Toni

Whispers from the Writing Nook

This week went a little sideways but I got several episodes back from my alpha reader and now I need to get those edits done. Then I can get those chapters scheduled for everyone.

I keep going back and forth on the solstice stuff, but I think I’m almost done with it. This week, I’ll be ...

Episode One Hundred and Forty-Two: A friendly visit for information

The knock on the door vibrated through the entire shop, though it took a second for me to realize what it was. Then, I took off across the living room and down the steps to reach the front door as quickly as possible.

I’d forgotten about the lunch delivery.

I skidded to a hal...

Episode One Hundred and Forty-One: Choices

“Sable,” whispered the Cat. “You can’t just do something like that.”

I ignored him and nodded at the father.

“They are meant to have it,” I said. This time, my voice came out stronger, making it clear I wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

Both boys star...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

I have to keep telling myself that you don’t mind if the solestice is a couple episodes longer than I thought it would be. Everytime I think well, it will be one more episode that doesn’t happen.

So… we’ll see what all of you think when you get there. Hopefully, you’ll enjo...

Episode One Hundred and Forty: Gifts

The Cat padded closer to the bowl, then stuck his nose in. It barely touched the herbs before everything glowed a bright white and the humming climbed higher.

I shook my head to try and clear the sound away.

Then it suddenly stopped.

The light vanished as well, leaving th...

Episode One Hundred and Thirty-Nine: Dreams, Stones and Magic

My coffee this morning was strong, but strange dreams had haunted me all night, and I needed it. Weird flashes of people I knew, then sudden jumps to others. Kind of like my mind was traveling along a web connecting people, but I didn’t understand the connections. My old friend from coll...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

Indigo is excited. Book 1 is off to the final editor as of last week. 

I made substantial progress on getting through those final chapters. Once the editor gets it back to me, which can take up to 6 weeks, I need to go through those corrections. Then the book goes to formatting,...

Episode One Hundred and Thirty-Eight: Consequences

A blast of warmth from the floor made me relax. Betty had moved that other box, so it must not have anything to be too worried about. The next box contained bundles of dried herbs and flowers, each tied with twine and labeled with various properties.

“That’...

Episode One Hundred and Thirty-Seven: Trust Me

“The jars, from being spotted.” The Cat’s paws rested on the edge of the box as he studied each of the jars. “I’ve been searching for these for ages.”

“They don’t look that impressive to me,” I said, as I reached toward the box to lift one out.

“Don’t!”<...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

I am so close.

Book 1 is almost ready to go to a final editor. I just wrapped up chapter 54 of 84. One more solid day working on it, and I’ll be able to send it off on its wings. 

Each little step that brings this book close to a physical form brings me so much excitemen...

Episode One Hundred and Thirty-Six: Gifts and Reminders of Family

Episode One Hundred and Thirty-Six: Gifts and Reminders of Family

Something about Molly’s father drew my attention more than normal, especially with how tired he was. His answer about travel felt wrong, but I couldn’t say why. It didn’t take long before they both head...

Episode One Hundred and Thirty-Five: Writer's Block

Nothing in the shop leaped out at me, and the writer snapped the book closed sliding it back onto the shelf with a loud sigh.

“Is there anything you’re looking for in particular?” I asked, closing my own book and notebook before sliding them under the counter. I didn’t need q...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

I’m back from Norwescon. Tired, ready to sleep in my own cozy blankets and eat some home-cooked food - including bacon.

Four whole days of talking with other authors, readers, and people in general have worn me out, but in a good way. I have ideas, and I have creative ideas. I'm no...

Episode One Hundred and Thirty-Four: Stone Cold Magic

Caffeine called my name as I finished up breakfast and headed to the espresso machine to make something tasty. Maple lingered in the air, and I went with a maple latte, one for each of us, even though the Cat’s fit in the teacup.

I sipped slowly on the hot beverage as I studied the...

Episode One Hundred and Thirty-Three: Bacon makes things Better

I didn’t want to get up. Only a couple more days until, hopefully, we’d be closed for two days around the solstice. Plus, Indigo would be back.

But today, my comfortable bed kept me locked under my heavy blanket, even as the sun streamed in from above.

Something leaped onto...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

This week started off amazing with getting a ton of words in for Meow Volume Two. I absolutely love the direction this book is going and wrote seven episodes. The eighth is almost done, but I need a better episode ending.

A sore throat has caught me which really sucks given I only ha...

Episode One Hundred and Thirty-Two: Small Changes

Fred and the other troll left after another hour, and other foot traffic in the shop died down. Not much later, the shop was empty and I took my chance. “Hey Betty, can you lock the door?”

The click removed the stress from my shoulders and I turned to the Cat, who hadn’t really...

Episode One Hundred and Thirty-One: Artists Way

The Elven woman rolled her eyes. “My parents want me to, but I don’t really care.”

Fred sat down near her, but not in her space. He pulled out a textbook, but kept glancing in her direction. “I mean, have the healers figured out what’s wrong?”

“No. My grandmother ...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

On Friday of this week, I worked on Meow, and it was magical. While I didn’t get a ton of episodes done, I wrote three, and they are amazing. I sunk into the flow and knew exactly what I was going to write this week. I can’t wait for everyone to get to this part!

April is a crazy...

Episode One Hundred and Thirty:  Unnoticed Changes

“So, what’s on the schedule today?” I asked the Cat while sipping my mocha, which contained way too much chocolate. The shop appeared in its coffeehouse form. The long wooden table rested near the window, and bookshelves lined the far wall. It was one of my favorite kinds of days. 2025-04-04 14:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post

Episode One Hundred and Twenty-Nine: Unseen leaves

“What did the imps buy, anyway?” I asked while studying the leaves.

The bright green oak leaves glowed in magic, and not just the outline that normally let me know something needed to happen with them. The green color didn’t match what I knew of oak trees. Even in the spring, w...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

Thank you for your patience with Patreon. I am definitely still learning, and I swear every week, a new thing pops up. This week, I learned it defaults posts to 9 PDT, not 7 which I’m used to. But I figured it out(with the help of some lovely readers), and next week should...

Episode One Hundred and Twenty-Seven: Routine is Key

Snores from the Cat woke me up at my normal time. He lay next to my pillow. A black blob highlighted by my bright white sheets in the morning light. The Cat normally didn’t sleep in my room, but with Indigo gone, I appreciated it.

It made me smile as I stretched, careful not to wake him. ...

Episode One Hundred and Twenty-Six: Unexpected Lesson

To my surprise, after lunch the bell on the front door rang as I searched for gifts for the dragons from me. Professor Eiva crept in, her nose twitching as if she was searching for something.

“It’s just us,” I said with a smile. “Indigo is off on an adventure with Lady Twilig...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

So many good things are happening and it's hard to keep everything on track. 

Three episodes written this week - Check!

Three episodes edited this week - vanishes into thin air

Editing is my downfall and it’s something I know. I keep reminding my...

Episode One Hundred and Twenty-Eight: Tricks are for… Imps

“That’s what you think,” said the Cat, finishing his coffee. Then, in a softer voice, “Can you hide my teacup?”

“Of course,” I placed it under the counter, but it suddenly sank into the wooden shelf. Safe and sound.

“So, about these imps… what should I be awar...

Episode One Hundred and Twenty-Five: Nymphs and Books

“You can completely ignore me,” I said, trying to save the small green woman’s mood. “I’m just here if you want to buy anything.”

She blinked twice, then nodded. “Okay. I’ve just never seen anyone like you before.” 

“Same, actually, but if you like book...

Whispers from the Writing Nook

Volume One is done - that blows my mind more than most can understand. This cozy little tale all started from walking in the woods with my partner and discussing magical cats. From there things spiraled as I let my brain wander in various directions.

Now there are 115,000 words in the first...

Episode One Hundred and Twenty-Four: Mediation

Was it sad that the first thing I thought about was that we only had five days until the Solstice, and Indigo wasn’t back yet? Not to mention, the professor hadn’t been back yet. At least I had the distraction of writing in my journal about my magic, and forcing myself to practice medi...

Meow: Magical Emporium of Wares - Vol 1

Episode One

The job ad seemed normal en