coffee

Not So Imaginary

by

Hello my Imaginary Friends,

Today will be a quick post. I have finished beta-reading and received Parasomnia from my first Beta-Reader. So I’m anxious to get back to editing. I like this part of editing it’s faster and easier for me. Instead of trying to find the problems, it’s trying to fix them. Way simpler.

Not So Imaginary

Did you know that this blog is under a year old? The two blogs that combined to form JenEric Designs are older. Aspiring Something is just under 7 years old and The Travelling TARDIS is just over 3 and a half years old.

In all that time, I’ve always assumed that I was “Yelling into the void” as it were. I didn’t think, other than family and close friends, that anyone was reading. I was wrong. There was at least one person who’s been following both of us for at least six years and they came to introduce themselves at CON a few weeks back.

The person, whom I’ll call C, was really nice and friendly. It was both exciting and surprising to know that someone has read this blog that I hadn’t met. So thanks for reading and following C!

If you’ve been following I’ve been obsessively researching and roasting my own coffee. I’ve sold at Pop-Expo and at CON. My Test Subjects Friends have said they enjoy it, and I’ve loved it. I’ve sold several flavours and lots of bags.

Again I assumed only friends and family were paying attention. Again I was wrong (It happens a lot. I’m ok with it.) this weekend we got an email from someone who’s significant other had bought coffee at Pop-Expo and they wanted to get them a few bags for their upcoming birthday since the SO had enjoyed the coffee. It made me really happy.

Happy

I know one fan of the blogs and one fan of the coffee doesn’t mean we’re suddenly huge. It’s not a viral post, or a publishing contract. But it is a sign that we’re doing something right and getting ourselves out there.

Between that and editing two books that I think are good enough to publish, I feel like a lot of hard work is starting to show progress. It makes me hopeful and after last month, I really needed that.

 

Thank you my not so imaginary friends!

 

Éric

CON Contest, Coffee, Buttons, and Felix Felicis

by

Hello My Imaginary Friends,

Sick

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed but I’ve been really out of it that past three weeks. I first caught a cold, then a stomach flu, then hurt my back, and then things started to thaw. So I’ve been valiantly combatting viruses, bacteria, and allergies. It was a hard fight but I think I’ve finally gotten the upper hand.

So if my stories seemed extra delirious, I have an excuse.

CON Contest Winner

The CON Contest ended yesterday and was won by Tricia. Congrats again and hope to see you at CON.

CON, Coffee, and Buttons

IMG_29868975732683

Saturday is CON. YIKES! If you don’t yet know CON is Ottawa’s newest geeky craft fair dedicated to creators, artists, and artisans. No stores but sooooo much awesome. Come check us out.

I have roasted and flavoured five flavours for sale and I’m going to seal them tonight. I ordered labels that will hopefully arrive today or tomorrow. I’ll have the 100g bags for $10 but I’ll also be selling 25g tasters for $3 each or 2 for $5. The tasters will have an exclusive flavour that I’m calling Elvis (Peanut Butter and Banana Cream).

I restocked our buttons and created a new product. I call it the EGGcellent lottery. We have 48 easter eggs each with a pin inside. 1 out of 4 pins have prizes either $5 or $10 dollars off your next purchase or 2 pins of your choice. We’ll be selling the eggs at $3 each or 2 for $5. Yes you can mix and match the coffee and eggs. (Yum breakfast.)

Felix Felicis

The end is coming for poor Felix. His year round adventure is coming to a close. Only 2 more chapters left before his end.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about The Ridiculous Adventures of Felix Felicis is a serial story that I’ve been writing since April 1st, 2014. It currently has 9 parts and will end on April 2nd. Go read what you’ve missed, it’s silly fun.

After that I will start a new serial story. My goal is to have a new serial story every year that has between 5 and 15 chapters. The next one will be decided by reader votes. So get ready.

 

That’s it for me today. Have a great weekend and I hope to see you at CON.

Will you be Attending Con?

Eric

Coffee Pre-orders are open!

by

Coffee for CON

Last week I asked you to vote for which coffee’s you’d like me to sell at CON.

The response was pretty clear and I’ll be selling 4 coffees at CON:

  • Banana Cream: Rebranded as Minion;
  • Cinnamon: Raktajino;
  • Peanut Butter: Jabba the Peanut;
  • Raspberry: Morpheus’s The Red Pill.

I’ll have free samples of one of these available on the 21st.

Coffee Pre-orders

You can pre-order any of the flavours above and a few others on our new Coffee Pre-Order page!

Writing

I’ve gotten back into the habit of working on Everdome and I’m really enjoying the characters. It’s really easy to write this book.

Reading Quest

I’m trying to get through the first book in over 20 series I’ve accumulated over the years to see if I like them.

I recently finished Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews the first in the Kate Daniels series and I absolutely loved it. The author weaves genres together to create something original and fascinating. The maturity in the prose and world building is a joy to read. I look forward to devouring the rest of the series.

I give it an 85%

 

You excited for coffee?

Éric

Favourite Coffee Flavours

by

Hello Friends,

Coffee Polls

1614625_10152780446420973_7564268037777313495_o

So last night I tried a new coffee flavour and for the first time since I’ve started, it failed. Turns out that Butter Popcorn isn’t strong enough to overpower the taste of coffee.

I have two polls for you. The first being which flavour you liked best of those you’ve tried. I will be selling 2 of these at CON on the 21st of March.

What Classic Flavour Should I Bring to CON? (Select 2)

  • Captain Jack (Banana Cream) (36%, 4 Votes)
  • Raktajino (Cinnamon) (27%, 3 Votes)
  • Davroast (Chocolate Hazelnut) *May Contain Nut Oil (18%, 2 Votes)
  • Spiked (Butter Rum) (18%, 2 Votes)

Total Voters: 7

Loading ... Loading ...

And the second is what new flavours you’d like at CON.

What new Flavour should I bring to CON? (Select 2)

  • Jabba the Peanut (Peanut Butter) *May Contain Nut Oil (56%, 5 Votes)
  • The Raspberry (Raspberry) (33%, 3 Votes)
  • Fires of Mordor (Spicy Chili) *May Contain Nut Oil (11%, 1 Votes)
  • Snow White's Wake Up Potion (Green Apple) (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 5

Loading ... Loading ...

Editing

I’ve managed to spend the past three weeks, editing Parasomnia and A Study in Aether, both of which are now with a second set of Beta Readers. Yay!

Reading Quest

I’m trying to get through the first book in over 20 series I’ve accumulated over the years to see if I like them.

I recently finished The Nymphos of Rocky Flats by Mario Acevedo. It’s the first in the Felix Gomez Series. Overall the book was OK. I’m not a big fan of the main character. The title is the sexiest part of the book unfortunately. It is well written and I have to give the author his due for making some unconventional choices in the mythology but not my favourite.

I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it. I give it a 55%.

Thank you and please Vote,

Éric

Busy, Busy, Busy!

by

Hello my Imaginary Friends,

The code word right now is busy. I had a chance to work on Everdome yesterday but seeing the pile of work ahead I’m guessing I won’t get a chance until next week to work on it again.

The downside to writing a new novel, especially in the first half, is the lack of sleep. It might seem weird but my mind has been obsessing about the story and everything I can, and should be doing with it. It means I haven’t been able to shut my mind off until past midnight the past three or four days. I just keep running new and interesting scenes through my head… sigh.

A Study in Aether

I got a surprising email from the publishing company I thought either hated me or had forgotten about me. They emailed to say that they were super behind and I should be patient, they’re still interested in my book but haven’t gotten to it. (I submitted in November 2013) The biggest issue I have with writing and the publishing industry is that things move glacially. But I’ll take this as a good news and see what happens.

I still plan on editing it and passing it on to a new beta reader, once I get the chance to work on it.

Coffee

I’m going to be testing two new flavours this weekend, Raspberry, and Apple. I’m looking forward to seeing how fruity flavours mix with coffee.

C.O.N Creative Ottawa Nerds

IMG_29868975732683My wife and some friends are organizing a Craft fair for local Nerdy/Geeky creators. . It’ll be awesome!

Remember March 21st!

Check out the page: https://www.facebook.com/CON.CreativeOttawaNerds

It’s going to be at St. Richards Church House (8 Withrow Avenue, Nepean, Ontario)

There will be facepaiting for the kids, plush animals, magnets, crocheted things, buttons, books, clothing, cosplay supplies and much much more.

Oh and did I mention there will be coffee? I’ll have 100g bags of coffee for $10. Once I order the supplies I’ll open pre-orders.

Ok, back to work!

Later days,

Éric

Coffee Bean Hack

by

I’m still fighting this damned annoying cold and once again writing to you from the place I plan on writing all my novels when I make it big or retire. Our library is awesome.

I’ve recently come into 8-10 lbs of coffee beans. If you’ve read my blog or talked to me, you know I prefer flavoured coffee over regular. It’s not that I don’t like regular coffee, most of it I do but why have a regular coffee when you can have cinnamon.

Making Flavoured Coffee Bean Hack

Ingredients

Method

  1. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
  2. Spread coffee beans on a clean cookie sheet
  3. Roast coffee for 1 minute in oven
  4. Remove and place in a bowl let cool 15-30 minutes until beans are warm
  5. Add oil to beans mix well and put in a covered container.
  6. Let the beans rest 24 hours.

Warnings

  • Over flavouring will result in a bitter maple taste. Let the bean rest in open air for 2-12 hours to mellow the taste
  • Certain flavours, like Banana Cream have a natural bitter taste that shouldn’t be mixed with dark coffee.

 

Enjoy and let me know how you like the recipe.

Éric

I’m sick but COFFEE!

by

Hello My Imaginary Friends,

I hope everyone enjoyed The Assassin. If you did, feel free to go read the first story in the series, Hal the Sun Speaker. I will write more in this universe.

Sick

Saturday I helped move a wonderful lady that gave me more Starbucks coffee than I can handle, which is great. Unfortunately my immune system finally gave up fighting against the bug that the Weditor had two weeks ago. So I’m sitting wrapped in a blanket in our basement library with the little electric fireplace going and a cup of amaretto Starbucks coffee. Oh the hardship! I’d be in complete bliss if the room would stop spinning and I didn’t want to rip out my hateful throat.

Everdome

I’ve been writing at a regular pace, other than this week, and I’m about to crack the 5 digits in word count. That might not seem like a lot to most of you but it’s the point where I decide if I’m going to keep writing or if I scrap a story.

So far I have 2 POV characters written and I’m enjoying the story. It feels a little slow but that’s just my enthusiasm to get to more action. The next planned POV character is a smartass thief and con artist. She should be fun to write. The last character is going to annoy me and I might drop him completely. He’s planned to be a computer jock with no outdoors skills and a huge ego. Maybe he won’t be that bad. I always feel guilty writing a jerk as a POV character.

Coffee

I’ve decided against buying a BBQ drum roaster. I’m worried the BBQ itself will affect the taste. I really like the smooth taste that the hot air machines give. I’m going to try and hack the machines to give a larger yield.

For those interested here are the flavours that I will have available at the next event, which looks like the 21st of March.

Previous Flavours

  • Cinnamon Dark Roast (Raktajino)
  • Chocolate Hazelnut Medium Roast (Davroast)
  • Butter Rum Light Roast (Spiked Coffee)

Altered Flavours

  • Banana Cream Light Roast (Minion Coffee previously Captain Jack Harkness)

New Flavours

  • Peanut Butter Medium Roast (Jabba the Peanut)
  • Mystery Flavour (Announced after some experimenting)

Bye

Ok. I need to lay back and read some comics. Hopefully I’ll feel ok tomorrow.

 

Stay healthy friends.

Éric

What has Eric Been Doing?

by

Hello My Imaginary Friends,

It feels like a while since I’ve written a real update about everything going on, so here’s an update on what I’m working on.

Novels

A Study in Aether

The book is currently with Beta Reader 1 (or 12 depending on how you’re counting.)

I plan on sending it to Beta Reader 2 by the end of January and 3 by the end of February. If all goes well I’ll be able to resubmit in April. Yay!

Parasomnia

I’m roughly 36% done editing and it’s taking a long time. It’s all about motivation unfortunately. I’ll start working more on in it next week. I’d like to get it to the Weditor by the end of next week. Yikes!

Everdome

I’ve been planning and prepping and wishing I could write instead of editing. So yesterday I caved and started writing a little. I’ve now got 3000 words total of a novel I haven’t technically started.

I’ll start writing it officially once I finish editing Parasomnia, so hopefully Christmas week and then in the New Year.

Stories

Sun-Speaker Universe

I’ve written a sequel to Hal The Sun-Speaker and it should be edited and serial posted here sometime in the future.

Crystal Death Multiverse

I previously called this Project Kitchen Sink. I haven’t worked much on it but I do have 3 completed stories that I’m considering serial posting here.

The Cosmic Cuckoos

The Adventures of Helen will be returning soon. I really enjoyed this story but got distracted by Felix Felicis.

The Ridiculous Adventures of Felix Felicis

This story started as a one off word of the day and turned into a time spanning epic which makes me giggle every time I re-read it. I hope it’s made you laugh as well.

I’m planning on wrapping this one up around April Fools.

Games

The Simplest RPG

I’ve done a little work on fine tuning this game and I have a playtest on Saturday that should give me an idea how well it’s works. I’ve created a cute little character sheet and everything. I’ll post more next week.

FADDS

I won’t have a website up for FADDS this year but I have been hard at work fine tuning the system. I’m very close to the editing phase.

I have a playtest for FADDS this weekend too so I should be good to make some edits and then go through the whole thing to fix issues and clean up language.

Coffee

Next step

I’m ready to call my coffee experiments a success. The product is good and I’ve had some good reviews. I’m planning on upping my production capabilities and next convention I plan on having a giant thermos to let people test the coffee.

My next phase in production is to test out weird flavours. My best sellers were Cinnamon and Banana so I’d like to try some unlikely flavours. I’ll try out some of the fruity stuff and see what happens.

Flavours

I’m keeping the Raktajino, rebranding the Banana Cream as Minion Coffee, and adding Jabba the Peanut a peanut butter flavoured coffee.

I think, unless I hear different, I’ll retire the Spiked and Davroast.

Want Some?

I still have some Spiked(Butter Rum) and Davroast(Chocolate Hazelnut) left over if you’re interested.

Youtube

Silver Stag

I’m still volunteering with Silver Stag Entertainment. Go check out the shows. We’re really quite funny.

JenEric Designs

Things have been quieter than the night before Christmas on the JenEric Designs Youtube page.

All is not lost. I have an idea that is both easy and cheap to produce. Bonus is that my antiquated Premier will be able to handle it easily. I just have to get it set up. More on that later.

 

Well I’ve been busy lately…

What project, that I’ve been working on, would you like to see more of?

Éric

PopExpo and Jurassic World

by

Hello,

This weekend was PopExpo. Jen, Lindsay, and I had a lot of fun despite the smaller than normal attendance.

My coffee sales were ok. We’ll try again for Comic Con.

If you’d like to buy some I have a few bags of Capt. Jack Harkness (Banana Cream), Spiked (Butter Rum), and Davroast (Chocolate Hazelnut) left. They’re $10 Dollars. You can email me or use the Commissions page. All bags are $10.

Short post today so enjoy the new Jurassic World trailer:

I think this gif expresses how I feel.

squee_who

(I’m the one squeeing)

 

If you bought some coffee this weekend, what did you think?

If you didn’t and want to, let me know!

Eric