When I took on the challenge to write 50,000 words in 30 days, I had no idea I’d have to fight through fatigue, stress, and tons of pop-ups. I discovered something though–writing relaxes and invigorates me at the same time. I accomplished more than just achieving the word count. I finished first drafts of a screenplay and a short story with two other short stories a few scenes shy of becoming completed first drafts themselves. Some of these are projects I never thought I’d start much less finish in 2020. I celebrate everyone who jumped in and created something more than what they had before. Congrats to all the NaNoWriMo Winners.
After months of preparation and posting teasers on the internet, Danny R.O.S.S. has forged a path toward readers who enjoy SciFi action. I wrote the first draft of this story during my first NanoWriMo in 2011 and was excited to release this novel on the first day of my second NanoWriMo, 1 Nov 2020. Both Kindle and Print formats are available on Amazon. Please leave reviews wherever you purchase this YA SciFi Adventure novel.
I am excited to present If It Kills Me via Amazon in both Kindle and Print formats. This book has received an initial glowing review, and I hope many other readers will leave reviews as well. The journey to finishing this story has been arduous, but it’s amazing what a lot of perseverance can accomplish. I smile every time I think about Jae’s plight in the story to press on through the next obstacle. This year has seen its basketful of obstacles, for sure. However, I’m so glad I didn’t give up on releasing If It Kills Me on September 21, 2020, the last day of summer. Enjoy reading and re-reading this New Adult Romantic Comedy during the fall and winter months ahead.
A blast during a covert operation destroyed a Navy SEAL’s eyes and killed his best friend. He woke up six months later in darkness, his eyes wrapped. His only contact with the world a soft voice. When the wraps were removed, the world took on a different hue. His ruined eyes had been replaced with mechanical eyes. His new mission: Defend the defenseless on the home front with a young female prodigy scientist as his only lifeline during dangerous missions.
A Young Adult Sci Fi Adventure novel by Cassandra Ulrich COMING SOON on Amazon
In times like these, focusing on the vivid colors around us can be challenging, the last thing on our minds. However, we must, I think, or the creativity in us will shrivel up, and we’d lack the stamina to continue taking care of ourselves and the ones we love. When I walk my dog, I focus on the scattering of squirrels claws on the tree bark and the fluttering of butterflies’ wings. I smile up at the squirrel lounging on a tree limb and the white, fluffy clouds floating across the sky-blue canopy. Look at these flowers and imagine the scent wafting off them. Inhale the sweetness and exhale the toxicity of stress holding us hostage. Create (write, sing, draw, perform) and share with others. We need that right now.
Yeah, I’m lying here on the sidewalk spilling my guts all over. I risked my life to defend the woman I love. Funny thing, I never told her I loved her. I never even kissed her…not even once. Now, I’ll never get my chance because I’m bleeding out. Darn it. I hear her voice…so far away now. Everything’s going dark. Jess…I… Gammy?
Jaeson Rhodes works at the local coffee shop where he meets Jessica Stewart. His strong attraction for her beckons him to take the leap, but it’s too soon after his recent heartache. His roommate, Rick, informs him that his new girlfriend requires them to have a chaperone to watch a movie at his apartment. Jaeson breaks out his little black book for a date, no luck. He opens the door on the night of the date to find the woman of his dreams standing right in front of him. She was Rick’s new woman. Jae’s shocked to find Rick keeps coming up with excuses to cancel dates with Jessica and asks him to help out. How hard can it be to just be friends with the woman who has his heart? He has to…even if it kills him.
Jessica Stewart is a woman who knows what she wants out of life. A career sewing her own clothing line and real honest to God love. She doesn’t believe in sleeping around. She wants to wait until she’s married before going all the way. She meets Jaeson Rhodes at the coffee shop she goes to almost every day. Deep down she wishes he would give her a sign to show he’s interested. His hands tremble when she’s close often spilling her drink all over his clothing and she wonders why. Is he that much of a klutz or is there more to it than that? She meets bad boy Rick at a gallery, and they get together instead. Her rules for her first date with Rick: Not being alone with him in his apartment.
Will she stay with roguish Rick or will she see how much Jaeson really loves her before he loses her forever?
A New Adult Romantic Comedy novel by Cassandra Ulrich COMING SOON on Amazon
Any writer who has submitted work to a publisher or contest undoubtedly deals with rejection at some point. It may come via a form letter or an email. The ones where there’s a message of encouragement softens the blow just a bit. Other times, the realization hits you when the announcement date has passed and there’s nothing in the inbox.
I received such an email on July 28, 2020. My response? A sigh. I’d hoped this one would make it.
The key is to not wallow in self-pity for too long. I gave that emotion all of five seconds, huffed out a breath, then kept working. Rejection doesn’t necessarily mean my work wasn’t any good. It could mean it wasn’t a good match or the individual liked something better. In the meantime, I’ll take more writing classes and ask others to critique my stories. That’s how I’ll grow as a writer.
Will I submit to other contests? Absolutely! There’s a certain thrill in trying. It means I finished yet another piece of work that has a chance of being accepted.
I am pleased to announce that the long-awaited print version for Love’s Intensity will be available for purchase on July 11th via Amazon. What a long haul this has been! There have been many requests for this format, and I look forward to autographing lots of copies for my readers. I appreciate everyone who will be leaving reviews for that story.
Upon its release, I will be turning my attention to the prequel and sequel of this YA paranormal romance. I hope to introduce to you the early days when Nina first met Bradford and continue the drama involving their children, Kressa and Brad.
We are all currently living through a worldwide pandemic, the cause of all sorts of emotions. Sadness. Loneliness. Devastation. Grief. Contentment. Happiness. It’s often said that writers write what they know. Following this period in our lives, we writers will have much fodder to scribble about. But, how do we snatch the intensity of those feelings and express them in all their rawness?
Some folks journal. I don’t. Instead, I write scenes that relate to what I’m experiencing at the time, though not necessarily the exact same event. Many of my readers have said that the characters’ emotions spill off the page and affect them at a deep level. I think it’s because I’m at the height of those emotions when I write about them.
I wonder what my writing will be like in the near future.
I am pleased to announce that the long-awaited print version for Love’s Intensity will be available for purchase on July 11th via Amazon. What a long haul this has been! There have been many requests for this format, and I look forward to autographing lots of copies for my readers. I appreciate everyone who will be leaving reviews for that story.