A lot can change in a month.
In my case, a lot of progress has been made behind the scenes; not all of it is visible to my readers because I’ve become even more careful about sharing, unless, it’s on my terms.
The books, and all the work involved in bringing them to fruition, are coming along and looking beautiful. I’ve gotten new covers, new graphic artwork, both for the trilogy but also for the boxed sets coming out in conjunction with the fantasy trilogy.
Series: Tangere Tales Trilogy
A tough year…
The last twelve months have been varying degrees of heaven and hell but I honestly think it’s all worked together to help me create what could be my best work this year.
I made the mistake of posting a warm, relevant, and encouraging meme on Facebook last month. You’d think I’d know better after seven years, but no good deed goes unpunished by the perpetually offended. I stay away from politics and try to stick to encouraging readers when I’m not actively sharing about books coming out. I subscribe to the belief that entertainers, of any kind, owe any following and success they have to the people they entertain. Having amassed that following doesn’t give them to right to step on their fan’s toes by getting political. A true artist knows that the best way to express themselves is through their art and not through an unwilling audience. It destroys the escape and disillusions our audience about who we are.
Maybe I’m being hypercritical,
but I agree with the moviegoer who said (paraphrasing), “When you’re not entertaining me, I want you to go back in your box and shut up. I’m not interested in your political views.” Harsh? Maybe, but I agree. I’ve got a 50/50 chance of offending someone if I start sharing my political views. Having worked (literally) as hard as I can to create a world where readers can escape reality, why would I shoot myself in the foot just to vent a little steam? Professionals should know better.
Long story short, that meme I intended for comfort and encouragement got hijacked by people who, up until that moment, I’d truly respected, one of whom was a personal hero of mine. I was unfriended because I refused to sign on to an (at the time) politically correct ideology. I wound up taking down the graphic and walking away from the whole conversation, reminding myself I’m here to write love stories, not argue with trolls. And time showed that I was correct in that earlier choice.
On the home front…
While all this was going on, we were selling our home and packing up and moving. Sometimes dreams, even good ones, are temporary things. Mr. R and I are building a new dream after coming to the conclusion that we’d bitten off more than we could chew with 25 acres that needed constant care, repair, and maintenance.
Yes, I mourned leaving my house, my quiet privacy, my bees, my built-in book cases, my whole house wired for sound, and my enormous closet. And that huge shower with enough elbow room for five people, much less two.
We’re downsizing but Mr R knows better than to think that means tiny-sizing. He’s a generous man. We’ve moved into a leased home that has a similar amount of square footage. It’s an older, rambling ranch-style home located in the midst of a huge cattle ranch. The dogs love the yard, and I love the hundreds of acres of majestic oak trees. The interior is rustic and quaint, and I still have a separate office space, so I’m happy. I’m better than happy, actually. I’m relaxed. Relaxed means I’m open to possibilities, and renewed creativity.
I don’t want to even think about moving again right now, but Mr R is already sketching new house plans. It’s what he does, and one of the things I love about him. I hope y’all will stay along with me for the ride like you did with the last one.
One last note about the new place~
We have an unusual neighbor. A badger lives beneath a shed near one of the ranch barns, right near our house. I don’t want to meet him. At all. Oh, and there are calves! They’re so cute gamboling around their mamas between naps and grazing.
Somehow I managed to get books submitted, the house packed up and moved in August and then unpacked in September.
I’m fricking Wonder Woman…with really really sore feet. 😀
Besides writing this post, I spent today updating the website with book covers and cool graphics for the Tangere Tales Trilogy and the two new boxed sets (Volumes 2 and 3). I hope you’ll take a few minutes to look around and let me know what you think of the new appearance. Make sure to check out the trilogy book pages for extra goodies like this one..
Some dates for you to mark on your calendars before I sign off…
10/10 ~ release date Boxed Set Volume 2
10/20 ~ release date for Beasts In Winter, Tangere Tales 1
10/31 ~ release date Boxed Set Volume 3
11/10 ~ release date for Midnight of the Fae, Tangere Tales 2
12/1 ~ release date for Dance of the Dragon Sorceress, Tangere Tales 3
~Seize the day, baby!
Love, Heather
Ms. Heather, I admire your ethics and the way you conduct your social media presence. You just keep on writing and I’ll keep reading. I don’t often comment, I’m more of a silent spectator, but just thought you should know that I enjoy your books greatly and look forward to the next ones!
Thanks, Rhonda! I’m kind of the same way online. Sometimes I lurk because I don’t have anything to add that hasn’t already been said. I just try to be entertaining when the urge strikes. I’m glad you’re still enjoying my writing. I can’t wait to share the next books with you. <3 Heather
Heather, I hope you kept the bees! I enjoyed the story of the trio that included Beck the beekeeper. I am also one.
Hi Valerie! We were leasing our property to a beekeeper who has hives all over the area. The payment for the lease was an agreed upon amount of each year’s honey harvest, but we planned on just buying the whole harvest. It was a sound arrangement since he did all the work. The new (and totally awesome) owners of the property have elected to allow the bee colonies stay. We’re leasing a property that is a little too small to have any hives but when we build the next place we’ll be hosting more hives for our beekeeper. Thanks for asking, and happy honey harvesting! <3
Heather you are amazing. I am sorry that happened but glad you decided to move away from the negativity. It truly shocks me how people are. I love your books and am so looking forward to the new series! Thank you for deciding to follow your dreams!
Jessica, I should be thanking you. You’ve been there encouraging me since shortly after my first book came out. I really appreciate you. <3
Heather,
I think you’re a warm, lovely person, not just my favorite author. I admire you enormously and can’t imagine the “interesting” people you encounter as a result of being in the public eye. You handle everything life throws at you with grace and class. Thank you for putting yourself in the line of fire for all of us who appreciate you!
Thank you, Flo. I actually kind of count myself lucky that those situations don’t happen more often. And having friends who respect personal boundaries and space, like you and the divas makes the rest of the “stuff” worth it.
Heather,
I love your books and your stance that ” I subscribe to the belief that entertainers, of any kind, owe any following and success they have to the people they entertain. Having amassed that following doesn’t give them to right to step on their fan’s toes by getting political” . I am like Rhonda, more of a silent spectator. I try to keep my comments positive. I am shocked how some people act on social media, there is always someone who has to be negative about any situation. I am truly sorry that you had to experience that. I am so glade yall found a home that would work for yall. I love your Books and your upbeat attitude. Can not wait till the next book comes out.
Keep writing and I will keep reading. As a fellow Texan I can relate to moving in August. I moved my Mom from one place to another in McAllen, TX in 115 degree heat. I am not used to that as I live in Northwest Colorado where it snows in September. I was glad to return home.
Hi Lirva, and thank you. I think the heat was the biggest hurdle for me, besides the sheer enormity of packing the house and then unpacking days later. I don’t do well in the heat at all, and can’t stay in the sun long without feeling sick, so I’m grateful the guys and all our helpers with strong backs did most of the in and out work. I can’t imagine how hard it must’ve been for you, though, coming from a cooler and possibly dryer climate all the way down to the Rio Grande Valley. It’s what we do for family but I’d be glad to go home too.