next few days I have a reunion with my daughter after 16 years apart (still nervous as heck!), the release of the new DEAD book...number 5 in the series! Toss in the holidays and the open auditions for three of my titles for the audio book format--Zomblog, Dakota, and That Ghoul Ava: Her first Adventures, life is absolutely insane.

The past few days, I have been thinking back to where things were a year ago at this time. I was delivering the local paper seven days a  week in the middle of the night for next to nothing and then delivering local phone books by day. If I was getting four hours of sleep...it was a good day. 

Denise and I were still in two separate residences and seeing each other a couple hours here and there when we could. She was still searching for a job, and getting really frustrated. 

And on the average, my books were selling 30-40 units per month TOTAL between ALL the titles.

Now, I am editing--including the back catalogs--for two amazing authors (Mark Tufo and John O'Brien) and in talks with a few others. My own titles are doing well and I do what I love for a living.

This is usually a good time for reflection. However, I think what has helped the most is that my life was such that I learned to treat every day like it mattered. I learned a whole new appreciation for what most people think of as the mundane.

One of the more exciting bits to share is how the aforementioned audiobook auditions are going. I have a pair of great voices for Dakota and for Ava. Still not happy with anything I have heard when it comes to Zomblog. I know that I will "know it when I hear it." Sam has to have a very particular sound to him.

I've had a few haters pop up, but it seems to gather less steam each time the villagers come out with their pitchforks and torches. I have been amazed and overwhelmed by the support from some incredible individuals. No need to name them all...they know who they are.

And then there is my workout routine. I really slacked over the past year. It is great to be back at it...but wow...my numbers have been chopped. My normal bench was sets at 225# and now, well, I did good at 135# last week when I went in and did baseline sets. We will see how long it takes to get myself back up to the old numbers. And at the same time, I have to try and get my BODY weight DOWN! Tipping the scales at 260 pounds is not something I am comfortable or happy about. (But some of that food was sure good along the way!)

In two days (Saturday the 15th), I will be stepping out into the wild for another book signing at Voodoo Doughnut Too at noon and then picking up my daughter at the airport at 6PM. A day in the life...