A Writer Loves Coincidences

Are you afraid of a few black cats today? I've been lucky enough to have two in my life...both named Shadow. As I was born on a Friday that happened to fall on the 13th of an autumn month, decades ago, I enjoy each and every one as my lucky day. It was simply a coincidence that I was born on a Friday the 13th. Other oddities fill my life and I cannot ignore them. 

Our firstborn son was due August 16th but arrived over Labor Day on Sept.1st. Our second son was born on Father's Day. My dear dad passed away on Groundhog Day. My sweet mother recently passed away Labor Day that also happened to be her grandson's birthday. She was buried on September 11th aka 9/11. As New Yorkers, that date means a lot to us. It is also my cousin's birthday, the one who served in Vietnam. Another cousin still celebrates her 4th of July birthday. Our grandmother was born on Easter. 

And last (although there are probably more) Hubby and I were married on a date that we never realized would become a Federal Holiday... Juneteenth!

Do you remember I mentioned recently that I am back to writing? I spent a month writing along others in the Triangle Association of Freelancers aka TAF and my book is now about half completed. Lots more to go, then edits. I have set it mostly in 1867 in the town of Southold, Long Island, New York. I still need to work on a Christmas holiday historical story, and I plan to submit a short story for TAF's Omnibus V, a group fundraiser, which will be published in the fall. I am toying with writing a quick-read short story to submit to a company I recently heard is accepting submissions. A busy time. 

If you are or want to be a writer the best thing to do is start. Maybe you have a small idea or maybe you have tried before. As Yoda said "Do not try...do!" A plan is setting aside some time in your day and then sit down and do it. A pad of paper and a pen, a notebook, or a laptop can take your words and show you what can be. Try it. 

Find all Buy Links HERE

Nancy Lee Badger 💗

Snow. What is YOUR Take on a SNOW BOMB?

We moved to 'The Sunny South' years ago from the White Mountains region of New Hampshire. After attending college, finding work, buying a home, and raising two boys, I remember snow. Lots of snow. Get-the-car-stuck-in-the-driveway snow. Use a 20 foot roof rake to remove a foot of the white stuff so ice edges didn't form or the roof collapsed.

So, after the kids grew into adults and I told my husband we needed to move closer to my parents and sisters, we arrived in Raleigh. Little did we know a 'SNOW BOMB' would stop everyone in their tracks. With the threat of ice and snow (we got mostly ice the first weekend) stores were ransacked of food and Duke Energy were warning us about a possible power outage. Schools were closed before a flake arrived. We stayed indoors for five days because the roads were treacherous. I wish I had a horse.

The next weekend the snow arrived in abundance. We got 5 to 6 inches. Luckily, it was fluffy stuff and the wind blew a lot of it away. It looked pretty until you realized the streets were not plowed. Again, or ever. A snow storm is the perfect reason to grab or download a book and read near the fireplace. 

My office

What was the worst ice or snow storm you have ever survived and where did you live at the time?

Nancy Lee Badger, waiting for spring.

An Author's NEW PLAN

"Nancy, get back to writing." 

Simple as that, you think? Not really. It has been a tough last six months. 'Things' took over my life.

My 95 year old very independent mother got Covid-19 that turned into pneumonia that put her into the hospital, then rehab, then killed her. 

She gave me Covid-19 and I am finally feeling a lot better (and am newly vaccinated...again!) As her oldest child and her executor I am still waiting for the lawyer's bill. Oh yeah...I will have to get her forms to her tax man. With luck, a few dollars might be refunded. 

We got her buried with dad in another state and cleaned out her apartment by donating most of her furniture to Healing-Transitions in Raleigh, NC. I kept her pretty green couch and still need to move some things around to make it look its best. I will think of her as I sit and watch the birds at the feeder.

Back to writing...really. I just started a book, by referring to an outline I started two years ago after a visit to Southold, Long Island, New York. It is in the early stages, but the idea of getting up with something to do that keeps my mind learning and growing is a treat. 

If you are or want to be a writer the best thing to do is start. Maybe you have a small idea or maybe you have tried before. As Yoda said "Do not try...do!" A plan is setting aside some time in your day and then sit down and do it. A pad of paper and a pen, a notebook, or a laptop can take your words and show you what can be. Try it. This is how I was able to write and publish around 50 books (2026 plan: count the books).

 So, have a Happy New Year by sitting down and starting that book, like me!

Nancy Lee Badger

Snow or No Snow?

Many in the world, at least in the Northern hemisphere, are experiencing the beginning of the winter season. Cold temperatures are not welcome.

What about snow? I love the photos of snow and remembering playing in it on Long Island in New York when I was a little girl. Sledding and snowman building with trips to a nearby pond to ice skate was fun. As an adult, walking across campus in New Hampshire in bulky clothing while trying to 'keep pretty' was hard. I did ride a toboggan at night into a very steep gorge with others. Horror! Thank goodness we did not hit any of the trees.

As a young mother, bundling the children simply to get them to the sitter or a food store was a jumble of legs and tears. Once they got a little older, taking them sledding and walks through the woods was fun. Ice skating behind Nana's house on her lake was bitter cold but memorable.

As an older (and wiser?) adult romance writer, I wrote a book about an idea triggered by a season of green...when no snow fell in my new home in Raleigh, North Carolina. What would happen to a small Vermont town and its fire department that relies on income raised during their annual winter festival? The problems this causes; the Manhattan businessman who has lost his way; the female firefighter with the job as her only future...well, check out what happens.

The ebook is ON SALE wherever you download ebooks such as Amazon, NOOK, KOBO, Apple, and more HERE

The audiobook is downloadable HERE at Apple.

Whatever winter brings, remember that a good book, a warm blanket, and a cup of cocoa can make the dreary days pass wonderfully.

Happy Holidays!

Nancy Lee Badger

The Holiday Spirit

 

Americans celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday on November 27th. It commemorates the meal the Pilgrims shared with their new Native American friends on the shores of Plymouth, Massachusetts. After landing there, from England (via the Netherlands) in 1620, and after losing 1/2 their numbers in the first harsh winter, they certainly needed something to celebrate.

Learning to grow corn and finding the less-than-pretty turkeys quite tasty, I am glad that the 50+ who survived kept living and thanking the good Lord. My husband shares his blood with six of those brave surviving Pilgrims, so Thanksgiving means a lot to us.

This is the first family celebration since my mom passed away in September. The group at the table is smaller but the laughter and dreams go on. With the Christmas holiday right around the corner, why not dream a little? Yes, most of my decorations are up and we will work on putting exterior lights out next week. I have no room for our little tree since I still cannot get rid of an extra couch, since I inherited mom's pretty green one, but that's okay. 

What plans are filling your date book? Travel? Sleeping-in? (we are retired so we can do that) I hope to continue writing while reading a new book, here and there. I am almost through the TAF Omnibus IV which includes my story Neighborly Love. It is a modern take on new neighbors and Scottish Highland games in a contemporary setting. 

Reading is a perfectly wonderful way to spend a cold weekend or dark, snowy night. We don't get much snow here in North Carolina, but we do get nasty weather. The camp lanterns are ready along with the gas fireplace. We will enjoy its coziness. Enjoy! And, if you need more book ideas, check out all my titles HERE.

Happy Holidays!

Nancy Lee Badger

November is Speeding By

Veteran's Day has passed and I was thrilled to see how many folks posted NICE things to say about our Veterans. Dozens of restaurants offered free meals too. 

My birthday has also come and gone for another year and America's Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Thursday Nov. 27th will be a day of remembrance and thanks...thanks for another year, but a day to remember our dear mother who passed away on September 1st. Our table will be smaller and the company a bit reserved. We will enjoy a home-cooked meal and thank my husband's Pilgrim ancestors for coming to this new country in 1620.

An upcoming trip to Florida will give us a chance to visit the cemetery to make sure the gravesite is complete and the stone is correct. The Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell is a beautiful site. A few days in the Florida sun might cheer us up a little, too.

The year will end soon and I am hopeful for new and exciting things. I have returned to writing and will do my best to bring stories to life. I am currently editing a story with a historical Scottish Christmas theme that, unfortunately, could not be worked on in order to be released this year. No excuses, but everything went downhill medically and family-wise in July. 

I have tons of books available in ebook and print. Prices are reasonable. Please check them out. You can find all the books and their Buy Links HERE

Thanks for listening, 

Nancy Lee Badger

CHECK OUT MY STORY

 

CHECK OUT MY STORY  

NEIGHBORLY LOVE 

IN THIS FUNDRAISING ANTHOLOGY

just released by the Writing Group

TRIANGLE ASSOCIATION 

of FREELANCERS (aka TAF)

I step out onto my back deck. The leafless trees cannot disguise the monstrosity behind my small cottage. The four-level structure leers down at my property, but I am getting used to it. I bought the cottage for a bargain during the big building’s construction. The former owner knew what was going up.

I’d prepared for this. My bedroom and den have thick, room darkening, navy-blue curtains. Noise is another bother. If I leave windows or my back screen door open for air flow, I hear cars in the parking garage beneath the structure. Worse, car alarms blare at all hours.

As if on cue, an alarm blasts, nearly making me spill coffee on my slacks.

“I am a writer, y’all! Have a heart and keep the noise level down!” Yelling into the wind makes me feel better, but it wouldn’t accomplish much.

The alarm stops.

“About time!” Taking a deep breath, I sit at my deck’s table. As I think about whether or not I should bring my laptop outside, or return to my claustrophobic den, a voice answers.

“Sorry, sir. I must have hit the alarm button instead of the lock. My car be new and this bloody fob be verra’ weird.”

I pause.

The woman with a lovely accent sounds young, but I can’t see her through the windowless walls of the parking garage. Never mind, she worked her magic and quiet has resumed.

Sipping my coffee, I think about my new book. The decision to write a Scottish historical novel came out of left field. Mom reminded me last month of our Scottish ancestry, although our ancestors emigrated centuries earlier. I feel American, not Scottish. However, a visceral need to write a novel with a Scottish theme hit me one night, so here I sit wondering how to approach it.

Watching movies like Braveheart and episodes of Outlander isn’t enough. My niece made me sit through the animated Brave movie. They all gave me a sense of Highland life, but not enough to write an outline.

“Ye be looking deep in thought, but I again wish to apologize for the rude noise. Will ye forgive me?”

I choke on my coffee.

 Get your copy today and check out the stories, both fiction and non-fiction, as well as poetry, from over 30 members as they raise funds to keep the organization striving to help its members achieve their writing goals. TAF is 501(c)(3) nonprofit group of professional freelance writers primarily based in the Triangle region of North Carolina.

Print Versions

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and many other Buy Links HERE

Happy reading!

Nancy Lee Badger