C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

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December’s First Wednesday & Holiday Treats

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The last post of 2019 is rather nostalgic for me. So much has happened in these 365 days-some wonderful, some not so wonderful. This is my first full year living alone, and there were times when I thought, “Nope! Can’t do this.” And then, I did.

Traveling helped. I revisited Athens, and had my own Odyessy around the Greek Islands. Morocco was next, and I learned so much about this fascinating part of the world.

Not Guilty by C. Lee McKenzie

Kindle Cover

Not Guilty, my fifth contemporary/realistic novel was published. I didn’t think I was going to make it, actually. The acceptance from the publisher came about a week before I left for Morocco, and I didn’t have a clue how I was going be on the road and get ready to launch a book. Fortunately, I was smart enough to know I couldn’t do it alone and hired MC Book Tours. They did a great job, and the launch went off without a hitch.

The book’s out to good REVIEWS, of course, I could use more, but that’s a given. I wish readers understood how important reviewing really is these days. Some do, but many do not!.

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And now to the Wednesday business! Be sure to check us out on Twitter. Remember the next Twitter Pitch is JANUARY 15! Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSGPit.

DUE TO NEW YEAR’S DAY FALLING ON A WEDNESDAY, WE WILL BE POSTING JANUARY 8 RATHER THAN JANUARY 1!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. The co-hosts for the December 4 posting of the IWSG areTonja Drecker, Beverly Stowe McClure, Nicki Elson, Fundy Blue, and Tyrean Martinson!

Remember, the question is optional!

December 4 question - Let’s play a game. Imagine. Role-play. How would you describe your future writer self, your life and what it looks and feels like if you were living the dream? Or if you are already there, what does it look and feel like? Tell the rest of us. What would you change or improve?

I have three more stories that I would like to see published. One is with my agent, one is sitting on my C-Drive while I decide how to manage it, and one is in draft form and out to a beta reader. If these books make their way into the world, I’m thinking it’s time to take more hikes, do more traveling, and maybe attend to all of those chores I’ve put off while laying down one word after another.

IWSG Anthology Contest 2019

Now’s the time for those Holiday Treats-the winners of the anthology contest. Here they are! Congratulations to all of them! The stories are awesome.

 

 

 

The Third Ghost – Yvonne Ventresca http://yvonneventresca.com/blog.html
A World of Trouble – Rebecca M. Douglass https://www.ninjalibrarian.com
Winter Days - Katharina Gerlach https://www.katharinagerlach.com
Feathered Fire – Roland Clarke https://rolandclarke.com/
The Ghosts of Pompeii – Sherry Ellis http://www.sherryellis.org/
The Blind Ship – Bish Denham http://bish-randomthoughts.blogspot.com/
Return to Cahokia – L.T. Ward
Dare Double Dare – Louise M. Barbour https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com
Simon Grey and the Yamamba - Charles Kowalski https://charleskowalski.com/
The Orchard - Beth Anderson Schuck https://twitter.com/schuck_beth

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Sign of the Green Dragon by C. Lee McKenzie

 

 

On my Email Connect this month, I’m giving away three signed copies of Sign of the Green Dragon and digital copies of Bouhaki, a bit of feline Christmas escape. Merry Christmas. If you don’t celebrate that holiday, then Happy Hanukkah or Yule or Pancha Ganapati or Bodhi Day.

Bouhaki by C. Lee McKenzie

 

 

 

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Did you sign up for WEP? There’s still time, and this theme is ripe for some very special posts.

 

 

 

 

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One more bit of great news is from J.Q. Rose. Her latest book is non-fiction, and it’s a perfect gift for someone thinking of writing memoir. Your Words, Your Life Story will help you spark and share your memories.

 

 

 

 

And if you’d like to jump into this Advent Calendar Event for Writers, do it here. Some great gifts await!

 

 

 

Quote of the Month:

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.” T. S. Eliot

Comments

  1. Wow, you enthralled me with your tale of silence, a starry night, a dog named Anubis ane the Sun god. Sounded beautiful. I am late making the rounds. Happy IWSG!

  2. Dear Lee - I’ve often thought of you this past year … and it’s good to read this post - it must be so difficult for you … but you seem to be giving yourself a chance to live even now. The trip to Greece, and then that to Morocco … must have been great to have as something happy to look forward to, while you processed your life to the now.

    You’ve done so well with your writing … and long may that go on - and thank you for all your help in the blogging world - cheers and with thoughts for the next year coming along - Hilary

    • Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comment, Hilary. It was lovely to read.

  3. Lee, it sounds like you have the balance thinggie down to a fine art.

    After reading your comment on my blog, I’m surprised to learn that you didn’t dream of being a writer; it crept up on you after years of loving to read. I had NO IDEA. I was under the impression that you’ve been writing, like forever…

    I still need to read and review Not Guilty. My apology.
    It’s been an intense academic year for me, filled with all sorts of new challenges and I’m so glad it’s over. Now that I’m on holiday, I’ll definitely get to your book.

    Have a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year filled to the brim with writing awesomeness! And more travel experiences too….

    • I don’t agree with you about my having anything in balance, excepts perhaps an occasional yoga pose that I can manage.

      I’ve scribbled a lot of stuff over the years, but I really didn’t set out to write for publication, except for my years at the university. That was a very different kind of writing, of course, and I still have to edit out a lot of that academic prose from my novels. It keeps sneaking in.

      When you do get around to Not Guilty, I hope you enjoy the read.

      I look forward to spending time with you here in 2020. Merry Christmas!

  4. You have had a lot on your plate this year. I look forward to hearing about your three new books. May you enjoy the holidays and find light in the darkness and warmth in the chill during this season of the bleak midwinter (according to Rossetti)

  5. Congratulations on the books, and even more on making it through the first year. That’s no small thing. As for all those chores, remember the wise words of my mother: “A tidy house is a sign of a mis-spent life.”

  6. My guess is that while you’re working on those next three books, another idea will appear that must be written. That’s why we’re writers.

    Merry Christmas!

  10. Three books up-wow! You are such an inspiration. I love “…take more hikes, do more traveling, and maybe attend to all of those chores I’ve put off while laying down one word after another.” That sounds like the perfect balance of life and work. It has occurred to me that if I’d work on balance instead of production, I might actually be more productive.

    • It’s not easy to find balance,is it? and then keeping it is a whole other matter. I’m always on a teeter totter. Have a wonderful holiday season.

  12. You are an inspiration, Lee! I hope that your three queued books get published, and I wish you lots of relaxation and traveling! I will definitely be reading more of your books. All the best to you, whatever direction your future takes!

  14. 3 out is a fine goal indeed. Then travel away and bring new experiences for more sometime down the line.

  15. That’s great that you were able to do so much traveling and get your book published this year! Hope those three stories get out into the world soon!

  16. I’m glad you’re figuring out the living alone. It’s still hard for me some days. That’s awesome that you have three more books in the works. I’m hoping to finish my manuscript next year.

  18. Before I became a writer and was merely a reader, I never realized how important reviews meant for authors. We need to spread the word to all readers!!

    I can’t imagine the pain and loss you went through this year. Grief rips our hearts apart, and then we have to try to put all the pieces back together again. It’s a harrowing process and sometimes the pieces get dinged and misshapen. I’m happy you’ve made it through, And, hoping 2020 will be brighter…

    • That is so kind of you, Cathrina. Thank you. Everyone has the experience of losing someone, so we all understand how hard it is. Expressing that understanding is sometimes really important, so I appreciate that you did.

  19. Sounds like you’re living the dream. It’s too bad reviews aren’t compulsory 😉 The travelling sounds nice; glad you had a great time.

  23. Love your end quote. Words to live by. Some to leave in the past. Others awaiting us. “Not Guilty” is an excellent book. Here’s to a New Year and new adventures!

  24. My very greedy self does hope that you complete those books. I have yet to read anything of yours which I haven’t loved.
    My less greedy self hopes that (after the writing is done) you DO get to indulge yourself with the very best kinds of self care. And that you find a suitably qualified fairy to attend to the every growing to-do list.

  25. Hi,
    I’m progressing toward the one year mark. There were times when I thought Oh wow, but I have grown so much that I cannot help but have a heart of gratitude for all of those who have reached out to me when I needed it.
    Three new books? That’s great. I enjoy your writing style so let me know if you need me to do a review.
    All the best.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

  26. I’m soooo sorry I’m late in posting a review for you but I promise I will get it done, and post about it on my blog. I really got into Not Guilty and thought it very well written. What an accomplishment to make it through your first year alone. I think of you a lot because of that and was happy to see you traveling and working in your yard. Can’t wait to read the next three books!

  27. Here’s to more books and safe travels! One day I hope to get a chance to do my own adventuring in the world. 🙂 Have a terrific Christmas and here’s to a great 2020 for all of us.

  28. I like the idea of an extended December break, Lee. Hmm… I’m pondering that for next year. Three books in the queue-I like that too. The probably with stopping afterwards to smell the flowers is my characters rarely leave me alone. I am impressed you are able to juggle so much at once!

  32. Hi, Cheryl-Lee!

    It’s great to see you, dear friend! If you think about it, wonderful + not so wonderful = wonderful, because here you are at the completion of another exciting year of travel, book writing and publishing and “thrival.” You didn’t know you could do it, didn’t think you could do it, and yet you did it. That’s the mark of a champion. I hope you will live the dream you described in your answer to this month’s question. Best wishes for a happy Christmas and prosperous new year, dear friend Cheryl-Lee!

  33. You are amazing. I had a professor once tell me that the surest sign of sanity is a person’s ability to adapt to change. You have to be the sanest, strongest woman I know.
    Not Guilty was a great read. I am not the best reviewer in the world, but I figure a lame one is better than none.

  35. You have had quite an eventful year. I’ve been impressed by your resilience as you’ve transitioned to living alone. And I’ve really enjoyed seeing the pictures of your travels. All the best for getting your new stories published.