What they may not know is how wise this 19th century author was.
Sprinkled throughout her novels were bits of wisdom that are as true today as they were then.
What she had to say about understanding the worth of time inspired today's Quote Graphic.
I placed the quotation against a backdrop of beautiful autumn leaves.
TAKEAWAY TRUTH
Have a lovely Sunday!
CHICKEN MUSHROOM SOUP
Ingredients
If Amazon sent the communication, you'll know in a short amount of time.
Remember, never engage with any suspicious message in any way before verifying it.
In the case of Amazon, a report to Amazon internal teams will automatically be submitted and your account will be monitored for suspicious activity.
Visit amazon.com/scams to learn more ways to verify messages, access resources for scam prevention, and understand Amazon's efforts to protect customers from fraudulent activities.
TAKEAWAY TRUTH
It's better to be cautious and slow than speedy and impulsive.
The autumnal equinox flitted past a couple of weeks ago and made no difference in the ambient temperature. To me, it's difficult to enjoy the autumnal effects when it's 95-100 degrees outside.
AUTUMN BENEFITS
In case we don't get those lovely Fall effects until late November, allow me to rhapsodize over them here.
Happy Wednesday, or, if you preffer, Happy Hump Day!
Since I tend to pontificate on Wednesdays about whatever I'm thinking about, here goes today's subject. I'm thinking about the changes in books from traditional publishing to today's indie self-publishing.
Since the advent of ebooks, most authors I know now publish their books themselves rather than trying to place them with traditional publishers. There are many reasons for this, but I'm going to discuss one aspect of indie self-publishing: story concept.
STORY CONCEPT CHANGES
Back when I published my first novel with a New York publisher, romance novels were peopled by the young and beautiful. Many of them still are, but back in those days, the heroine was requried to be young. The hero could be older and more mature—you know, the cliche of the seasoned lover.
Is there anything farther from reality than a 23-year-old female CEO? I didn't know any back then, and I don't know any in today's world.
No one author ever got a book with a 40-year-old heroine or a heroine who'd survived cancer or any of the other life challenges so many women face. Heaven forbid if an author tried to show senior citizens with active sex lives.
Writers were constrained by ridiculous guidelines. Is it any wonder so many authors happily deserted traditional publishers and embraced indie authorship?
Even today, some young readers turn their nose up at middle-aged characters having a rich and fulfilling sex life. I rememeber when I published Old Enough to Know Better, an age-gap romance, one of the reviews was from a young woman who thought it was gross that a 40-year-old man would want to have sex with a 50-year-old woman.
Even authors who are old enough to be grandparents still write about Love, Sex, and Romance. I think it's because everyone—readers and writers—have a self-image embedded in the brain that doesn’t age. We are all forever locked into that age.
I mean, when you dream, are you ever a child again or are you a white-haired senior citizen. Chances are neither of those pictures are true.
TODAY'S STORY CONCEPT—REALITY BASED
Self-published authors can write about any kind of character they want because there are readers out there who want that. Authors are not limited by age, ethnicity, gender, or anything else.
We can write about young or old main characters, about people who survived devastating situations and found love, about fantasy and reality, about introverts, extroverts, normal people, weirdos, and everyone in between.
Characters and plot elements today are based on reality and reflect Life. If you are older than 30—40, 50, 60, or beyond—don’t despair. The road of life is long and offers love and romance—and, yes, sex too—every step of the way. You can fall in love, and you can read about women and men your age falling in love.
In this new age of publishing, authors aren’t restricted by arbitrary guidelines so there are books out there that you will love.
When you find one you like, be sure and leave a review. That's the best way to thank an author.
Unlike Reacher, based on a series of books by Lee Child, Neagley is based upon Frances Neagley, a character in the Reacher books who was a member of the Special Investigations Unit headed by Reacher.
The Neagley character, portrayed by Maria Sten in the first season of Reacher, proved so popular that she popped up in the other seasons as well.
By Reacher Season 2, the powers that be new magic when they saw it and decided to create a series built around the Neagley character, and Season 1 of this new action series debuted September 16.
If you've seen this new Prime series already, you know it's a sure-fire hit. If you haven't watched it yet, you're in for a binge-worthy series that will make you click Next Episode until the entire series is over.
ABOUT NEAGLEY
Frances Neagley is a private investigator based in Chicago, Illinois. When her childhood best friend dies in a suspicious accident, she vows to discover the truth behind what seems to her like murder.
Her investigation leads her to Echo Canyon Farm, a supposedly peaceful cult-like commune. Beneath that facade is a horrifying black-market operation run by Lawrence Cole, the leader, and Invection Pharmaceuticals CEO Pierce Woodrow.
Alan Ritchson, of course, bookends his cameo appearance.
Created by Nick Santora and Nicholas Wootton for Amazon Prime Video, the spin-off series also stars Greyston Holt as Chicago PD Detective Hudson Riley, Adeline Rudolph as Renee Birdwhistle, an administrative assistant who works at Neagley's agency; Jasper Jones as Keno, a low-level criminal and recovering drug addict; Matthew Del Negro as Pierce Woodrow, CEO of Invection Pharmaceuticals; and Damon Herriman as Lawrence Cole, the leader of the Echo Canyon Farm family.
MY 2¢
Darling Hubby and I enjoyed the series immensely. In fact, we both liked Season 1 of Neagley much more than the most recent Reacher season which we found too grim and without Reacher's likable personality as seen in previous seasons.
TAKEAWAY TRUTH
Definitely put Neagley on your Watchlist. You'll be glad you did.
Let's start with a Screenshot Utility that you're going to love because it's so much better than the one that comes with Windows which most of you use.
This lightweight screenshot software is free and offers a bunch of advantages over the basic version in Windows.
TAKEAWAY TRUTH
To learn more and see this app in action click Greenshot to visit the website which is also the download page if you want to get the latest release.
What kind of ingredients? Something saved from a previous meal like ham which is a main ingredient and corn which may be leftover from a previous meal or straight out of a corn or a bag of frozen corn.
You can also add diced tomato, finely minced parsley, etc. Whatever you have on hand works great.
You can also use something previously prepped and stored like diced bell pepper and onion. When I need peppers and onion for a recipe, I always diced up more than needed and store the rest in a glass jar with a rubber seal in the fridge.
The veggies are optional so don't add them if you just want the ham and cheese flavor. Here is the recipe that you can alter given your time and ingredients. Makes 12 hearty muffins.
SAVORY BRUNCH MUFFINS
Directions
1. If not using cupcake papers, prepare a muffin tin using baking spray.
2. Preheat the oven to 425°F. ( 220°C.)
3. In a large bowl, combine the milk and mayo and blend well.
4. Blend in the flour and baking soda.
5. Add the ham and cheese and any veggies you're using.
6. Spoon into the muffin pan or papers and bake 16 to 18 minutes until the muffins are done when tested with a toothpick.
TAKEAWAY TRUTH
These are great for brunch or for a breakfast on the run.
Do you often find yourself exclaiming over the rudeness of others? I'll confess that I do. In a typical day when I find myself out and about, too often I run into someone who is so rude that it makes my jaw drop.
Since September is National Courtesy Month, let's talk about rudeness which seems to be a national problem.
MODERN TIMES—PRIMITIVE REACTIONS
How many times have you been in a public place and people are dropping F-bombs all over the place regardless of the presence of children?
Why can't they put their phones away and pay attention to the person with whom they're dining?
What about the people in cars who blow their horns and tailgate you or whip around in front of you and try to brake check you because they think you're driving too slow or because you did something in traffic they didn't like?
Whatever happened to patience and courtesy?
TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Instead of acting like the worst people on a TV reality show, learn how to be a reasonable polite member of society.
If you've got a short fuse, work on yourself and your emotions. Figure out why you seemingly have so much repressed anger. That will definitely improve your health and probably the relationships in your life.
Learn patience. Being impatient when driving can kill you and other people too. Put some calming music on when you drive. Ask yourself if the 10 seconds you might save by driving like a maniac is worth the danger you expose yourself and others to.Find a way to defuse the stress you feel in dealing with others. Count to ten. Smile—that may make the person dishing out rudeness to stop and think. Learn to practice restraint.
TAKEAWAY TRUTH
Try something different this month. Avoid reacting in negative ways. Be polite. You may find that politness defuses situations and can be met with politness from others.
Today, I offer Part 3 of 3, in which I regale you with more tales of my self-publishing adventure.
If you missed Part 1 of 3, Mistakes and Advice, click here to read it.
To read Part 2 of 3, Advice and Insights, just click here.
Today, I complete the series with Part 3 of 3, REWARDS—For Me and Maybe For You.
WHAT DIGITAL PUBLISHING DID FOR ME
Becoming a self-publishing indie author offered tremendous benefits. Before self-publishing, I was a category author which meant I had no power at all. A cut above me were midlist authors. They too had no power. Self-publishing meant I could chart my own course, and here's what happened.
I was no longer waiting and waiting and waiting for an agent or editor/editorial committee to rule on a submission. I could plan, write, and publish a book, and I was limited only by my own effort.
Writing what I wanted to write without regard to genre, plot, theme, or anything was freeing because I no longer had to wait and wonder if what I submitted was still wanted. Publishers could change guidelines while an author was busy writing the requested manuscript.
WHAT DIGITAL PUBLISHING CAN DO FOR YOU
1. Give you another avenue other than traditional publishing to find an audience. With a traditional publisher, you must have the right product to attract an editor and an agent. You don't have to limit yourself to one of the other.
3. Become financially stable by being a self-publisher. There are many self-publishers making a very comfortable living from their ebooks. Some self-publishers have their books being turned into Netflix series and movies.
4. Give you a platform where you make all the decisions. You get to choose the cover art, the blurb, the price, etc. As someon
5. Give you a real-world experience in writing and publishing—a superb training ground in what it takes to write, publish, and deal with every aspect with which authors must handle.
You'll learn all about the writing, the technical aspects of publishing, marketing, promoting, living with good and bad reviews, dealing with the reading public, and so many other things authors must do. It can prepare you for the long assault on traditional New York publishing if you decide to do that.
TAKEAWAY TRUTH
I wish you the same joy and rewards digital publishing has given me. Like I always say, "Nothing ventured; nothing gained."
TAKEAWAY TRUTH
History must be learned so that mistakes of the past are never repeated.
Today, I offer Part 2 of 3: Advice and Insights gained from my self-publishing adventure.
If you missed Part 1: Mistakes and Advice, you can CLICK HERE to read it.
Part 3 of 3: Rewards for Me and Maybe for You will publish Sunday, September 13, 2026.
ADVICE ON SELF-PUBLISHING, Continued
Let's pick up my List of 10 Tips with Number 6.
Save all your upload data in a file separate from your manuscript file so you can copy/paste where needed if you plan to publish on platforms other than Kindle.
The same basic information may need some modifications as required by the other platforms, but you've already created the bulk of it.
7. Always use the Preview function to check what you uploaded. Take your time. Only click "publish" when everything has been checked.
8. As soon as your upload has gone "live," buy a copy and go through it. On an ereader, you'll immediately see if something is wrong. If you find errors, take action immediately to correct the problem.
10. Accept that sometimes things just don't go as planned and some books don't succeed. If you made mistakes, do what you can to correct them.
If your book doesn't find an audience, do what you can to improve the situation, but don't spend all your time trying to keep it on life support. Write the next book.
TAKEAWAY TRUTH
That's enough for today. Come back Friday, September 11, 2026, to read Part 3 of 3, Rewards for Me and Maybe for You, the unbelievable part of my journey—what happened for me and what digital publishing may do for you.
Recently, I came across a post I wrote for another author's website back in June 2011. I had published one of my backlist books on Amazon KDP in late March which is why she asked me to be a guest on her blog.
My post for her explained why I did something that was considered extremely radical—repubishing a backlist book as an ebook.
 |
| Champs-Élysées Books, shows 1 of my books |
It may also convince authors who believe digital publishing isn't worth the effort that they're missing a great opportunity to advance their careers—not that we who digitally publish need any more competition!
Here's the excerpt from 2011 with my "today" comments in brackets.
EXCERPT, EBOOKS: SMART, NOT DUMB (2011)
When I announced to a group of authors that I intended to publish my backlist and even some original fiction as ebooks, many wondered why I would do that. It was easy to see they questioned the wisdom of my intention.
There's a polarity when it comes to writers and indie publishing, and there are two primary schools of thought: the best thing since sliced bread or that sucks.
BOLDLY GO WHERE SOME WRITERS ARE GOING
I'm a firm believer in "nothing ventured; nothing gained." When markets are drying up, left and right, it's nice to see something opening up that can directly benefit writers, and that's digital self-publishing.
By benefit, I don't just mean making some bucks. I also mean finding an audience for your work.
I've stated before that: "I've given up on New York publishing, BUT they gave up on me first." And, I'm not the only published author who couldn't fit the square peg of their writing into New York's round hole. (No pun intended but feel free to laugh.)
I'm a writer. I want to be read. Many authors are finding readers by becoming indie authors and publishing our own work. If you want to try the indie author route, learn all you can about the process. That's why I'm here today.
When I published Just One Look, a previously published book that became my first ebook on Kindle and sold thousands of copies every day for a solid month, I made every mistake possible so I'm particularly qualified to talk about how NOT to be dumb.
[Why did that happen? Because there wasn't much "how-to" information out there in 2011.]
2011 ADVICE THAT'S STILL VALID - 10 TIPS
1. Learn how to properly format your file for an ebook that looks professional. [Now there are options for the type of file you can upload besides DOCX, MS Word like Atticus, available at a relatively low-cost for a one-time fee, that can create a beautifully formated ebook or print book.
3. Make sure you have the legal right for anything you publish. If you plan to publish a book that was previously published elsewhere, you should have a legal reversion of rights letter.
4. Make sure your manuascript is bullet-proof before you upload it. That means getting a good proofreader and/or editor. That also means not doing anything that might get you sued, for instance, using the names of real people who may take exception to your actions.
Some think that as long as you don't say anything negative, it's okay to use the name of a real person. That's not true. I personallly know an author who was sued by the person she mentioned in her book. What she wrote was simply Mrs. So and So, the owner of Name of Business. That got her sued.
5. Be patient and take your time so you don't make dumb mistakes like uploading the wrong manuscript file. Yes, that's obvious, but I did that the very first time and didn't realize it until I started getting bad reviews. I didn't understand what they complained about in my book until I looked at it on my Kindle.
TAKEAWAY TRUTH
I hope you're finding this information educational or at least entertaining.
Join me on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, for Part 2 of 3: More Advice and Insights learned from my adventures in self-publishing.
Believe it or not, we're just 2 1/2 months away from Thanksgiving. From then through New Year's Day, it's going to be a marathon of cleaning and cooking and getting ready for holiday guests.
I take the easy way out and start planning now—gifts, who's arriving and when, who's sleeping where, what kind of meals do I need to prepare, etc.
Meal planning is easy when done in advance. I make out menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner because if I know what to cook, shopping for ingredients is much easier.
Also, I like to make easy entrees and desserts. One of the easiest and really delicious desserts is Punch Bowl Cake because it's easy to make, easy to change the flavor profile by switching the pudding and fruit to other types, easy to serve—with a spoon instead of having to slice it—and it's really tasty. If you think about it, Punchbowl Cake is merely a trifle.
 |
| Make pudding often? Buy in quantity. |
Ingredients
1 boxed yellow cake mix
2 packages of vanilla pudding mix (instant or the kind you cook) I use the large so I have plenty of pudding for the layers. Any leftovers, the kids eat.
16 ounces whipped cream
1 can crushed pineapple, drained
4 sliced bananas
Chopped pecans, fresh or toasted. (Toasted with a caramel glazing is really good.)
1 can cherry or strawberry pie filling (To my surprise, it's much cheaper at Amazon.)
Directions
1. Bake the yellow cake according to the box direcctions. Let it cool completely. Either cut it into cubes or tear it into bite-sized pieces.
 |
| At Amazon |
3. In another bowl, lightly mix the crushed pineapple, sliced bananas, and the pie filling.
4. In a punch bowl or a large clear bowl—so you can see the layers—begin to build the cake.
5. Layer 1 is the cake pieces placed at the bottom.
6. Layer 2 is the vanilla pudding spooned and smoothed over the cake pieces.
7. Layer 3 is the fruit mixture.
8. Layer 4 is the whipped cream.
9. Repeat the layers, finishing with whipped cream as the last layer. Garnish with the chopped pecans.
10. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 to 8 hours or overnight so flavors meld together.
OPTIONS TO MIX AND MATCH
Nuts can be pecans, walnuts, macadamia, or pistachios. You can also use chocolate chips if using chocolate pie filling.
Fruit can be bananas, peaches, nectarines, stewed apples, dark sweet cherries.
Pie filling can be cherry, peach, strawberry, apple, or blueberry.
Whipped cream can be Cool Whip, but I personally don't like the taste of Cool Whip.
TAKEAWAY TRUTH
If you like trifles, you'll love this dessert that serves a crowd which makes it perfect for parties and big dinnerss.
