Happy Preptober Eve!
YET as readers might know it: that time of year where writers get crackin'!
To readers and writers alike on my newsletter—
Happy Preptober Eve!
This is indeed a time of year where writers and readers alike can enjoy the creation, edits, and re-creation of new works to be on the market in the following hear. Preptober helps so many creative minds to prepare during October (hence the name) for National Novel Writing Month—otherwise known as NaNoWriMo.
Writers of all skill levels, ages, and abilities use this month for whatever their goal says they want to do. For most of us, November means writing completely new content. In the past, I worked on new series during NaNoWriMo. After all, 2021 and 2022 brought VITAELANGICA and Regolith’s Relics into being on the greater extensions of The Merna Annals’ timeline. (Click here to view and hear my plot wall videos and other motivational writierly coach things I've been creating for your Preptober readiness over on YouTube!)
This year, I’ll be adding a second book to VITAELGANGICA after not writing it for nearly two years. I’ve been spending as much time as possible working my way through Book 1: The Crusaders of Lukzander Shoals.
I am kind of nervous about writing a second book in this series mostly because I do not know it nearly as well as the core seasons of the greater timeline—yet.
When Nephtyri says in The Merna Annals, Book 1: Bound by Fate and Blood, “Those words have power,” she wasn’t kidding. Well, she was talking about how much Ian flirted with Fate by flirting with her. I honestly think the key word she was thinking about in that moment happened to be tiny, three-letter, little, seemingly unimportant, conjunction playing YET.
Remember what good, ole School House Rock used to say about those guys? I included the video below, in case you need to have a listen—yes, I know I just struck your inner Batty Koda from Ferngully. You’re welcome.
Conjunctions, well, connect things together. Yet doesn’t do as much of the work—or does it? It doesn’t get CHOSEN that often. That’s the difference. We’re more likely to say…
But I don’t have time… But I don’t think this is worth it because… But I don’t value this because…
And I can’t take the time from… And I don’t think the money will… And I don’t know how to pay the…
Or I don’t understand how to do… Or I missed that one thing… Or I am always going to…
The negativity. Oh my. In the words of Sailor Mars, dark energy, be gone, indeed!
YET on the other hand… seems to change all of those negatives into positives…
Yet I can make time by… Yet I see worth because… Yet I value this because…
Yet, yet, yet, yet, yet, yet!
What kind of mindset are you conjunction-ing in your life lately? Yet is there a way for you to take a tiny step RIGHT MEOW—I mean now, into changing that? I believe you’re able, yet I invite you to have the courage to find one small tiny step that becomes a bigger leap than you might have intended.
You’ve got this. I do believe in what you can rock out this time of year. Therefore, please join me over on Mel Power’s channel alongside Jodee Jean Daniels as we bring in Preptober together—yet with tons of fun, laughs, and some freebies from the three of us that will compliment an epic awesome thing Sarra Cannon hinted at putting out later that day. (Click here for the link to Mel’s channel in order to join us!)
Speaking of October 1, 2023, I’ll be dropping the monthly life update vlog, to include details on The Merna Annals’ going Wide or not and so much more.
Thank you for supporting throughout this time! Please check out the free readings of Book 1: Bound by Fate and Blood over on my YouTube channel link above or click here to see more about The Merna Annals and VITAELANGICA on Ream Stories.
Please take care of yourself, stop believing the lies other people tell you. I know you’re worth it.
Your Soul Writer,
Jenna O’Malley
AMAZING AUTHOR SHOUT OUTS
Matched to the Alien Prince: A Case Study from the Best Life Interstellar Matchmaking Agency
by Danielle Forrest
Can he help her heal, or will he break her trust for good?
For Justine, leaving her abusive ex was the hardest thing she's ever done in her life. It meant leaving with nothing but the clothes on her back, but it was worth it. She could have a fresh start and maybe even rediscover the woman she'd been before she met him.
Then, like some horror movie villain, he chases her down, robbing her of that sanctuary she'd just found and leaving her struggling for sanity once more.
In a moment driven by panic, she realizes she'll never be safe anywhere he can reach her. Her only option? Leave Earth.
But after the panic recedes, and she's on her way to a new world and her new "perfect" alien match, she can't help fearing she's made a grave mistake. It's only when she meets Zayvan that she finally starts laying those fears to rest. He's sweet and kind and considerate, and she's actually starting to think that this can work after all.
That is, until the day men rush into their cabin in full tactical gear, shattering their happiness and causing her to question if she even knows Zayvan at all…
Matched to the Alien Prince is Book 1 in the Matched to the Alien series, which pairs humans and aliens using an interstellar matchmaking agency. It can be read as a standalone. This Slow Burn Alien Romance features a human woman escaping an abusive relationship, an alien prince trying to escape a family history of marriages in name only, and a kidnapping plot that could ruin their chances of happiness forever.