tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61348992012-01-01T09:35:09.849-05:00Cherlyn MichaelsMy diary about my life as a writer with a day job, entrepreneur, reader, health enthusiast, and runner; random thoughts, new discoveries and whatever else that keeps me in the throes of everlasting procrastination.Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.comBlogger2221100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-13470491656882796512012-01-01T08:44:00.003-05:002012-01-01T09:26:40.637-05:00
WELCOME 2012!
This may be the most excited I've ever been about ushering in a new year. The past two years have been somewhat of a trial for me. Not in the worst way, as I believe there are others who have faced more dire circumstances and I thank God daily for watching over me. However, a challenge to me is any change in life that gives you pause or confuses you on what to do or what Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-65307298379379815822010-05-15T08:20:00.005-04:002010-05-15T09:18:36.795-04:00A LONG JOURNEYIt's been a long haul but I'm coming around. Over the past several months, I have been battling a couple of health issues. Not life threatening, but definitely compromising the quality of life.In April, I finally had surgery to remove problem-some fibroids. I had eight and the largest was 8.0 cm. I was told that was about the size of a grapefruit and was like carrying a 4-month Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-15743206046909329472009-09-12T06:25:00.008-04:002009-10-05T21:15:33.927-04:00Integration Has Its Benefits It seems to be a fact that most writers have, and may continue to have, a day job in order to pay the bills while they do the thing that they love most. We straddle two (or rather, multiple) worlds. A world of doing what we have to do to survive physically, so that we can do what we need to do to survive creatively or spiritually. For the most part, these two worlds Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-67786533221401779362009-09-03T19:13:00.005-04:002009-09-03T19:37:23.559-04:00A GOOD BAD DAY You know you're in a good place when it feels like the ground beneath you feet crumble with each step you take, rain falls on your lenses and fog covers them every time you wipe it away, or when obstacles appear out of nowhere...and through all of this, you feel at peace. Ever have a day or a period of time when incident after incident happens...things that should bring you down Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-56520631090195346452009-08-18T19:34:00.005-04:002009-10-05T21:17:28.582-04:00AN ENDING AND A NEW BEGINNINGLast night was the mark of a completion of a goal. I submitted my last paper for class, and thus went to bed an MBA graduate. This morning, I woke up to a new beginning and a new challenge. With school a fresh 8 hours in my past, I had already put it off to a distance. I had a fresh goal. I awoke to a writing focus and desire to plan the completion of this new goal. Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-2580144945967325412009-08-16T09:10:00.006-04:002009-08-16T09:41:56.822-04:00TMII probably shouldn't admit this, but I remember sitting in my AIChE student member meeting for Chemical Engineering students, where the President was trying to get us to sign up to use this thing called the World Wide Web. It was supposed to provide us with a wealth of information and this thing was going to be H-U-G-E. Our response? Yeah, right.Fast forward, uh, a few years later, and here I Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-23375916674252508512009-08-14T05:10:00.011-04:002009-08-14T07:30:14.575-04:00HOW MANY YOUS ARE THERE?On her latest album, Beyonce talks about her new alter-ego, "Sasha Fierce" and sings about "Ego." Unbeknown to former coach and teammates, 1982 Heisman Trophy winner, Hershel Walker claimed multiple personalities, or "alters" before his 2008 book release of Breaking Free. When the time of your passing has come, how many people would be able to convey a distinct personalityCherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-10875196308975479602009-08-09T09:42:00.010-04:002009-08-09T10:39:23.148-04:00WATCH YOUR MOUTH NOWIsn't it ironic? It seems to me, that creative people, the people who express themselves the most--whether visually, musically, or literally--are the ones who must be the most careful about freedom of expression of their own personal thoughts. Oh, the irony.I just thought about this idea when I read blog post by Tess Gerritsen called "Why I Haven't Been Blogging." I can Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-78775517295639135182009-08-07T04:51:00.008-04:002009-08-07T05:19:28.206-04:00BOOK 7, KINDLE 0Have you been keeping up with the Green Apple Core Series of the Book vs. the Kindle Reader? Hilarious! If not, check out rounds 1 - 7 of the fight on the Green Apple Core blog. I've been watching for the latest updates since round 3.And I get their point. I want an e-reader, but in no way do I expect it to replace real books for me. I cannot imagine my home with 10,000 e-books onCherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-16960539965322533142009-08-02T08:47:00.007-04:002009-08-02T09:42:42.346-04:00THE CHOSEN PATHEver think about the different paths you could have taken in life? The different choices you could have made that may have brought you to a different point than where you are today? Well, I'm a thinker. Sometimes crap just pops into my mind and I sit there for a few moments--or hours--in great ponderance (Yes, ponderance. I'm going to submit that word to Webster, so give it a Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-24730453557724248892009-07-29T05:00:00.007-04:002009-07-29T05:49:32.156-04:00THE BOOK THIEFSo how would you feel if the seller of your car came to pick it up with his own set of keys, because the person that sold it to him sold it illegally? He left you money in your mailbox. But just didn't tell you. You found out when you decided to make a late night White Castle run. Not feeling that? Well what if the local bookstore just came to your house and picked two books off Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-62472152029525091432009-07-26T08:13:00.004-04:002009-07-26T08:29:19.092-04:00EBONY MJ COMMEMORATIVE BOOKI've never been one to collect events, however, on my trip to the Barnes & Noble Cafe yesterday, I did pick up a Michael Jackson commemorative book. First of all, they were hard to avoid. I've never seen MJ on so many covers at one time. He had the covers of various mags within the racks, a special MJ section with all of them together in the magazine section, and then Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1884542988012099232009-07-25T06:54:00.004-04:002009-07-25T07:42:57.714-04:00A SIMPLE LIFEI'm looking at my empty living room and counting down the days when I will have the time to go sofa shopping. Well, actually, I know the sofa that I want. Found it online months ago. But I want to go see it at the store to be sure that I really do like it and I haven't had the time to do so. My main concern? Size. I want to make sure it's not to big where it will take up a lot of Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-27069072887753544252009-07-24T17:50:00.007-04:002009-07-24T20:43:25.730-04:00E. LYNN HARRISI'm one of many readers and writers who have been saddened by today's sudden loss of E. Lynn Harris. He was a true literary legend in African American fiction. A great writer who had such a gift at telling untold stories. He will be very much missed.Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-76740967146818389882009-07-20T18:54:00.005-04:002009-07-24T20:44:38.234-04:00GATES ARRESTWow! Got to hurry and finish up an assignment and submit it tonight. But, I just HAD to share the post of Tayari Jones regarding the mistaken arrest of Henry Louis Gates Jr.. All I can say is...WOW!Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-64112007892775701282009-07-18T07:52:00.004-04:002009-07-18T08:22:42.077-04:00Positive ThinkingBefore I knew about positive thinking, I find that I engaged in a lot of positive thinking that has gotten me to where I am today. Before I knew that there was a technique, method, or philosophy surrounding positive thinking, I found myself thinking of major things I wanted to do in my life and focused in on it until I achieved it. What I thought could be described as stubbornessCherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-4213049447349978142009-07-12T08:05:00.004-04:002009-07-12T08:27:10.384-04:00I noticed I have a morning routine before I do anything. Whether it be going to work, school work, writing, or just getting up in general. I have a list of things that I do, but not necessarily in the exact same order.Before I start my day, I must relax and reflect. Meditate. It's hard for me to just get up and go. I have to take at least 30 minutes to lay while away, or else, "my ass is grass" Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-40900020543444947412009-07-11T07:12:00.003-04:002009-07-11T07:53:58.831-04:00In a situation regarding trauma, one advantage a writer may have is the immediate therapy that writing can provide. While this is a tool available to anyone, the writer may feel the most comfortable with this form of therapy and may be able to get to it quickly without worry about how is done. They may be able to just pick up the pen, remove themselves, and just let emotions fill the page.I feel Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-76009684799703241112009-07-06T08:31:00.004-04:002009-07-06T09:07:44.066-04:00As I'm slowly easing back into writing, I'm slowly getting a look at the big picture ahead of me. Conversations with two authors helped to bring home the point of the larger task that is ahead of me. I'm speaking of that giant monster of marketing and promotion.This weekend, I read the blog of author-friend Peggy Love, who wrote about Social Media's Exploding Frontier. I also had a chat with Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-42583930021871716942009-07-04T12:51:00.005-04:002009-07-04T14:02:12.796-04:00I'm starting to get excited now. Six more weeks of school and I will have all my classes completed for my Master's Degree. So much has been on hold since I started school last September. I've been taking one class at a time, but the semester long class is squeezed into six weeks. Plus I'm trying to study periodically for a quality certification and a project management certification. When I Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-69991000219662642372009-07-03T05:51:00.005-04:002009-07-03T06:25:16.077-04:00Six more weeks until school is over and I can go back to focusing on writing. Yay!I never write about stuff like pop culture, fashion, makeup, etc. because I don't find it enjoyable to read or write about. But the passing of MJ has made me look, notice, and reflect on several things. With the passing of a musical icon, I notice the immediate reflection on negativity, gossip and speculation, and Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-75233736070727761942009-05-03T10:33:00.004-04:002009-05-03T19:01:23.895-04:00I borrowed a dvd from the library: AGAINST ALL ODDS - THE ARTISTS OF THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE. The interesting thing about it was some of the issues amongst black artists at that time. Of course, there was more discrimination and segregation during that time and their struggles surrounded that, as can be expected. There were argument's within the race of whether all arts should be to only show the Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-88945108176982904972009-03-18T18:05:00.006-04:002009-03-18T19:05:49.708-04:00So right after my post last month about my apparent underlying quest to be busy and innundated with chaos at all times, apparently I decide it's the perfect time to move. (Huh???) And move, like, now. And, of course it's just me and I'm in school so I have to work around all that. So I spend 2 full weeks arranging for a mover, and packing a little each night and on weekends. Move one weekend. Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-87608527111935586012009-02-07T09:18:00.004-05:002009-02-07T09:35:44.083-05:00So the day after Superbowl weekend, I'm IMing with a friend, and once again, complaining how I don't have time to do everything I want to do. How there just isn't enough time and I can't relax and enjoy myself, even when I schedule the "me time" in. You know, my usual complaint of the last five years or so. Well, then she replies back, "I think you like being busy." She pretty much says that if ICherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-33138667503725956042009-01-06T04:54:00.003-05:002009-01-06T05:02:56.675-05:00Second day back at work. I'm struggling trying to find a routine to balance work, school, writing, working out, AND SLEEP. I have to fit these in and be able to get 7 to 8 hours sleep, else I'm no good. I hear people all the time talking about how they can get by with only 4 or 5 hours of sleep each day. Okay, I do not find this admirable at all. LOL And that's not something that I'm striving to Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-12815411239870028302008-12-30T08:52:00.007-05:002008-12-30T10:35:55.495-05:00Well, it's that time of the year. Time where we review the current year and decide where we failed or what was lacking and determine what changes we will make for the new year. I've never been big on resolutions, but I do like determining what I will focus on and specific actions to modify. Okay am I word playing here? Is that really the same thing as resolutions? LOL Well, not calling them Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-60099698851850500982008-12-29T09:15:00.005-05:002008-12-29T09:58:57.783-05:00I'm feeling good about the ending of this year. It's been a chaotic one for me, but chaotic good. Like the past four years, I spent the first few months of this year toggling between on and off employment contract assignments. Trying to get on somewhere permanent in my hometown of St. Louis. But frustration set in after the last assignment ended and I decided to open myself up to relocation to Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-48256211687659632232008-12-28T10:27:00.002-05:002008-12-28T10:51:59.197-05:00Been off since December 19th and I've gotten so much accomplished thus far. Well, first of all, I had about six or seven boxes of books and "stuff" sitting in the livingroom that I'd been wanting to unpack for the longest. Every time I walked through the front door, there they were, staring at me, looking hideous and begging to be unpacked. Since April they've been doing that. But I never had theCherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-2266569021303483332008-11-24T17:57:00.002-05:002008-11-24T18:05:15.592-05:00Whoa! Since August, huh? Well, the good news is, I finished the first draft. The bad news is...that thing is a mess! It's disjointed, it doesn't flow, and in some places, just plain doesn't jive. I'm thinking now that it just doesn't pay to try to rush something just to get it done. Yes, I had the story all outlined and I was doing only plot and dialogue, so there was going to be a second draft Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-64089994622182161622008-08-17T16:41:00.001-04:002008-08-17T16:44:29.761-04:00I've been away this time because I'm busy writing. The end is almost near. :-) I'm trying to have it finished at to my agent by the end of this month. Might be away until then.Cherrio!Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-72889058098344117882008-07-31T04:27:00.004-04:002008-07-31T05:34:10.952-04:00Yesterday was my blog day on Blogging In Black. Check out my post, "Writers, Get Your Hate Up."I'm off to Chicago. See you all Tuesday!!! :-)Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-48740553414834107142008-07-27T08:00:00.003-04:002008-07-27T08:24:53.713-04:00Yesterday, I went to Barnes and Noble with the intention to write. I often take my laptop there, pick up a book or magazine, read a little, then write. I skimmed the latest issue of Poets & Writers and the July issue of The Writer. I got a lot of useful information out of it, so I decided to buy the August issue. I used to be an avid reader of Writer's Digest and I've gotten away from it. I Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-47819067671868627672008-07-25T04:56:00.003-04:002008-07-25T05:09:15.683-04:00Made it through another week and another two chapters. I've finally found my writing rhythm in Georgia. :-) During the week, I get up and write a little before work, but I'm finding that a bulk of my writing is on the weekends. I'm inching along on the novel, but moving nonetheless. Moreso that I've had the time to do over the last couple of years.I'm also reading while I go. Reading books on Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-76780086301847505142008-07-19T08:37:00.003-04:002008-07-19T09:15:16.075-04:00I'm like having the most relaxing morning ever! I don't think I've had a morning since I've been here where I'm not getting up, ripping and running all day, doing this and that, then trying to squeeze in some writing. So this weekend, it's reversed. I'm having my coffee and 8:30AM. I'm sitting here calmly drinking it, reading blogs, and blogging myself. Then I'm going to go to the gym. Get my Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-85641863938614353822008-07-18T03:54:00.004-04:002008-07-18T04:34:31.539-04:00I just realized something. I'm an addict. A political addict. A political junkie. I recently posted to a fellow author's blog about dating at work and her writing referenced Rocsi and Terrance at BET and the drama behind her not being on the show anymore. Another author posted about a newly married "Hollywood" couple. I knew who the bride was, but not the groom. Still wondering if he's supposed Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-5946404762104506052008-07-16T03:52:00.002-04:002008-07-16T04:10:45.277-04:00Okay, here's a picture of me posing with one of my bike club members with my new hair style. Ahhhhh! No more braids. What do you think?It's been funny. Since I've moved here, a lot of my friends and family are saying, "So you move to Atlanta and now you're spicing things up a bit." LOL I guess that has been true, but not because I moved near Atlanta. I felt so good with the move and changeCherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-12195971309013526912008-06-30T20:16:00.003-04:002008-06-30T20:25:08.953-04:00D-DAY HAS COME AND GONE!!!!And now.....drumroll please....IT IS FINISHED!!!!Uh, no! Not book #3. I wish! But my hair! LOL Well, after ten long years of wearing microbraids, I've finally laid them to rest for good. I took out the braids for the last time last Wednesday (and Thursday, and Friday), and got myself one of them cute li'l ol' hair styles with long sleek black hair and wispy bangs. Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-25457290663655359462008-06-26T04:58:00.002-04:002008-06-26T05:11:35.488-04:00Let the countdown begin....two days til D-DAY!!!!It's 5AM and I just finished up another chapter! I don't know how many times I've started over on this book. Not having a hard time with it at all. But everytime I'm away from it for a prolonged period of time, I find it's best to start over from the beginning so I can get into the flow of it. And each and everytime, I come up with what I think isCherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-29608531996470243062008-06-18T03:56:00.002-04:002008-06-18T04:21:43.371-04:00Relocation is rough! Sucks all the life right out of ya. The first two weeks I was here, I was basically trying to get to know the area. A small area, it is, unfamiliar nonetheless. Then apartment hunting after work and weekends. Finding new doctors and going for the initial visits (of course, they send you out to other facilities for testing for this and that...still gotta reschedule that Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-74978912073757149182008-06-16T05:18:00.002-04:002008-06-16T05:32:29.599-04:00It's been a long time coming, but I'm finally settled! :-) The last few months have been hectic. Relocation is a mutha! LOL Anyway, so after living in a hotel for two months, going back to St. Louis to move my things to storage somewhere in the midwest, finding an apartment in Macon, moving my things from storage, unpacking and organizing, I'm finally settled!As you can imagine, writing has Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-22424861077797946892008-03-09T15:57:00.002-04:002008-03-09T16:13:41.078-04:00Okay, you know the drill...boy have I been swamped! LOL So you know how I've been saying that lately, everytime I have a deadline and a good groove going, life steps in a throws a curveball? Well, needless to say, opening day has started early this year. So, my last contract assignment ended for me and it's one of those things that's both good and bad. Good, because it frees me up and lets meCherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-4206446206915935202008-02-23T13:27:00.002-05:002008-02-23T13:37:19.645-05:00Okay, okay....I jest. I only WISH I had that much fun for my birthday. It's been so long since I had a drink, I'd probably puke. LOLBut anyway, my usual statement....things are a little hectic right now. LOL I'm about to go on a little trip. A trip to handle a little "bidness," if you know what I mean. No, not the illegal kind. Perfectly legal. I hope to be able to share when I get back onCherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-38993945273611350062008-02-17T21:04:00.002-05:002008-02-17T21:11:36.801-05:00In the midst of celebrating a birthday here. I'll be back when I sober up...uh...I mean, when I stop seeing two of everyth...uh, I mean..... Just give me tittle lime. I'll back be...Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-78975955923334977532008-02-16T12:03:00.002-05:002008-02-16T12:26:54.761-05:00Another unplanned, busy, crazy week. Does any other type exist? I think not. Does it interrupt the planned writing schedule. But, of course. It just wouldn't be like right if it didn't. Yes, got quite a few loose ends that I'm in the process of tying up and hopefully I can do that soon because it's eating some of my writing time. But that's how it is when you're a working writer. Yes, you Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-33894431928120160962008-02-12T08:03:00.000-05:002008-02-12T08:42:31.451-05:00Blustery cold days in St. Louis now. These are those days when you just want to stay at home, huddled beneath the covers with your laptop and a pot of coffee, with incense burning. And I think that just might be what I do today. I deserve it. :-) Besides, I'm buried to my neck in writing. I have a great momentum going. I'm collecting stories during the week and writing the magazine storiesCherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-46337179444669583442008-02-09T11:59:00.000-05:002008-02-09T12:13:50.988-05:00Friday was an extremely good day for me!!!! :-) Something happened that I was hoping for over the last month or so. The start of something big. The start of a process that will allow me to change some things around and move more toward my purpose. Now, all I have to do is take action and complete the process...then I can blog about it. :-) It's just one of those things where you have Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-24285787020662614152008-02-07T17:16:00.000-05:002008-02-07T21:19:11.851-05:00Okay, point blank: MY ASS IS SORE!!!!! Well, more than just my ass. My hamstrings, my lower back, my inner thighs.... This is what I absolutely hate about laying off a weight routine, then having to start all over again. No matter how lightly you try to ease into it, a couple of days later you open your eyes in the morning and feel like you're tied down to the bed without anyone dressed in aCherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-6085619138169094922008-01-31T05:09:00.000-05:002008-01-31T05:28:09.593-05:00I had to suddenly take a little time off. I experiences two lives cut short, way before their time. My nephew at 15 months and a fellow biker who died of a heart attach at 26. Things like this can cause you to be very reflective. We all expect to see death and know we're going to experience death. But when we see it before we think it's time and we don't understand why, we can spend much Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-6902892415804479822008-01-16T18:00:00.001-05:002008-01-16T19:18:16.905-05:00The last few days have been rough. I've been attempting to rearrange my internal clock to better achieve my goals. I've decided to workout first thing in the morning before work, then go to work, then spend the evenings reading and writing. With me already leaving at 5:45AM to go to work, and it usually taking me an hour to get ready for work, it's been like having jet lag. And in addition toCherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-7744250390815986792008-01-13T10:30:00.000-05:002008-01-13T11:21:29.973-05:00I had a great time yesterday. Went bowling with my Stunnas Motorsports Club members and had a nice and relaxing time. Yes, I had to answer to all the tough texting I did, but secretly, they love it. LOL The fact that I honestly don't know what I bowled should say a lot about my score. But it didn't matter. It was nice to get out and have fun. Now, I got up, went to the gym, got my writing Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-44764179482847555802008-01-12T08:49:00.000-05:002008-01-12T09:00:15.420-05:00It was a busy week. Had a few non-job, non-writer things going on, but I got through them, AND STILL wrote. Yay! At this point, if I'm able to write for an hour during the week, I'm satisfied. My biggest writing times are the weekends. Fridays are my off-days. No writing (unless I'm just dying to), no working out. Fridays after work are now for going out with the team, going out with the Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-88668822433241570312008-01-09T12:16:00.000-05:002008-01-09T12:24:40.778-05:00I do a little freelancing and my latest motorcycle community article just posted on Urbanburnout.com. Visit the FEATURES page to read the rest!Winter Bikerland“The weather outside is frightful,” begins the winter classic song that urges the skies to let it snow. But snow and the bitter cold weather that comes this time of year in the northern states leaves the average biker with a dismal feelingCherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-30009382063272620922008-01-06T10:47:00.001-05:002008-01-06T11:05:22.556-05:00Okay, I guess I can't put it off any longer. It's the end of the first week of January. So, no matter how much of a procrastinator I am, I have to admit, it's time to take down the tree. Uh, or rather, in my case, time to put the tree away on the top shelf of the closet. LOL I loved this custom made tree. My coworker makes themed tabletop Christmas trees as a hobby and made one for me with Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-14135418338509977132008-01-05T09:02:00.000-05:002008-01-05T09:49:11.245-05:00I sleep with the TV on (a necessity. can't sleep in silence) and every station I turn to is about Britney Spears most recent breakdown or drug excursion and I want to scream. But I'm comforted by the reports of the Iowa caucus and the talk about the New Hampshire primaries. Soothing, :-)Well, I finished the audio of The Price of a Child. It really wasn't for me. I never got a feel for the Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-51057031212608966482008-01-03T07:51:00.000-05:002008-01-03T12:57:13.159-05:00I've been mulling over what resolutions I want to make this year. I like resolutions, as I believe they help me to focus on things I want to improve. I don't have any bad habits that I want to break, but there are things I'd like to do better. My resolutions are social. I think it's high time that I move beyond the phone with the texting and emailing, and actually...help me...actually TALK toCherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-74341384801031026842008-01-02T06:10:00.000-05:002008-01-02T09:18:06.786-05:00Back from Atlanta! Had a great time bringing in the New Year with friends. The drive was pretty cool too. Devil in a Blue Dress was a great road story. I'm still listening to The Price of a Child. Although I'm going to finish it to the end, I'm not too crazy about it. I can't get a feel for the characters or the time frame. It's supposed to be set in the 1850's and the main character Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-32672833186519293652007-12-31T12:21:00.000-05:002007-12-31T12:47:14.935-05:00I scheduled in fun yesterday and by golly, I had it! LOL I made it to Atlanta. Got in last night and hung out with friends. I watched them play Madden and I made one of the guys choose the Rams. The other one refused to play my Rams. He chose the Patriots and guess who got SPANKED!!!!! Yep, Patriots. This game is just like real life! (NOT!) LOL Well, this got me to thinking about my Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-60483620819861080962007-12-30T07:10:00.000-05:002007-12-30T07:56:14.671-05:00It's the 30th of the month which means it's my day to post at BloggingInBlack.com. You can check it out by clicking the link. I also place an RSS feed on the side of my blog. Check it out today, and any other day to see what the writers there are blogging about. :-)Well, I'm up and packing. I'm heading to Atlanta to bring in the New Year with friends and members of the Atlanta Chapter of my Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-8966598662397566762007-12-29T09:15:00.000-05:002007-12-29T10:05:08.538-05:00I've been spending time going over the chapters I've written already. I confess. I'm like, "What the hell was I smoking when I wrote this mess?" What I'm finding out is that I'm not a good at writing under pressure or forcing myself to write if I'm not feeling it. Which is one reason why it would be hard to write to whatever the market dictates. Okay, let me tell you what happened. Earlier Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-6571262392219611952007-12-28T01:01:00.000-05:002007-12-27T23:07:26.148-05:00This is surprising to me, but I'm tickled pink. :-) I have to admit, the best gift I got for Christmas actually came from my manager. Now, who would have thunk a thing like that? A manager actually picking out a gift that fits you as an individual rather than say, one of several fruit cakes that was distributed to every employee alike? No, rather than give a "one gift fits all" present, he Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-54350663027718435122007-12-27T06:43:00.000-05:002007-12-27T10:05:27.348-05:00Well now. I'm finding that the more I blog, the more I keep up with my writing. I'm thinking, maybe it's like doing more or being on your best behavior when you know your parents are looking over your shoulder. Being that I'm a writer and I'm supposed to be writing, the mark of shame would be to come here and have to confess that no, I haven't written a thing in over a week for no other reason, Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-54697636139501773862007-12-26T06:45:00.000-05:002007-12-27T12:56:01.870-05:00So yes, as I counted on, there was wrapping paper and Christmas boxes from last year at my mother's house. And I discovered that apparently procrastination runs in my family, as I and my two brothers all took up a secret location in the house to use mom's wrapping paper (and scissors, and tape, and labels, and bows) to wrap gifts that would be unwrapped in less than 15 minutes. You can't just Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-79649930825405155092007-12-25T09:41:00.000-05:002007-12-27T12:57:32.925-05:00It's Christmas morning and I've put in work already. So far, I've spent a good hour sending out text messages to wish all my friends and distant family members a Merry Christmas. This year, I wasn't too good at getting my Christmas cards out in time. How many? How about zero. It all just happened so fast. One day I'm eating a turkey dinner, then, KAPOWAH! It's Christmas. So, I'm taking the Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-87343553422640516562007-12-24T17:38:00.001-05:002007-12-27T12:58:08.800-05:00Okay, it's Christmas Eve and I just started and finished my Christmas shopping. Yes, I'm forever the procrastinator, when it comes to shopping. Anything to put off fighting for parking spaces and crowded shopping malls. But this time, it wasn't so bad. One, because I listened to audio books while I drove. So having to circle the lot a few times gave me more time to find out what happened Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-33756271283253278562007-12-13T17:55:00.000-05:002007-12-27T13:12:05.323-05:00Aaaahhhh!!!! I've finally found another groove. Another writing groove. Now, after work, I head straight to Panera's in the Loop and get in my writing for today, as well as do a little reading. All while sipping a latte or eating a toasted cinnamon crunch bagel (or brownie on naughty days). It's a relaxing environment and I have the background noise going on so I can write (I can't write in Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-49886772946003505972007-11-25T11:24:00.000-05:002007-12-27T13:12:05.323-05:00*walking slowly into the room, whistling, like I've been here all along...*,,,so as I was saying, the solution to health care, immigration, and global warming is all evident. Ahem.Okay, so yet another long lapse in blog posts, and yes, things were still busy. I know I've said this before, but I think I'm on the verge of some normalcy now. LOL We'll see.Well, in the meantime, I've started book Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-3987524849206539782007-08-19T10:14:00.000-04:002007-12-27T13:12:05.323-05:00Whew! Been a while since I posted. It's been over a year now since I've been saying that things are going to slow down and I'll be back on a regular schedule in a minute. Yet things keep getting busier and busier. So busy that I'm not meeting my own personal deadlines on my books, and well, you know that's gotta stop. So, I made up my mind, starting today, everything else comes secondary to Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-71466036830672892332007-06-14T22:09:00.000-04:002007-12-27T13:12:05.324-05:00Hey peeps!It's been a while again, but as always, I'm busy plugging away. Hope you've been checking out my posts on BloggingInBlack.com. I do a monthly post there on the 30th of each month. I also post it on my myspace blog when I post a new one.I'm also the new feature writer at Urbanburnout.com and my first article posted yesterday. Yea! This is exciting for me. Because I'm combining two Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-3262282179166385122007-04-30T08:13:00.000-04:002007-12-27T13:12:05.324-05:00Just like life to get in the middle of your book promotion! LOL Well, it's been a hectic two months. Things were going great with promotion of the book, then I had to tend to some unplanned personal things that popped up at the most inconvenient time. And, as I've been saying, the day you stop promoting your own book is the day your book doesn't get promoted at all. And so it goes. But Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-477221774791703302007-03-06T09:59:00.000-05:002007-12-27T13:12:05.324-05:00Ah! Finally getting a chance when I can breathe a little. Most of my activities this month are at home, so I’m finally getting to tend to some things during the weekends as well. And yes, while I did have to buy new underwear, I finally found the time to do laundry! LOL I’m telling you….trying to promote, do events, and write a book, all while going through the normal routines of life, is noCherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-62582387471341494512007-02-15T11:52:00.000-05:002007-12-27T13:12:05.324-05:00Okay, my apartment’s a total mess again and there’s no time to straighten in up. Can you say, tornado central? LOL Once again, I feel like I’m there for a few hours to sleep, do a couple of hours of “book work,” then shower and get ready for the next day. I’m embarrassed to say this, but I’m just going to have to buy a pack of underwear now because I haven’t had time to do laundry. Shame, I Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-30450285933358806182007-02-08T09:51:00.000-05:002007-12-27T13:02:41.769-05:00Feedback about First Fridays is starting to come in and I'm cool with what I'm hearing. It's always great to hear reader's opinions of what you wrote. And, like I said, this time, I do feel more mellow with the feedback. After Counting Raindrops, there were some thoughts shared that made me want to ask, "Are you sure it's MY book you read?" LOL Not because it wasn't liked. But usually becauseCherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-32790408644011668562007-01-23T22:15:00.000-05:002007-12-27T13:03:16.631-05:00Okay, I'm cheating. LOL I posted this on my myspace blog last week, and I'm cuttin' and pasting it here. Sue me. LOLThis weekend starts off my events, and it's the second time around for me. My second book. And with llke anything, you learn from experience or you change things around from experience. And your thoughts and attitudes can changed, based on the experience from the first time Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-18612790926355352482007-01-19T17:57:00.001-05:002007-12-27T13:03:42.856-05:00One down and one to go! Had my first event for First Fridays last night. Pics will be coming this weekend. But it was great and I had a great time. We just hung out at Mack’s Sports Bar and Grill, eating, drinking, and chatting. My motorcycle club members were hosting and ever present in their vests. And they even bought books too! How awesome! It was great to get the support of family and to seeCherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-37802613067208165902007-01-16T21:53:00.000-05:002007-12-27T13:12:05.325-05:00In the midst of things. Going to events, passing out promo cards. And to people on the street everywhere I go. Calling on the job to try to hook up events, interviews, making arrangements for the book release party, doing follow ups, making my infamous "to-do" list...checking it twice.... Oh wait, that's Santa. LOL In other words, at the daily author grind.Well, if you're in the St. Louis Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-24189635748306607712007-01-10T10:14:00.000-05:002007-12-27T13:04:44.019-05:00Just got wind of a review in the Seattle Medium News: First Fridays Review Check it out.And that reminds me, forgot to mention that the December/January issue of Heart & Soul magazine recommends First Fridays as a read in their Searching for Soul section. Check that out too!Lots of good things are happening and I'm still working hard to put things together and doing promotions for my upcoming Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-57027985881608420702007-01-07T19:50:00.000-05:002007-12-27T13:05:09.756-05:00My page is finished!!! Check out my Myspace Page. Let me know what you think about it. If you're on Myspace too, hit me up and let's be friends! I know it took me a long time to get around to getting one done, but I've been on it ever since! It takes awhile sometimes for me to get with the latest program. LOL But check in with me there too. I plan to keep this blog and talk about my writing/Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-56106910361135932552007-01-03T08:03:00.000-05:002007-12-27T13:05:47.955-05:00Release day was yesterday!!!! Hopefully books are on shelves. Okay, now here comes the part where I have to make people aware that it's there, tell them who I am and what I write and try to get them to give a new writer a chance. Hard work. But this time, I a book wiser. With Counting Raindrops, I tried a little bit of everything within my budget and too much stuff outside of it. So, with Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1163169738170981242006-11-10T09:41:00.000-05:002007-12-27T13:06:21.167-05:00Okay, um…yep. I’ve heard it, but now I think I can confirm for myself. It gets more difficult the second time around. LOL Wow. Now I’m looking back at writing, publishing, and promoting the first book and thinking, “Those were the good old days.” LOL Because now, with the second book, you’re not only trying to promote for it, but also trying to write the next book or short story on top of Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1161612878101989352006-10-23T10:01:00.000-04:002007-12-27T13:07:16.075-05:00When you start a new venture, EVERYTHING is exciting about it. Because you're full of enthusiasm because it's all new and fresh. Like starting a new job. That first day, that first week, or that first month, everything is all good. Until you've been through it before and you discover what you dislike about it. You discover which tasks are mundane and which ones you actually might even hate Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1161019377895141492006-10-16T13:15:00.000-04:002007-12-27T13:07:58.543-05:00Well, I successfully got through a great two weekends of events and had a great time doing them. The Friday before The Big Read, I did a radio interview on the St. Louis NPR radio station. It wasn’t until that day that I thought and realized that it was actually my very first in-studio radio interview. I didn’t know if I was going to be nervous or not, but when I got there and did it, I found Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1159820213963292482006-10-02T15:56:00.000-04:002007-12-27T13:08:27.719-05:00Well, things are moving right along. I should be able to notify you of website updates in the next couple of days. Now, I'm currently working on preparing for The Big Read on Saturday. But before then, I'm doing a radio interview Friday, October 6 from 11:25 a.m. to 12:00 noon on 90.7 KWMU, the St. Louis NPR station. Check me out! And here's info on my participation in the BigRead:11:30 a.m. Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1159207943910778822006-09-25T13:59:00.002-04:002007-12-27T13:08:55.776-05:00Well, time is getting close and we're right outside the busy window. Three months before release and that's when things really start to get hectic. And I'm so waaayyy behind on everything! Blog updates are few and far between, still haven't updated the website (working on it now) or put together the next newsletter. But things are about to get underway now. I finally came to the realization Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1155211877727160242006-08-10T08:08:00.000-04:002007-12-27T13:09:32.295-05:00Every time I think I’m back, I’m not. LOL No, but this time, I’m good. For real. Free time is winding down and I got to get back to the consistency I used to have in the writing career. I’ve been writing here and there, but long gone has been the writing 10 – 12 hours a day. I’ve enjoyed the summer and I’ve been practicing riding my motorcycle, a Ninja 600 ZX6. Like writing a book, it was Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1149430142664008742006-06-04T09:38:00.000-04:002007-12-27T13:10:48.689-05:00*Rolling over and rubbing my eyes with my fists*What time is it? It's spring now? Almost summer? Dang! What day is this? The 4th of JUNE???Ok, ok, ok... See, what had happened was...a few months ago, I was about to do my routine post to my blog, right? So, then, one of my girls called. And she was like, talking, like she always do, right? That girl know she can talk the ears off the deadCherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1138802623682360182006-02-01T08:40:00.000-05:002006-02-01T09:03:43.806-05:00So I have my new story carved out now, but I'm still doing research on my major issue and trying to decide what angle to take. What's going to make it the most interesting? Since the issue is surrounding a married couple, I need to ask some of my married girlfriends what they think if.... How would they respond to.... What would they do if.... The thing is, I like to do this without them Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1137592217488473512006-01-18T08:17:00.000-05:002006-01-18T08:50:17.553-05:00Well, I'm getting a good start. I'm finally settling into a good morning routine for book three. Right now, I'm working on shaping my story idea and doing research. I know the main story idea, but I'm considering different ideas to bring a twist to it. What's helping me with that is research and finding out what is the most common or most familiar response to the set of circumstances I'm Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1137166908932480802006-01-13T10:15:00.000-05:002006-01-13T10:41:49.003-05:00Okay, so it's already the middle of January and I'm STILL not back on track yet. LOL But no, I'm not vacationing still. Wouldn't that be nice? :-) But doing a little life sorting and organization. Getting things lined up for myself for this new year.Literarily, (is that a word?) I finished up a book, Soul on Bikes - The East Bay Dragons Motorcycle Club and the Black Biker Set. Yeah, I'm Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1135697522718883242005-12-27T10:15:00.000-05:002005-12-27T10:32:02.780-05:00I forgot to post the contest winners!!!! The winners are everyone who posted (by the due date) their list of favorite authors/favorite books. If you posted your list on my blog, send your mailing address to cherlyn@cherlynmichaels.com and I will send you an autographed copy of my book! I'm on vacation, but you will get them the first of the year! LOL Congratulations and Happy Holidays!!!_____Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1133969311560042602005-12-07T10:02:00.000-05:002005-12-07T10:36:53.356-05:00Isn't it funny how time flies? I know I said I'd be back December 1st. I can't believe it's the 7th already!Okay, so I can breathe a little bit. It's like, you know when you get a cold, and both your nasal passages are blocked? Then, things get a little better and one of them opens up so that you're breathing through only one side of your nose? It's not 100% clear, but hey, at least you can Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1132510340907255082005-11-20T12:55:00.000-05:002006-08-25T09:44:58.403-04:00Okay, I dropped in because I know I've been on an unofficial and unannounced hiatus. LOL As you can probably guess, I'm overloaded with stuff. I'm finishing up a short story and I have my last booksigning this weekend in Baltimore. By chance, if you're there, and you were planning on coming out, please note that my Sunday signing at Urban Knowledge has been changed to Friday from 6 - 8 PM.So,Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1131633124258131432005-11-10T09:12:00.000-05:002005-11-10T09:34:07.240-05:00I had an unexpected dilemma on Monday. I really needed to make more headway on the new short story I'm writing, then I still needed to do a re-read on the current on and offer feedback to my co-authors. So, I was all settled in for a full day and evening of writing. I was even planning on nixing Monday nite football and just watching at home. Then, I got a call from a friend who works for Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1131155426212072672005-11-04T20:40:00.000-05:002005-11-04T20:51:04.366-05:00For those of you in the St. Louis area, we're looking for the support of 100 teachers, authors, artists, and illustrators!!!:If you've visited my blog, you may know that I am working with a group of dedicated individuals to begin 826STL – a fabulous offshoot of 826 Valencia, writer Dave Eggers’ commitment to providing free writing workshops, tutoring, nurturing and inspiration for kids 8-18 who Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1131033511741416492005-11-03T10:57:00.000-05:002005-11-04T20:40:20.620-05:00CONTEST! (FROM NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER)Giving away books is cool! I'm having a ball. But this month, I want to know a little something about you and you're reading habits. So, I have two numbers in my head (no jokes about nothing else being there besides those numbers!). I'd love to hear who are your favorite authors and your favorite books. The two people to post that match the numbers in my head Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1131027235865959262005-11-03T08:54:00.000-05:002005-11-03T09:13:55.953-05:00I had the most pleasant surprise Tuesday night. I had a meeting with my non-profit startup team for Studio STL (if I hadn't mentioned before, this is a writing organization for kids that we're trying to get up and running by June next year. Currently, we're applying for affiliation with 826 Valencia.). So, team member Beth is going over the draft of the application from beginning to end, and Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1130769370952967852005-10-31T09:16:00.000-05:002005-10-31T09:36:11.133-05:00The book signing at Urban Knowledge in Memphis was great. It was hosted by the Unique Women's Social Club and they created quite the scene and drew in the crowd. They had nice little gift bags that they raffled off, had tasty refreshments, and just looked spectacular in their red shirts. I like red. :-) And Kim J. had already read my book and just talked it up a storm to customers. She got Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1130249674045299282005-10-25T09:37:00.001-04:002005-10-25T10:14:34.053-04:00Hey Peeps!I know it's really been a while now, but things are crazy hectic. Just so much to do. Last weekend, I did the St. Louis Book Festival as planned. However, I hadn't expected to be in the midst of another revision, so I was knocking that out too. Got it Thursday and spent that night and all day Friday doing the edits. It was pretty much all line edits, which requires just adding Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1129817724228897752005-10-20T09:55:00.000-04:002005-10-20T10:15:24.266-04:00I need to hurry and finish up a few little things. I'm expecting a guest today. That's right. My editor's assistant emailed me yesterday to let me know that First Fridays is on its way back to me and should be here today. That was quicker than I thought! I just knew I'd have at least two weeks to work on other stuff, but intead, my editor finished it in a week! So, I'm about to do the Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1129558857427880432005-10-17T10:04:00.000-04:002005-10-17T10:20:57.516-04:00Back in for a moment. Had a bad mishap at my signing this weekend. I go to the store to sign, and I see no indication that I'm supposed to sign there. No store announcements, no signs on the door, no nothing. Worse yet, I see all this stuff for another author. I case the place and see a set up with his books on display. So, I approach the associates and tell them that I'm there for my Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6134899.post-1129211239100410252005-10-13T09:18:00.000-04:002005-10-13T09:47:19.176-04:00Popping in for a brief moment. I'm still working on my edits for First Friday and I might possibly be able to finish up today. Spent all day working on it yesterday. Can't tell you how many hours because the day is a blur. All I can tell you is that I was in my pajamas all day and I listened to the television as the Cardinals won the first game of the Championship series (you know I had to Cherlyn Michaelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17217892263197068733noreply@blogger.com8