You guys know I’m not truly tech savvy. Several million upgrades ago I was the IT guy for the bank I worked at, but that was in the last century. Regardless, I’m not afraid to push buttons. So, when I received the notice that I needed to upgrade my system, I hit install update. This was around 1 p.m. in the afternoon.

It started to download, and I checked the time remaining, expecting up to 20 minutes. 2 days. No kidding, it said 2 days! I figured it would drop from that quickly and went on with some non-computer work around the house. Checked back after an hour or so and it was up to 1.3 of 13.1 to upgrade and still said 2 days for completion.

I let it continue, I was able to check email and I don’t play games or watch videos on my laptop, it’s just for writing and I didn’t have time for that right then. Kind of forgot about it, just let it run (with power plugged in). Around bedtime I checked again – up to 4.6 of 13.1 and still 2 days. Unbelieveable. Against my normal practices I left my laptop plugged in and running and went to bed. At 6:20 this morning it was up to 9.6 of 13.1 and down to 9 more hours.

Okay, had I been had? I got on chat with Apple and was told it was legit and did take some time to download but that seemed excessive even to them. Power down and let them know when it was off. So, I powered down and immediately lost the chat. Now that’s on me – I was stupid, but I was chatting on the laptop…duh! I got back into chat and got a female tech that time (an aside, I highly recommend female geeks. I personally get much better service, but I digress). Anyway, she had me take down the chat number (which I hadn’t done before) and took my email address so I could be reached on my phone, and just made me feel slightly less stupid. Thank you for that.

Then I reset our modem for the house wireless. It came back on in minutes and I restarted the download. It finished in about 5 minutes, so something had gotten ‘stuck’ for lack of a better word. Then of course it had to upload everything. Now I was getting nervous because I have a zoom exercise class starting at 8:30. I can see the time dwindling but start my exercise 20 minutes before class starts (which is my normal practice to warm up). The zoom starts, I let the instructor know I’m having computer issues and might vanish, but I’ll do what I can. At 8:30, not 8:29 or 8:31, it restarts, saying it will be “several minutes”.

Sigh – it’s up and running smoothly now and I’m up-to-date on my software. I’ll get some more exercise in sometime today…

Coming November 2 (pre-order October 15) – Christmas Business

This year’s Christmas novella, a fake relationship story, Christmas Business introduces you to Jessica and Max –

Jessica’s Christmas isn’t looking too bright this year. Her parents are off with their new families, and she’s stuck at work finishing a report since she had “nothing else to do”. When her computer dies, her last hope is sunk. Until the hunky IT man shows up to fix her computer and her holiday.

Max was ready to leave for the gathering at his parents’ house when the phone call came from upstairs. Who the heck was still here? Reluctantly he checks and finds an answer to his Christmas problem and maybe a lot more.

Amazon

You are going to be new to many of my readers. Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in a traditional Midwest home. My childhood wish was to be a librarian or an art teacher. Neither career would be in the stars. After graduating from University of Cincinnati Design Architecture and Art, life through a curveball into my well-ordered plans. Instead I moved to the Hudson River Valley where I raised my son, working as a bartender, waitress, house painter, medical office assistant…. anything to keep tus financially afloat.

It was in Cold Spring on the Hudson that I fell in love with the small-town flavor and it’s denizens. Many of the latter would become templates for the lovable, quirky characters in the “Voyage of the SunRunner”.

Fast forward a number of years. A move to Davidson, North Carolina brought me to a ten-year study of metaphysics. I became an intuitive reader and remain so today.

I like to think that all those life experience hats I wore, helped me write my first novel. Now I live in Mooresville North Carolina and is working on a dystopian young adult novel.

* Tell us about the book that’s just come out.

Voyage of the SunRunner is my first novel. It is a combination science fiction, adventure, romance with a dash of world concerns, and a sprinkling of the metaphysical. There is just about something for everyone in this book.

* What started you on your love of writing?

My love of writing definitely started with a love of reading. Although I’ve been a visual artist for many years, there has never been a time when I was not also reading a book…or two….or three.

* Do you write in more than one genre – tell us a little about each one and the books you’re working on in each?

Working on a YA right now!

* Have you attended any writing conference or classes? Tell us about some that and some that have been especially helpful.

Prior to the pandemic, I attended a writing group under the tutelage of PE Calvert. Calvert is not only a publisher but spent many years as a Hollywood screen writer.

* How attached do you get to your characters? Do you know what happens after the book ends?

When I write I definitely see my characters as if they were in a movie.

* Could you tell us the one question you wish people would ask about your writing… and don’t forget the answer.

I would gladly answer any questions directed my way about those authors who have influenced my writing. That would be Maeve Binchy, Frank Herbert, Anne McCaffrey and Isaac Asimov. Of course, there are many others, but those four, and their novels, stick out in my mind.

Contact her at  sedgwick.talltales@gmail.com

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You know the month I’m talking about, with the scary movies on TV and time to read the spooky stuff. It made me look to see which books of mine fill the bill. Seems like I lean in that direction – LOL!

Check some of them out, if you’re not familiar with my stuff, it’s a good month to start.

Ghost story, check – Wraith’s Heart

Reincarnation story, check – Before You

Psychics, check – Learning Trust, Hazardous to the Trust, Small Changes

Aliens, check – Alien Embrace

Shifters, check – The Conall Clan series

Yep – I found what I was looking for. Enjoy!!

Enjoy and have some candy while you’re reading…