PRICKLE FORREST CHRONICLES
By Chrissy Hartmann
December 2021

It’s that time of the year again. When the door’s opened, cold rushes in. Christmas Gifts purchased. Sunlight fades to a sparkling dust of diamonds across the sky. Twinkle lights glow red and green. Carols sung. And the snow’s settled in for the long haul.
What? Wait! No snow?
Oh sure maybe a flake or two, but nothing rooted to the ground yet. Heck, the ground’s probably not even frozen. Hey Mother Nature! Put that broom away and call Jack Frost and Frosty. They are missing in action. Snow’s needed now. Right now. No one wants the stuff showing up in April! So bring it on, but slowly, please. Don’t go hog-wild with any blizzards. Just a Little bit. Maybe an inch or two. You know, enough to call off school once or twice. Enough to tackle the stacks of books by the fireplace that needs read with a good hot cup of coffee. Plus, don’t forget about writing. And yes, these are only a few good reasons to cozy up next to the fire… especially with lots of hot-hot coffee.
So let the flakes fly. Remember that ground hog calls how much longer winter will last and with no snow now, it doesn’t look good for spring. Plus, Frosty needs a little help.
So let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
Happy Holidays!

THE TOP FIVE
1. Holiday cheer. Hug someone. Hug someone now!
2. Christmas Trees and snowmen. Just love them!
3. Christmas Hope. Look at Christmas 1776.
4. Silver. Silver. Silver! And yes gold too!
5. Christmas cookies. Yummy!

WIP IT… WIP IT GOOD…
Okay, finally got back to working on book 2 of the Whiskey Salvation series. Yay! And about time too!
Can authors forget their writing style? Hmm?
But needless to say, RESCUING WHISKEY’S SALVATION is now posted to Amazon in kindle and paperback, Google playbooks, Apple, and Barnes and noble as digital and maybe paperback too, and don’t forget about Nook. Woohoo! Next series will consider Draft 2 digital also. Love it!
The Muses caught me on a high note after all the notifications of publishing and did convince this author an in-between book should be published. So book 1.5 hopefully to arrive this spring. Need to write four chapters and a few minor scenes. Oh Boy! Working on that now. Check the website out for more details or follow the social media links below.

QUERYING…
This will be the last time you see this category. Not planning to query any novels, but possibly the short stories. But, if that happens, will post a special Chronicle announcing its progress. Did come up with two more story ideas for the short story book. That might give the book twenty-two or twenty-three short stories. About 40+K words. There will be two stories in it that have one writing contests. Speaking of contests, the chronicle will be changing somewhat in 2022 and a contest will be added periodically to the chronicle, but only subscribers to the Prickle Forrest Chronicles newsletter will be able to participate. So sign up at http://www.chrissyhartmann.com/contact

THE CRAFT
This month’s writing tip…
If you self-publish, find others in your genre who have done it and ask them questions about it. Will save you time so you need not dig through all kinds of files on the internet about it. Decide if you want to be your own publisher or go as sole proprietor or as an LLC. Then gather all tax info for either way. Get your ISBN in order and filled out. Have your book cover ready for digital and paperback formats. Get your finances in order. And make sure you read up on what type of files are needed for the book cover and the book contents. PDF? Docx? Another format? And figure out a marketing plan. Books don’t always sell themselves. Get a review for it too. Those help lots.

THE HOLIDAYS:
First celebrated Winnie’s 12th birthday on the 6th. She loved all the treats she got. Some gourmet some not so much. But she loved them. Yummy! Although one can tell by her reaction as you go out the door, she’s still not thrilled that she’s retired. Breaks the heart to have to leave her behind. She’s definitely missed when going out. But for her safety, the time had come and this way she’ll be around a lot longer.
Christmas blew in too quickly. Not much time to prepare. Will remember next time not to launch a book in November without being prepared first. Did manage to get the shopping done. And okay, maybe two days before and spent wrapping gifts on the 23rd and 24th, but smiled doing it. Love to wrap gifts in newspaper. Don’t like wrapping paper anymore. If you got the funny papers AKA Sunday comic section, it’s fun for the kids too. Big bows are a plus to. Although managed to forget those this year. But luckily the guys didn’t mind. Now Punkin, that’s a different story. Will admit though, don’t think she like the new Christmas tree. The lights built into it made it hum. Would be nice if it played a Christmas song when they were turned on. Only bad thing about Christmas this year, no snow. Bummer! Not usual for Ohio. Usually we have at least a few inches on the ground by now. None this holiday. Even Boxing Day a disappointment. Rain. Looking forward to New Year’s Eve. Maybe snow then, Hmm? Might host a party this New Year’s Eve. Will update in 2022.

THE BOOKSHELF:
1. Catch the Unicorn: Demystifying Book Marketing for Fiction Authors by Denis Caron
2. Jingle All the Way by Debbie Macomber
3. How to Write Short Kindle Books Romance (Book 1) by Nina Harrington 4. A Kiss in the Snow by Susan Mallery
5. The Christmas Wedding Guest by Susan Mallery

SEASONAL FAVORITES:
SEASON: Winter. Brrr!
SPORTS: Still football. But beginning to wonder why. Browns? OSU? Come on guys!
COLOR: Black and Dark Brown. Thinking of leather, right?
CAUSE: The Seeing Eye Ruff! Ruff!
SONG: Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden The louder the better! FOOD: Salmon with sweet potatoes. Yummy!
HOT DRINK: Apple cider with Minglewood cinnamon whiskey. Wow! FLOWER: Roses…preferably fire and ice roses. Beautiful!

DID YOU KNOW…
Dexcom G6 is a fabulous continuous glucose monitor. No more finger pricks. This is almost like having the pancreas working on its own again. Provides a lot of freedom. One quick look at the iPhone app to see the blood sugar and you’re good to go. And if you want to dress your CGM up why not try an overlay patch from Expression Med?
Lots of great designs. Puppy paws, flowers, flags, shamrocks, etc. Check them out with the link below and get $5 off your firsts order. Hopefully you’ll love them too.
**Dexcom G6 is upgrading soon… more info to come.

PRICKLERS OF THE MONTH…
* The Resident. Bring back 45.
* Virus variants. IF they are real.
* Mandates. Remember only bodies of legislature can make laws. Mandates are not laws.
* No snow.
* Inflation. Shortages. Fear tactics. Crimes against humanity.

THEY SAID…
This month’s quote is by
George Washington – December 25, 1776

Victory or death

HOMETOWN UPDATE…
* Maynard’s and Meir coming soon.
* WCS going back to masks until the end of the year. Seriously? * Utilities everywhere have increased.
* Hospitals if full, only because sections closed down because they let go of unjabbed healthcare workers. And if full, it’s the jabbed who are filling them.
* Clay Clark coming to Canton in February.

INQUISITIVE MINDS…
The Muses want to know… Do you prefer…
Real Christmas trees or fake ones?

Please leave your comment below. Thanks!

GOOSING OFF…
Goosie & Gander
Our geese friends celebrated Winnie’s birthday, but when they figured out nothing to eat but dog treats they headed for other entertainment. They did however manage to show up to help celebrate Christmas. Maybe a bit much but they were happy to bring some cheer for such a snowless holiday. Even Santa liked their spirit. They say his exact words were “Ho! Ho! Ho! Nice!” Merry Christmas!

FIND ME…
Author website
http://www.ChrissyHartmann.com

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/author/chrissyhartmann

Twitter: Chrissy Hartmann @USAWriter355

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/USAWriter355

Sign up for the Prickle Forrest Chronicles:
http://www.ChrissyHartmann.com/contact

WEBSITES:

Dexcom G6 CGM (Continuous glucose monitor)
https://dexcom.com/g6

Goose Outfits by Terri Fredericks
https://www.facebook.com/gooseoutfitsbyterri

Goose Dresses and Shirts by Kathy and Kasey Krafts
http://www.kathyandkaseykrafts.etsy.com

The Seeing Eye
http://www.theseeingeye.org/

Expression Med $5 off Coupon for patches
http://expressionmed.refr.cc/christinabenchoff

Prickle Forrest Chronicles
Prickle Forrest LLC 31December2021(c)