atthequillsmercy

WIP Wednesday: In where I complain but I’m grateful

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It’s been a wild couple of weeks, especially going back and forth with the contractor about the basement Apparently “I’ll call you with a time” really meant “You tell call me when you’re available.” Silly me. Can’t believe I thought words mean what they mean. I’m also in limbo with the dentist. And my check engine light keeps going on and it’s adorable that it thinks I’m going to do anything about it unless that fucking car is on fire.

But I am so grateful for all the people who took a chance on my work during the Smashwords sale. It ends July 31st. Man this month flew by… I also got my Patreon updated and I’m on track to have more next month. I’m sticking with monthly for now. Here’s the word counts:

  • A: 20,023 words; 2 chapters ready for Patreon
  • B: 736 words; 3 smut stories in editing process for release next month
  • C: 19,121 words; 3 chapters ready for Patreon

I don’t have any patrons yet but I don’t care. I want things ready if I get some. I also worked my way through a nice pile of ARCs that I’ll be posting reviews for and I’m working on my overloaded eReaders and pile of library books. I’ve finished a decent pile of manga that I’ll probably sell since they’re too smutty for the library. I do the adult collection but not ADULT adult if that makes any sense. I’m not sure if I want to post them to my blog, on my separate shop site, or toss them on eBay. I’m not looking to make a profit, I’m looking to get them out of my house and in the hands of someone who will enjoy them.

I guess that’s it for this week? I can’t think of anything else. I’ll probably think of 10 more things as I go to sleep tonight.

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atthequillsmercy

Workout Dump: Weekend Warrior

Since I’m trying to get these side gigs to make enough money to dig me out of the hole I’m in, I’ve been sticking to shorter workouts during the week and longer ones on the weekends. I’m also back to the desk peddler. It was amazing to make it through that long run even if I had to powerwalk for the last interval. It reminds me that I can physically do these workouts; it’s just hard to find the time.

I’ve been leaving out the ramen noodles from my daily lunches. And it’s really easy to batch cook rice and portion it out for meals for the rest of the week. I did get takeout once, but it lasted me 3 meals. Not bad considering how much it is to order out these days. Most of the time, I’ve been making do with whatever is in the house, which explains meals that are simply rice and a protein. I don’t mind it much. It makes things easy when I’m exhausted and don’t want to cook when I get home. I can tell this is making some good changes. I’m not as hungry, things are timed well around what I need to do every day, and I use fewer dishes! Wins all around.

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WIP Wednesday: Editing!

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I’m up to three finished rough drafts, as well as parts to edit to post on Patreon. That means no real word counts of note to post. The good news is (is not having word counts ” bad news?) that I am aiming to post again on my Patreon this month. I am still tweaking my page. I’d like a better description and more art, but that’s not the most important part. The most important part is getting more books out.

Also, I’d like to thank everyone once again who has purchased my work during the Smashwords Sale. I really hope you enjoy them!

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Workout Dump: Stuck but still trying!

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I am doing my best to not only continue going on the treadmill in this heat, but incorporating more strength training aside for my morning and evening 60 squats. Parts of me that I’m not used to are sore but I welcome it. I did have to redo a workout since the heat was so bad, I missed an interval but today, I made it!

I’m also trying out more types of meals so I’m not eating the same thing every day. I honestly don’t mind my usual Itaki meals. This way, I can get different nutrients and eat a wider variety of vegetables. Garlic scapes came back so of course I made chimichurri again. And when I made a sandwich with that bagel, I was too lazy to put away whatever tomato didn’t fit on it and just ate the whole thing. I doubt its such a bad thing to eat more vegetables. I’m also on a baby broccoli/broccolini trend right now. Just, again, to switch things up a bit. I’m still stuck around 206 and that will probably go up a little while I build muscle. I can tell by body is changing because I wore a crop top in public and nobody’s eyes starting melting out of their heads from the horror. Things are looking up!

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atthequillsmercy

WIP Wednesday: I already know its coming…

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I have been pushing myself very hard; skipping workouts, sleeping less, and cramming in any tiny bit of writing or editing I can get. I already know I’m gonna hit a wall and burn out. Bring it on. I’ll take it if that means I don’t have any more panic attacks when I get a bill.

  • First Brood 4: 19,914
  • Smut: 56 (one draft completed last week and in the editing process)
  • Dewey: 17, 967

It’s about 8pm now and I’ll be writing for a couple more hours so those numbers aren’t final for the day. I wasn’t kidding when I said I was willing to burn and I’ll take the heat. I gotta get things done and have no one to rely on but me. It’ll be rough, but it will be worth it.

And a HUGE thank you to everyone who’s picked up my books from Smashwords during the sale. It goes till July 31st giving anyone else who would like one some time.

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WIP Wednesday: Lots of Updates!

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If you’re subscribed to my blog, you’ve probably noticed I’ve been fairly regularly posting reviews. That’s gonna continue. I have a lot to get through.

Next up is my Patreon! I’ve been editing a lot, and the next part is up! It’s on the paid tier, but the first chapters of all my WIPs that I’m working on will always be free. The first part of “Dewey” is here.

Smashwords has started their July sale! All my books are discounted or even free on that site! You can check them out here.

Now, time for the wordcounts:

  • First Brood 4: 19,914
  • Smut short story: 570 (published 2 stories last month)
  • Dewey: 17,316

I am doing my best to try to get out some good content. I need to treat it like a job if I’m going to make money from it like a job. It’s not going to be easy, I am going to be very tired, but I have debt and a kid to put through college. I gotta do what I gotta do.

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Workout Dump: I feel good! Mostly…

Even though I’ve had to scale back a little on some days to walking because I’m sore from the running days, I still feel amazing. I’m working out more often than not, my pace is decent, and my endurance is getting better every day! Even with the heat, I’m noticing a difference. The scale hasn’t moved, but my clothes are getting loose. I still need to take more time to do strength training, but I still do 60 squats every morning and night while I’m brushing my teeth.

I am trying to eat smaller portions when it’s not a meal of mostly vegetables. I’m certain I’m getting enough nutrients since almost all of my fingernails have grown back properly. I do need to worry about my blood pressure. I don’t think it’s the salt I’m eating, since I’ve been lowering that in most meals. Stress is a factor, I’m certain of it. That’s partly why I’m working on more frequent workouts, lowering my salt even more, and solving the source of 90% of my stress: my finances. I’m budgeting wherever I can for now and looking into some gig or part-time work. I know I’ll feel better once I pay down some debt.

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Whelp, it was a good run but…

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Due to facing more and more financial pressure. I had to put a chunk of my books back on Amazon. I’d taken them down because they suck, but I legit cannot afford to have any sales channel blocked to me. You can see them all here. If you see any missing, they’ll be up eventually. I can understand if others don’t want to support them, and in that case, all my books are on Apple, Kobo, B&N, and my own store here on the blog.

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Today’s Workout: I made it through.

Today in Just Run, there was only one interval: 20 minutes. I honestly didn’t think I could make it. The last time I was accustomed to 20 minute intervals was during COVID when I was home all day and could work on the treadmill and do 45 minute workouts. I thought I would have to take a break halfway through, but I made it! It was tough for a second there but no break! I’m tired but that’s a general type of tired.

I didn’t have steak and eggs today. I had that over the weekend but I’m massively proud of how it turned out. I had to change up how I make my salads since I literally can no longer afford to buy romaine lettuce. I was able to get some arugula on sale and tuna was 10 for $1 each. I skipped the olive oil since there was vegetable oil in the tuna already. Everything is so expensive, I’m cutting things wherever I can. I guess not being able to afford much food will help me lose weight.

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Lenni Reviews: “Lynx” Vol. 1, by Samuel Sattin & Tokitokoro

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

After a climate disaster known as The Regression, humanity is stuck in a perpetual winter. Detective Lynx Takuma and her enhanced cat partner Skua, have investigating a series of deaths where strange feathers were found at the scene.

While this throws a lot of lore and abilities and backstories at you, it feels a bit flat. I think it’s because a lot of the backgrounds are solid whites. But it is a winter dystopia so I can’t judge it too hard for that. I do love a hard boiled lesbian detective with cool powers and a weird mystery brewing in a complicated world. I think it’s pretty cool so far! 3.5 out of 5.

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