Just Saying Hello and Happy Halloween!

 

Hi there! Happy Halloween! Just a newsy note from Chris. I worked really hard today...I didn't dress up this year...sorry to disappoint. Hope you're feeling happy and loved! I'm rather sleepy but can't sleep, kinda thing, for whatever reason. Restless on the inside, I'd say. I've been struggling with a lot of anxiety for a while now, due to a lot of change and life circumstances, but I sure am learning a lot each and every day. And that's how I'm taking things -- one day at a time. I'm rather transparent about all of this in my writings and in person, and it definitely scares people sometimes. Over the years, I've dialed it down...but I tend to be pretty open. Just who I am, I suppose. And I'm learning to love that little girl (me) slowly but surely. 

The past two days, I've done a better job. Earlier in the week, blah, not great. But it's about progress, right? XO. Hope you're gentle with yourself. I'm telling myself that right in this moment. And as I'm writing it, I have a little tear creeping in my eye. <3

I suppose it's a lifelong process for all.

Much of this learning rolled out of me in my fifth book, nonfiction, RECOVER WILDLY:  DAILY SPIRITUAL ESSAYS FOR SURVIVORS. For those reading, thanks for the support! It turned out awesome, and I'm extremely pleased with each and every page. Don't forget to leave a review! <3 Pass it on. Word of mouth is my friend.

I also have four novels, all of which are amazing and unique. My style is intense, for sure, and they all have a mystery element. I am a master at dialogue, and I am a master at many things having to do with writing, it's true. These books are incredible. Take a chance. I stand behind each and every one with my whole heart.

Most folks are surprised by my fiction, particularly the spot-on male characters, ha. I have a lot of characters running around in my tricky brain.

I've begun some work on a new book. It's fiction. :) Rad.

Just saying hello and checking in. Sending love. And remember...each moment is an opportunity. I can even rewrite the story of my past. I'm writing this to you, but I'm reminding myself as well. That's how it works. We're in this together!

Hope you have a beautiful evening. Maybe I'll see you out and about.

Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell

P.S. FIVE published books by C.A. MacConnell on Amazon NOW! 

P.P.S. Need writing help? M.A. English/Creative Writing, Hollins University. Over 30 years of experience in all genres. You name it; I can do it. PHOTOS: custom, signed prints. Or prints on metal or canvas, ready to hang. Email:  right here. 

AUTHOR PAGE

True News

Hello there. I just wrote this. It came to me from a daydream. Hope you enjoy the poem. XO, Love to you, C.A. MacConnell.

True News

Raindrops on my face. Earlier, tears, but no one
knows. Minus the red cheek, at four o'clock,
I am beginning again. And now, my countenance
returns -- the calm cards and poker. Beside me,
you wear an oversized slicker. With a sudden force,
you unsnap, opening it wide, scooping me close.
Fiercely, firmly, you envelop me with your right arm,
tucking me tight against your middle and suddenly,
inside the jacket, we are half-wet, yellow, and safe.
Together, we are melting into the weather, a living
impression painted into the gray, uncertain quiet.
Both humans and birds are hidden, a wicked sign. 
At any moment, the sky could break. Crouching
inside their homes, millions live solely through past
and future like keen, salivating reporters. True news
rests beyond the fear and the noise, within the moment,
within the honest, primal reach, the instant celebration
of pain and joy and life and breath. True news rests
within the thunder crack. Because when the threat
comes, we are laughing, muddy and disgusting,
nibbling on cashews.

C.A. MacConnell

Thank you for supporting my books! Don't forget to leave a review! <3

P.S. FIVE published books by C.A. MacConnell on Amazon NOW! 

P.P.S. Need writing help? M.A. English/Creative Writing, Hollins University. Over 30 years of experience in all genres. You name it; I can do it. PHOTOS: custom, signed prints. Or prints on metal or canvas, ready to hang. Email:  right here. 

AUTHOR PAGE

Sky 11

 

Good morning. Just a simple sky shot for ya. I have a bunch. It's rather cliche to take sky shots, I suppose, ha, but I try to make them interesting...I like this one. It'd make a nice poster, I think. Just saying. Hope you are well and happy this morning. Hope you get a chance to check out my new book, RECOVER WILDLY:  DAILY SPIRITUAL ESSAYS FOR SURVIVORS, as well as my four novels! Don't forget to leave a review. Awesome. XO.

Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell

P.S. FIVE published books by C.A. MacConnell on Amazon NOW! 

P.P.S. Need writing help? M.A. English/Creative Writing, Hollins University. Over 30 years of experience in all genres. You name it; I can do it. PHOTOS: custom, signed prints. Or prints on metal or canvas, ready to hang. Email:  right here. 

AUTHOR PAGE

Lost Gloves 70 & 71

 

Strange, I came across this on a hot day. Ha. Here they are. Hope you like the shot. XO, C.A. MacConnell

P.S. FIVE published books by C.A. MacConnell on Amazon NOW! 

P.P.S. Need writing help? M.A. English/Creative Writing, Hollins University. Over 30 years of experience in all genres. You name it; I can do it. PHOTOS: custom, signed prints. Or prints on metal or canvas, ready to hang. Email:  right here. 

AUTHOR PAGE

We Are Mountains

Hope you like the photo. It may seem like a simple sky shot, but it's deep if you keep looking. :)XO

Hello, I am glad you're here. Thank you for supporting my books. They've all been selling lately, and I'm thrilled. The other day, I was at a gathering, and I looked over, and someone was holding a copy of THE HOUSE OF ANCHOR. So amazing for an author to witness. I just sat there and grinned. One time, I was working at a coffee shop, and there was a Book Club discussing my book, GRIFFIN FARM. That was hilarious. I put my two cents in here and there, but I didn't tell them who I was. Like I said, hilarious.

I love them all, but THE HOUSE OF ANCHOR was my favorite one to write and man, there was a ton of research involved. Honestly, I did vast amounts of research for all of my work. But THE HOUSE OF ANCHOR was the most complicated. I definitely broke some rules. Maybe I'll come up with an ultra-complicated Book Six. I have a beginning, about 20 pages. But then, I came up with another idea and right now, it's an ultra-mess in my head. But it usually starts that way, ha. But THE HOUSE OF ANCHOR is one of a kind. I could never touch that beast.

I was sitting here thinking about my favorite characters. Here's what comes to mind. Zion in THE HOLE, Johnboy in THE HOUSE OF ANCHOR, Buddy and Big Mike in GRIFFIN FARM, and Casper in STRANGE SKIN. I also really like Lucas in THE HOLE, as well as his coworker, Reynolds. I tend to like writing the male parts.

I just woke up from a nap. I'm grateful for the ability to get some rest lately, especially after finishing my fifth book, RECOVER WILDLY, and the tumultuous and wonderful adventure that poured out of me while putting it out there. It's a whole other shebang to release nonfiction! Very emotional and unique, to put it mildly. People are loving it. Awesome.

And today, I treated myself...got a full-service car wash and such. :) What can I say...I come from a car family, and I'm still obsessed with my car, even at this age. A clean car means a clean soul in my family.

I was cracking up with a lot of folks in the stores today, making little jokes and such all morning long. Those are my favorite days. I love cutting it up with folks. Although, I file all of the dialogue away in my brain, of which they're not aware. It comes in handy later when I'm working on a novel...it comes flying outta me as if from nowhere. A curse and a gift, b/c you wouldn't know it by looking at my face, but my mind is always at work, filing away words. I'm grateful for the gift now, actually. But it doesn't come in handy in the real world sometimes, just saying. It's my little secret. Not so secret since I'm telling you.

Because of this "love of words" gift, shall we say, I have difficulty with the Internet and group texts particularly.  But over the years, I've learned to channel that as well. Some days better than others. But thank you, God, for my ridiculous brain. 

I hope that you are well and happy. I've been writing a lot of songs on piano, and they're rad. I sing like a fucking wild woman. It's raw and wild and fierce. I'm at my best when I'm angry. Truth. Kinda like angry sex, hells yeah. I'm in. Well, to an extent. I'm 51 and certainly, I'm not anywhere near flexible anymore, haha. I'd give it my best shot. Cracking up, writing to you.

Lately, I've been rolling with my emotions freely. I'm doing a lot of healing. I'm also looking forward. And I'm really asking the Universe what it wants me to do. I'm willing to be a channel, so to speak. I'm doing a lot of writing on fear as well, so that I can be clearer on my path, without my fear getting in the way. Baby steps.

Have a great evening. We are mountains. We are beautiful. Imperfection at its finest. XO. Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell

Crossroads

Good evening. I came upon a crossroads. An opportunity popped up that had to do with my former life. I wrestled with the decision...talked with others, made the lists, and on and on, like people do. But here's what I've noticed about myself:  my first gut reaction was no. And eventually, my final decision was no. It didn't change. It usually doesn't change for me. Why I spend so much time rolling it around, when I can trust my heart and my gut in the first place, I'm not sure. 

I guess I'm a human being trying to navigate this planet like everyone else.

I suppose it gets tricky when I think about, Hey, should I go against my gut? Is my gut wrong? Should I change and make a leap that's against everything I feel? Sometimes, I definitely think this can be a good idea in order to grow. In the recent past, I've done this a lot regarding relationships. In this situation, it didn't feel applicable at the time, considering all of the factors. 

Maybe I'm wrong, who knows. Today I find myself second-guessing my decision, beating myself up, and the like. I usually do that as well. I suppose I'll allow myself some time to process. It's OK. I'm frustrated, but I guess I can see it as an opportunity to narrow down what it is I really want to do. This particular situation wasn't it, obviously.

See, I want to do what makes my heart sing. And I can feel that when it happens, for sure. :) XO.

Until then, I guess I'll drive around and do deliveries and sing songs and dance in the aisles and write to you. Hey, wait a minute...I'm already doing what makes my heart sing. Who cares what people think of my "title." If I come across something else that gels with this notion, I'm all in.

Gratitude for recognizing this fact tonight. Always healing. Perhaps you are too. Maybe you're already doing what makes your heart sing, and you don't even realize it. Maybe we're in this together.

Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell

P.S. FIVE published books by C.A. MacConnell on Amazon NOW! 

P.P.S. Need writing help? M.A. English/Creative Writing, Hollins University. Over 30 years of experience in all genres. You name it; I can do it. PHOTOS: custom, signed prints. Or prints on metal or canvas, ready to hang. Email:  right here. 

AUTHOR PAGE