Resolution Review 2019

Hello,

Another year down, another decade coming to a close.

I made a lot of resolutions last year and edited them mid-year.

So lets see how I did:

Writing (2/4)

1. Write a Monthly Serial Story (Success)

For the sixth year in a row I’ve written a serial story by the seat of my pants. It’s fun and I’m doing it again. Get your vote in for what will win for 2020.

Go Read Seren Plentyn and the Secret of Hokulua Station

2. Write the Bookend Material for the Short Story Collection (Success)

I wrote the material and added it to the short stories and submitted it to my publisher. I should hear in the new year.

3. Finish Paragenesis (Fail)

I’ve managed to get part way into chapter 11. Hopefully I’ll finish this one soon.

4. Get to the 2/3 mark on Mystery of the Dancing Lights (Fail)

I have to finish this one by mid-year next year. I want to submit it to my publisher by September for hopefully a release in 2022.

JenEric Designs and Coffee (1/2)

5. Continue to ensure there’s content 5 days a week on JenEric Designs (Fail)

We broke our 6 year streak with a missed post in February. The post was set for the right day but didn’t actually post and we didn’t notice until the next day; so it’s a fail.

6. Test, Design, and Produce 2 new coffee flavours (Success)

We debuted Mighty ThOrange, In Another Castle, and Unbirthday Cake this year. So I went a little overboard.

You can buy them and other JenEric Coffee here!

Editing and Marketing (2.5/4)

7. Edit and send Dinosaur Road Trip to a willing beta reader (Fail)

Yeah, I really need to do this, but I hate editing, I never plan on submitting this, and the story makes me sad and miss my mom.

8. Submit Everdome for blurbs (Success)

I gave my publisher all the information and they sent everything out. I got a really nice blurb from John Hass and a nice refusal from Seanan Mcguire.

9. Playtest the higher levels of FADDS (Success)

We’ve playtested 11-15 and so far it’s going splendidly.

10. Figure out how to market and sell CoasteRPG (Success/Fail)

I’ve changed the name to Oneshot – The Simplest RPG and I’m thinking making erasable character sheets with the rules on them. So I’ll say this is a half/half.

Personal (3.5/4)

11. Read 20 books (Success)

I barely made this goal. It’s a lot harder to read with kids in the house and no bus ride but I made it.

12. Don’t Burnout (Success)

I came very close twice. I recognized the signs and made sure to rearrange things. It wasn’t easy and I’m still doing more than I probably should but overall good.

13. Be More Patient (Success/Fail)

Potty training, allergies, and two colds meant I didn’t have as much patience as I should have. But I’m trying and improving.

14. Play Some Video games with Dragon (Success)

I played some mobile games and also played some Disney Infinity with her. She’s having a hard time with controls, but overall it’s fun.


So the breakdown is 9/14 which is 64%. I think that’s pretty darned great. Hopefully I’ll do as well or better next year.

How did you do on your resolutions?

Éric

Blush: Reach Out

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you.

Today, I would like to share a few resources for mental health and crisis assistance. While that may seem like a depressing conversation for such a joyful holiday, I want to acknowledge that there are people who are struggling, and might be having a tougher time than usual because of it being a holiday.

All resources are geared towards Ottawa and Canada. If you need help, please don’t hesitate to either google your own city, or reach out to people who can help you.

Ottawa:
Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region (24/7 mental health assistance)
Midwifery Collective of Ottawa (Postpartum depression)
eMental Health (variety of crisis support lines)
Ottawa Public Health (mental health and substance use resource list)

Canada:
Government of Canada (mental health support lines)
Crisis Text Line (24/7 text support)
Canadian Mental Health Association (multiple programs and services)

Please know that you are not alone. There are people who care. Reach out to them.

If you’re enjoying the Blush blogs, consider learning more with Blush: The Card Game from Renaissance Press.

Serial Story 2020 – Part 2

Hello Imaginary Friends,

Last vote was pretty definitive. Let’s see who wins this next round. You have until New Year’s Day.

Serial Story VS Word of the Day

Serial Story 2020 - Serial Story VS Word of the day

  • Point Zero (55%, 6 Votes)
  • Seren Plentyn and the Secret of Hokulua Station (45%, 5 Votes)

Total Voters: 11

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Seren Plentyn and the Secret of Hokulua Station

Space Mystery, YA, Adventure

Hokulua Station is the newest in generational exploration and protection space stations. Brand new and not quite working right.

Seren’s dad is the head or engineering for the new station and in charge of getting all the bugs worked out before the rest of the colonists arrive. That leaves her with plenty of time to explore. Something isn’t quite right though, weird noise, things going missing, and power drains that no one can explain.

Seren and her best friend Jan are going to do their best to figure out what is going on before someone gets hurt.

Point Zero

Disaster, Post Apocalyptic, Super Hero

Every generation has a disaster that is etched into their memories. My grandparents had JFK, my parents had 9/11, and we had first contact.

Short Stories VS Series

Serial Story 2020 - Short Stories VS Series Bracket

  • Sailing the Rubble of Galaxies (55%, 6 Votes)
  • The Tree of Worlds (45%, 5 Votes)

Total Voters: 11

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Sailing the Rubble of Galaxies

Science Fiction, Epic, Space Opera

“Nice of them to design these cells with portholes,” admired former security commander, Nessa Muldune. It seemed like a strange waste of outer hull but she appreciated being able to see the stars.

The Tree of Worlds

Epic Fantasy, Steampunk

The Tree of the Worlds connects all the realms with it’s branches but there is a wyrm burrowing through trying to conquer or destroy. These are the stories of those that resist the Empire of the Wyrm.

Includes: Little DaggerCiamon of ChymarThe Ruby Child, and Battlemage Taika.


Enjoy Voting and thank you for your help,

Éric

Winnie the Pooh exhibit

If you love Winnie the Pooh, you’re going to want to visit Toronto this spring or summer.

From March 7 to August 3, 2020, the Royal Ontario Museum is going to be hosting Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic, with immersive and interactive activities for all ages.

Toronto is the only Canadian city that the exhibit will be visiting, so make your plans to visit now!

Jen has retired from working as a travel agent. Hope you’ve enjoyed Fandom Travel.

One-Shot Party Adventure – The Lost Clause

Don’t forget to vote on what you want to read in 2020’s serial story


Hello Holiday Friends and Gamers,

This is an adventure for One-Shot Party: The Simplest RPG.

Have fun!

Description

The players are toys that wake up in an abandoned Santa’s workshop. It’s up to them to save Santa and the holiday season.

Starting – The shop

The Group starts in an old-fashioned woodworking workshop. There’s paint, tools, wood, and lots of cobwebs.

There’s also a large design table with a fresh pad of paper.

There are two doors. One leads to the outside and the other leads to a small bachelor’s apartment.

Anything they draw on the piece of paper becomes real.

There’s also a large filing cabinet that has letters from every child in the world along with a list.

There are tunnels that lead to all three buildings. Search of 8 to find them.

Bachelors Apartment

Enemies: None

This is a spartan apartment with cot against the wall and a small kitchen. The kitchen has a large pantry cabinet, a counter, and a wood stove. There are some pots and pans in the cabinet. There’s one set of plates and utensils.

Search 4: They find a hidden panel in the wall with a diary. The diary says: “We think we’ve figured it out. The clock is the key.” Followed by either gibberish or code. (Mind 9 to figure out it’s instructions for winding the clocktower.)

Outside

Enemies: Polar Bear

Outside the small building is a land of snow and ice bathed in complete darkness. The only light being the dim reflections of the Aurora on the snow.

There are two other buildings. A large Clocktower, and a Stable. There’s also a lake.

When the characters leave a building there’s a chance they are seen by a hungry polar bear. Unless they are actively sneaking, flip a coin to decide.

Stables

Enemies: Feral Reindeer

These stables are both well kept and well built. There are eight pens with 7 reindeer. They are well fed, clean, and very friendly. There’s also a large red sled that seems equally as well taken care of.

The empty pen shows signs of a struggle. Scratch marks and hoof prints.

The feral reindeer is hiding in a dark corner takes a flip of 5 to see them.

If they don’t see them, the reindeer attacks as they leave.

Frozen Lake

Enemies: The Kraken

The frozen lake has one lonely but devoted gardian. The Kraken is there to protect the pole and stop the toys from escaping.

It is quite gentle with them but firm.

Clocktower

Enemies: None

The clocktower radiates power. It has an ornate brass door with clocks and time imagery carved into it. The words, “You must stop to go” are carved in wood over the door.

The clock face seems to glow from the outside. It chimes every 15 minutes.

Inside there’s just a staircase going up nearly 100 metres or just over 300 feet.

At the top there is a room filled with gears but with a small platform. The platform has a couch and two large levers.

One lever Stops the clock and one will make it go forward or backward. (This actually stops time or moves it.)

Conclusion

Enemies: Anti-Clause

The entire area was built by Saint Nick an ancient wizard. It’s self sustaining. Before he could use it, however, he was attacked by Anti-Clause and his last action was to cast a spell that would animate a group of toys to finish his mission.

Polar Bear Feral Reindeer Kraken Anti-Clause
Health 7 4 5 6
Defence 2 5 5 6
Body 5 2 3 4
Mind 0 0 3 4
Luck 0 3 0 4
Abilities Bite 1 Gore 1 Squeeze 1 Laser Eyes 2

Happy Holidays!

Éric