“is that Friday, Lucy?”
“By golly, it is Little One.”
Once again Friday has arrived. It seems like this week it took its sweet old time. I can’t put my finger on it, but it sure felt like a long week.
We got the Christmas tree up along with some other decorations. It is always nice to have the holiday come around again. I didn’t think my inbox would survive black Friday and Cyber Monday but it certainly did. Heard on the news that this was the biggest retail and online sales figures made to date. I have to believe people are feeling good about buying and giving gifts.
I’m still plugging away at my WIP. Almost halfway through the latest round. It looks like I will be calling for beta readers after January 1st and will then allow until February 15th for comments. I always hate to rush beta readers. After the beta read comes the professional edit. I have made up my mind that this book will be launched in the spring. Probably in April or May.
Today’s JohnKu talks about the holidays and the spirit of the time. I hope you have an enjoyable weekend.
Holidays by John W. Howell © 2109
No matter the way,
We celebrate holidays . . .
The spirit’s the same.
Fiction Favorites 
Feels like the shopping days were months ago. This week just inched along, which was odd. Maybe there was too much happening at once.
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I couldn’t put my finger on it but your reason sounds good. Thanks, Charles.
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Time can be so elusive, can’t it? Since I’ve been on the road so much, I never know what day it is. Congrats on your WIP. I can’t wait to read it!
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Thank you, Gwen. Yes it must be tough to figure out the time given your jet set profile lately. Hope your weekend gives you an opportunity to rest and catch up. (or the world catch up to you.)
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With all these gales and torrential rain, this week has felt like an eternity. Our one-day severe weather warning got extended to three days as of yesterday, ugh. Congrats on the WIP, John. Have a great weekend 🙂
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Sorry about the weather. I wish we could get some of your rain. Have a great weekend as well, Harmony.
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Congratulations on your WIP, John. My book is due in a few weeks. Remind me not to have a deadline around the holidays. 🙂 Happy Friday!
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That would be wise but not always practical. Seems deadlines and holidays go together.
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Congratulations on the progress of your WIP, John. Have a great weekend. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you, Suzanne.
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So true, dear John! Good luck with you new bestseller. Twiggy looks concerned if it is Friday. 🙂 During holiday season Lucy & Twiggy are pretty Christmas guardians. 🙂
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Thank you Maria. 🎅🏻
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Good news on your WIP, Boss.
As for the holidays, it has been a very merry season for retailers alright. So much so that Santa plans on using all the money he’s gonna save this year to go on a month long European vacation.
Happy Friday
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Old Santa deserves the vacation. 🎅🏻
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He really does. He’s been doing this for a very long time. The retailers had his back this season.
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That’s a good sentiment, John. I’m glad your week has gone well. Enjoy the weekend.
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Thank you, Dan. I hope you enjoy your weekend as well. 😁
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I love your thoughts on the spirit. I agree! I am always here as a beta if you need me.
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I’m going to count on you. Pamela. I have you down.
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Lovely haiku, John. It reminded me that ‘holiday’ originally was rooted in ‘holy day’ — a time set aside both for religious observance and as an exemption from work and other obligations. When I found this in the Online Etymology Dictionary, I just laughed: “Happy holidays is from mid-19c., in British English, with reference to summer vacation from school. As a Christmastime greeting, by 1937, American English, in Camel cigarette ads.” The more I think about that, the funnier it gets. Happy weekend!
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I think we should coin a new one. “Happy Camel Day.” It would get a bunch of puzzled looks. Thank you for the background on “holiday.”
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I can’t tell you how much I am counting on you and your beta readers to come up with a sure best seller!!
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Well let’s hope we all do our jobs. Thanks, GP. (I could use a best seller.)
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I particularly like the Johnku, an important reminder!
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Thank you, Liz. 😀
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Authoring is a long game. A springtime release sounds perfect. I should try to do that myself. Congratulations on your progress.
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I have a tough time hurrying through this one for some reason. I decided not to try and force it. After all. Where am I going that I need to rush to publication?
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I am a bit slower on the uptake, but you’re absolutely right. It was had for me to hold back Viral Blues and wait for Halloween. It was the better plan though.
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It all works out.
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I guess that means people don’t want to have to deal with the stores, as well. It becomes such a zoo, doesn’t it?
Glad to hear your WIP is clipping along!
Have a fabulous Friday, John. Seems mine will be at home recuperating instead of serving drinks to a bunch of lawyers at their Christmas party…
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I’m sure they will miss you. Good to hear you are staying home.
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Absolutely. I don’t think I’d manage the whole shift… and it would just make me all the weaker…
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Yup.
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This was one of those weeks that flew by for me, and I still have so much to do. Happy Friday, John!
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Thank you, Teri.
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I’m tickled at your progress on the WIP, John (and it sounds like a workable schedule). ‘Tis hard to believe Thanksgiving was just two weeks ago! I feel we’re all on a roller coaster and somebody keeps turning up the speed!
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Hahaha. Good way to put it, Debbie. 😁
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You Americans have evidently been doing some serious shopping, John. Now the threat of Corbyn has been lifted maybe us Brits will be inclined to do the same. Have a good weekend.
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Yes. It is all about positive attitude when it comes to spending money.
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It seemed like a long week to me too, John. I don’t know why except every day I had to be multiple places and always in a rush. I saw lots of car wrecks this week – just a side observation. Everyone is in a hurry. But, as you say, no matter how you celebrate the holidays, the spirit is the same!
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Maybe the rushing around makes life seem longer cause it is so painful. Thanks, Jan
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I enjoyed your post, John. We have black Friday here in South AFrica now and I avoid going out at all costs. It is a mad house. I am glad to know you are getting on so well with your new book.
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Yes I avoid our black Friday as well. 😀
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It did feel long this week as I played catch up. I get most of the shopping done early. Love the haiku:) Happy Friday the 13th.
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Thanks, Denise. Happy lucky day to you.
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Excellent JohnKu! HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL IN THE HOWELL FAMILY!
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Thank you, Billy Ray. Happy Holidays to The Chitwoods.
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Great poem, John. I agree. Happy Holidays/Writing! 😀 xo
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Thank you, Vashti. And to you as well.
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I love the thought in your JohnKu. And now, if only I could summon up some small bit of holiday spirit or joy … there seems to be something interfering this year … gee, I wonder what it could be. Have a great what’s-left-of-the-weekend!
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You should find joy no matter what. You owe that to yourself.
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I’m trying … sigh.
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Try harder. 😁
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Enjoyed the poem, John. All the best with the new book!
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Thank you, Mark.
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I love your JohnKu.
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Thank you. 😊
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You’re welcome. 🙂
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