June 5, 2022
An update on Angelo II’s progress:
After working on it for two years at a snail’s pace, Dashiell and David’s story is done!
Now, on to the final book of Angelo II — Book Four: Penemuel II. As this will be the story that gives John his props while tying everything together, I have some major research ahead. I’m hoping — praying — that I don’t take two years to finish it.
September 23, 2021
So, NaNoWriMo is in another month, and I already know I won’t hit the goal of 50,000 words. I never do. So, I’ll do what I’ve been doing for the last three years: Participate, socialize a little, and continue working on Angelo II… which is currently at 158,600 words!
June 27, 2021
After over a month of NOTHING on Angelo II, I’m now back into the swing of things. About damned time!
Of course, it’s slow going — my usual pace — but at least I’m writing, and I like what I’ve got so far. The last scene I wrote features a serial killing character from one of my short stories; he’s more or less just driving through Angelo, since he knows he’s no match for the other paranormal beings in town.
Speaking of short stories… since my brain was completely blocked with the novel, I worked on and tweaked the collection I’m writing. I’ve also created a creepy cover for it, and just need to finish the novelette in the book, and write a few more short stories. Hell — I may be finish with this way before I complete Angelo II. The short story collection is called Sinful Secrets and Dark Desires.
So, with the previous writer’s block, at least I spent the time working on other projects. Which reminds me… I need to start on some of the character drawings. Dammit.
May 30, 2021
NaNoWriMo has begun its Writers of Color Community Time events on Zoom. They are scheduled monthly, on the fourth Friday of every month, and will run to the end of 2022!
On the 28th, the featured guest was the new YA author of ‘Made In Korea’ — Sarah Suk. It was a nice gathering, and Sarah was a gem.
I plan on attending as many of these meetings as I can!
October 19, 2020
Still working on Angelo II, which is the third book of the Angelo, Texas trilogy. I have two spin-offs in mind, but first, I need to finish Angelo II. Ha ha.
Ramiel’s story took a LOT of work, but I’m finally done with it, and pleased with the result. I’m now four short chapters into Dashiel’s story and for now, I got no clue on what’s going to happen next. Well, I have some ideas, but nothing concrete. Dashiel’s ‘book’ features a m/m couple.
Right now, Angelo II is at 138,000 words, and none of it is filler or repetitive stuff. Technically, I could have made each story in Angelo II as a separate novella or novelette, but I don’t want to break it up, as I like the format of the book, and how the scenes/situations flow together, with no cliffhangers.
Page count-wise, it’s at 468, including the front matter.
August 30, 2020
RWA 2020 Virtual Conference.
Well, I had a blast at the conference; it was really fun – and easy – as I was sitting on my ass in front of my desktop for the 3-day event.
I learned a lot, and met some really great authors!
May 25, 2020
The Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal chapter of the RWA is having its annual ‘On the Far Side’ contest, and I volunteered to be a judge. I have EIGHT entries to read and score by June 29th. Granted, they are the first 20 pages or so of each novel, but still… a lot to read.
Since I offered to help, I’m committed to the task. Plus, I may actually discover a few authors to add to my growing TBR list!
March 16, 2020
I just voted for reps in my local chapter and nationals with the RWA. While I’ve seen no issues on the local level (I admit that I’ve yet to attend a meeting), the organization on the national level was a hot mess. I’m hoping that real change is on the horizon. We’ll see…
February 14, 2020
As a relatively new member of the Romance Writers of America, I’m appalled by the groups actions – and inactions – to the complaints of racism, anti-LGTBQ+, and disabled biases that are entrenched within the organization.
Around two hundred members have left so far, including some big names in romance, like Beverly Jenkins, Tessa Dare, Alyssa Cole, Alyssa Day, Elizabeth Hoyt, and Courtney Milan, to name a few.
With that being said, it actually looks like there is a glimmer of hope in the works with a few left to fight the good fight, judging from what I’m seeing in the RWA forums. Of course, there are still some NWL and the like trying to maintain the status quo, and I’m happy to state that they are being shot down with their whining and trolling of the threads.
I was thinking about letting my membership lapse when it comes due at the end of July, but with what I’m seeing now, there may actually be some real change coming in the organization, as some serious hell-raising is going on right now. I hope that if things turn for the better, those greats in romance will return. We’ll see…
And to think that the RWA was founded by a Black woman (Vivian Stephens). WTF?
November 2, 2019
A short, short story that I have on Medium:
All It Takes Is One Time
Once, a man hit me; he struck me across the face. My nose bled, as well as my upper lip, which was punctured by my own teeth from the force of that slap.
I was in my early twenties when the incident happened. Afterwards, I swore that no man would ever hit me again… and I had my revenge.
Just last week, I was at my local grocery store. While trying to figure out which laundry soap to buy, I saw him. Our eyes met, and he genuinely seemed terrified. His abrupt turn down the next aisle made me chuckle. He was still in a wheelchair.
October 20, 2019
Spent the day reading a ton of Medium articles and short stories that I had on the back-burner for over two months. I was able to do this, once I decided on renewing for another year.
Now… on to my writing. As I have a whole week off from work (unpaid, as I’m a 10-month employee at my job, and need to take eight unpaid weeks off per fiscal year), I really have no excuse for neglecting Angelo II now.
Thank the Goddess for good coffee and plum wine.
October 10, 2019
Well… here I am, and I really don’t have much to say at the moment. Still, welcome to my partially furnished home. At some point, I will be adding artwork featuring some of my characters. Note that I am not very tech-savvy; while I like and appreciate most modern conveniences, I’d feel fine writing with a quill and ink.
Hell… to be honest, creating this author site was a pain in the ass.
M. F. Hopkins 