*this is a scheduled post, which is super weird considering what I was talking about with my computer. My best friend passed away this week and I'm going to take some time off, but I wanted to send this last scheduled post with a note. I'm not sure how much time I'll need but I'm thankful to have this distraction right now.*

My computer finally whizzed out, defeated by a forced update that it couldn't handle in its old age. I am saddened, as the computer helped me write nearly half a million words this year. I'm guessing the final count was around 455K.

Podcast:

You responded, I followed through. This week launched the first episode of Confessions of a Writing Addict. I talked about passion projects, life updates, and my writing confession of the week - muddy middles and inner critics.

This podcast is a rough draft, like my NaNo novel, so I'm going to play around with the format and see what you guys like best. Give it a listen, a subscribe on whatever platform you're listening on, and leave a rating! You can also reply to this email with your thoughts, suggestions, or writing confessions for a chance to be featured!

Kaputz:

My computer blacked out on me this weekend... let me rephrase that: my ten-year-old computer whizzed, sputtered, and groaned its last breath. I know I wrote an emotional chapter, but when I said "oh my god, I'm dying", I meant I was dying of 'feels'. "Fluffy the Rancor" (the name I gave my computer, if you know Star Wars) is now in computer heaven, defeated by my many words.

While that has definitely put a road block in my path for the foreseeable future, I am making do with yet another ten-year-old laptop until Apple can ship me a brand-spanking-new Mac Mini. I can't wait to see what sort of projects I cook up with this new guy. I'm gonna write, like, four novels at once while running video and a podcast in the background.

New Chapters:

Soul Collapsed - You can read new chapters of Soul Collapsed now available on Wattpad! These are 100% free rough draft looks - a great example of things you can read ALL THE TIME if you join me on Patreon!

After encountering someone you hate at first sight, accidentally get carried away and injuring the girl during a basketball game, then finding out she's not actually going to the hospital, what's your gut reaction? Let's consult the Internet.

Wow. I sat back in my chair, stunned. Kiya’s name populated the first two pages of a search. Gymnastics and track star as a kid. Basketball state champs in middle school. Starting softball player on Varsity since seventh grade. Even recognized for her academics and the highest regional GPA… Kiya literally did everything.

But the search terms didn’t show anything of relevance in the last three years. It’s like she dropped off the map. No news reports on any accident, as per Josh’s information, and nothing to indicate any other issues. The basketball team she had been on still existed, just without her. Even the softball team was still a Varsity sport at West Hills. But no Kiya.

“Wow, so you’re stalking her now?” I jumped at the voice in my ear just as Isobel pushed the keyboard away so she could sit on the table. “Did you really think I’d let you off that easily?”

“I wasn’t actively avoiding you, if that’s what you’re asking,” I replied. Isobel dropped two backpacks to the ground, including Kiya’s leather jacket. I pointed down. “Kiya’s stuff?”

“Yeah. She’s fine, by the way.” She looked back at the computer screen. “Find whatever it was you were looking for?”

“I think you know I didn’t.” I folded my arms. “Find the MRI machine at the hospital?”

Isobel narrowed her eyes. “I’ll play your game. You get one question, so do I. Honest answer.”

I smiled. “Deal. What happened to make her… you know…”

“Paralyzed?” Isobel asked. “I should dock you for being too scared to finish your question.” She sighed. “She had just turned sixteen and entered a physical competition. I think almost everyone was rooting for her to lose, even though they knew she would win. There was a… malfunction during one of the events. An explosion knocked her back into a wall and a rock punctured her spine. Broken bones, ripped muscles, torn nerves, you name it. Lost use of her legs for a bit and she took a year off of school to recover. Of course, liability and such, everything was hush hush.” She pointed back to the computer. “That day stole a lot of things from her, but not her spirit. Actually, after that event, it really just hardened. What you see is what is left, which is hard to take in.”

“You’re still friends with her,” I said.

Isobel nodded. “Of course I am; she’s my best friend.”

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Outro:

It's been a rough week. I had a different outro written to be scheduled, but some things came up and I deleted it. My best friend, better half, and the Leslie to my Ann (Parks and Rec) passed away suddenly. She was 28, full of love, and one of the brightest sparks in my life. My dearest @lexa, I'm shattered, but I'm thankful you no longer have to suffer.

Most of this newsletter was written ahead of time, not usually something I do, and I'm quite thankful I had the thought to do it.

I'm going to be taking some time off from things. I'm not sure if I'll have a post for you next week. Right now I can't see straight. Tomorrow might be different. Thank you all for your support.

This week, reply back to this newsletter with something that made you laugh this week or some pet antics, maybe even a Parks and Rec or Schitt's Creek moment that made you smile. It could be a photo, a tweet, a gif, or anything in between. Let me know how you're doing and what you've been up to - I need some distractions.

Free Books:

I'm offering a great deal for you guys. If you leave an honest review on Amazon for The Stolen Lives, I'll send you book 2 of the Warrior Series (The Innocent Named Warrior) FOR FREE. And if you leave an honest review on Amazon for that book, I'll send you book 3, The Troubled Stranger, FOR FREE AS WELL. I'm even doing it for book 4, The Fall of a King. Hell, if you want book 5, I'll keep it going.

All you have to do is leave a review and send a screenshot of that review to me at author.laurawinter@gmail.com and I'll share the files with you!