Well – it’s Monday again. Seems like it just was, but that could be due to most days blurring together. I’m still trying to knock some jobs off the to-do list around the house. I even washed blinds last week – I’m embarrassed to tell you how long it’s been since they were last cleaned. Let’s just say there were mini funnel clouds and a lot of sneezing going on.
I finally opened the file of the sequel to Subject A36. I hadn’t looked at it since NaNo in November, at first due to promoting the new release, then mostly because I haven’t felt like writing with everything going on in the world. But it was time. After setting aside a couple of hours yesterday to dive back in, I was excited. I still need to go over notes, pull everything together, and make my roadmap (my loose version of an outline). There’s a lot of work to do – guess it’s a good thing I’ve got some extra time, right?
I’m a Lego fan. After giving my six-year-old niece a Disney Princess set for her birthday last 
summer then helping her put it together, she declared me a Lego Master. It all started with my youngest son’s love of them. We spent hours building things together, including Hogwarts castle, which was thousands of pieces. While building, my mind was focused completely on the project, and it gave the rest of my brain a break. Months ago, a couple of friends and I had planned a Lego and wine night. For whatever reason, we never got it on the calendar, but I still had my kit – Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire. Several days ago, I took it out, turned on my audiobook, and spent a very happy couple of hours snapping pieces together and applying decals. How do you like it? Sorry the pic’s not better. Hubby got me a Star Wars collection for Christmas, so that’s on the agenda for this week.
Take care and stay healthy!
Books and Such 
I loved Legos when I was a kid, Teri. Enjoy the process with your NaNo. It’s always fun to revisit those stories that get tucked away. Ugh…you reminded me that our blinds need a good cleaning. Any hints on the least time consuming way?
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I grabbed a pair of my son’s old soccer socks (they’re thicker), soaked the feet part in water and detergent, then slid them over my hands like gloves. You can clean both sides of the individual slats at the same time and it goes faster – especially when you’re listening to an audiobook. Good luck, Jill!
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Excellent! Thanks for the tip, Teri. 🙂
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Doesn’t it feel good to get back to writing?
I also use a roadmap when writing my novels. Since I usually write the last chapter first, then write a first chapter than contrats to the ending, I have a good idea where I want to the novel to go (including the character’s arch and change).
Have a great week.
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It really did, Drew. I missed those characters, and they’ve been nudging me for weeks. I also tend to write out of order then fill in the blanks. It seems to work for me. Take care!
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Take care.
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Yay for starting on your sequel! It’s totally okay to take a break from writing if you need it, so long as you get back to it eventually.
Oh my gosh, legos were my thing back when I was a kid. The kits are great, but I think I most enjoyed building my own buildings and airships. Great for creativity. Enjoy!
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My son would build from the kit first, them break it down and build his own creations, Jonny – and he had some good ones.
Your right about taking breaks – sometimes they’re really needed.
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Nice! That’s so awesome. You can really build anything out of Legos. The sky’s the limit.
Can’t agree with you more. I’ve been working on this sequel for a year now with little down time. Definitely taking a week or two off once I’m done.
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I’m glad you’ve gotten back to your WIP. Legos are among the greatest toys ever invented. (Slinkies and Bigwheels are cool, too).
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Legos are awesome – until you step on a stray one hidden in the carpet, lol. I’m glad to be back with the characters, Priscilla. And I always wanted a Big Wheel.
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Sounds like you aren’t letting the state of the world get you down. You’re making the best of things, and I find it inspirational.
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Thanks, Craig! I’m trying my best.
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It’s a marvelous Monday with you Teri. I got a kick out of the Legos.
😉 Hugs on the wing!
I’ve finally gotten back to working on my NaNoWriMo novel too. Although I’ve been fine-tuning… not adding much new content (unfortunately).
Washing the blinds!? Now that is the most frightening horror story yet.
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Those blinds look like they’re straight out of a horror story, Teagan – hanging in a house that hasn’t been touched in years, lol.
Happy to hear you’ve gotten back to your WIP also. I’m not nearly as far along as you – just the basic building blocks so far. Hugs!
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I’m probably less than half finished with the draft…
Oh, and I meant my own blinds. Forget interplanetary space travel… give me tech that will collect dust at the push of a button. LOL
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Have you ever been to Legoland? I guess it’s a thing! 🙂 I’ve never gone down the Lego path myself. I still thought they were those rectangle colored blocks – and that’s it! Now they have their own world! LOL.
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I haven’t, Sue – but I sure wouldn’t mind going. It’s fascinating what folks can build from Legos.
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I think it took most of us a month to get our head wrapped around what is happening in real life before we could get back to our WIP. At least that is how it was for me. Anything like lego, jigsaw puzzles or even knitting are good things to do while we wait this out. Not so sure about cleaning blinds though. But now that you mentioned it…..Glad you got your writing grove back!
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I think you’re right, Darlene – we were all in a state of shock there for a while. I hate anything having to do with dusting with a passion, but I’m trying to make myself get through these blinds – one room per day if possible. Four more rooms to go. *heavy sigh*
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Its great to see you relaxing and making good use of your time, Teri. Building lego, like puzzles and baking, is good for the soul. My Michael has pulled out all his old lego and has been building up a storm.
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I agree, Robbie – any activities like that are good for the soul and mental health. I’m trying to keep myself occupied – it’s better than being glued to the news. You should post some of Michael’s creations!
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He helps with all my baking and videos on Robbie’s Inspiration.
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I think the Lego idea is a good one for relaxation. I enjoyed the photo. That dragon looks cool. Glad you feel like writing again.
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I though my dragon looked pretty awesome, too, John. I’ll post a pic of the Star Wars kit when I’m finished.
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Yes do.
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Teri I see that your “therapy” is creating and building something, just like me and my funko pops! Have fun!!
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I hadn’t thought about that, but you’re right – and your Funko pops are awesome, Sophie!
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Hey congrats on getting back to the WIP 🙂
Oh boy, did I love lego when I was a kid. Don’t let it distract you from writing though 🙂
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Thanks, Jessica! I know you’ve been struggling with writing yourself. I never played with Legos as a kid, but I guess I”m making up for it now, lol.
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I shouldn’t tell you this, but lego’s are the hottest trend where I work… at a retirement village 😉
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That’s so funny – but what a great idea!
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YAY! Glad you’re working on the book again! 🙂 I do understand though… It’s taken me until this past week to really start feeling like working on writing projects again myself. Anyway, I hope you can make use of all the extra time to get the book written, because I’m dying to read it. I might have mentioned that once or twice… 😉
I used to have a great Lego collection. But we were considering a move we never actually
ended up making, so I sold it to my brother. I regret that now, especially after how little he gave me for it, but mostly because we didn’t make that move after all, so I sold it for nothing.
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Yep – i seem to remember you maybe mentioning the sequel a time or two, Tori, lol. I promise I’m working on it!
That’s not fair about the Legos. Seems like there should be some kind of sibling rule you could invoke that overrides the sale. And Legos aren’t cheap, that’s for sure.
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I agree regarding the unfairness. I originally agreed to the sale – with reluctance – because it was the most I could get him to agree to, and it was cheaper than it would have been to ship my big box of Lego had we made the move. Now he basically says since I agreed – however reluctantly – it’s my problem. I could push, and maybe he’d give in, but I decided it’s not worth starting an argument over. I considered starting a new collection, but haven’t ended up doing so.
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I do jigsaw puzzles for a lot of the same reasons. Sometimes I’m super into them, and sometimes I leave them on the shelf, but I always seem to go back to them.
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I used to love puzzles (again, with kids), but haven’t done them in years. I’ll stick with Legos for now, then maybe give puzzles a shot.
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I don’t know where I’ve been but it feels good to find my fellow story tellers again… I understand the nudge to write, but the time, getting up earlier will have to happen! Maybe it’s time, maybe this time at home helps change some of my old necessities😃 AND lego, my grandson loves it, he’s so creative and I love playing with him in everything he gets up too❤️ love to you terri❤️
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Have fun playing Legos with your grandson – take care, Barbara!
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