E.M. Havens: May 2013

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Set Backs

I was making quick progress on Dark Night of the Soul. Then, through a weird turn of fate, all work stopped. I've had hangnails all my life. They're very small and I just pull them and go on with life. Every now and then I'd get a little infection, put some neosporin on it and continue with whatever. I pulled one on my thumb two Fridays ago. Saturday it was a little sore, more than usual, and I soaked it in alcohol and forgot about it. Sunday it was fine, just tender. Monday it was the same. Tuesday it was swollen and sore again so I repeated Saturday's ritual. Wednesday morning at 1 am, I woke up in severe pain. I tried to laugh it off, but there was no laughing. After taking ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and asprin through the course of the night, the pain only got worse and I couldn't sleep. First thing at 8, I managed to get a hold of our small town family doctor. A doctor I've never seen for myself but taken every member of my family to. I'm just never sick. When the Doc found out it was me calling he got me in ASAP. Because, being a small town doctor, he knew if Ms. Havens was calling for an appointment, it was serious. After a few more agonizing hours I was in to the doctor, had a culture done to rule out MRSA, and was headed to the pharmacy for antibiotics and hydrocodone. While waiting for my prescriptions to be filled, I noticed my forearm hurt. It felt like when you have a pulled muscle and it burned with use. By the time I got home, my upper arm hurt as well. I chalked it up to holding my arm funny because my thumb hurt so bad. I took my meds and my husband got home a bit after that and I said I needed to go see if I could sleep. The pain was still severe and I wasn't certain what the lortab would do because I hadn't ever taken it before. When I stood up, the whole room spun and I started shaking. I thought I might have a fever. I fell asleep pretty quick though and I slept for about 4 hours. I knew something was wrong the minute I opened my eyes. My whole arm throbbed an my joints (knuckles, elbow, shoulder) stabbed with pain each time I tried to move. I could also feel tightening in my chest and I realized that the swelling had gone up my arm past my shoulder. I was also still shaking and took my temperature which was only 100.4. I decided to take the second dose of antibiotic and wait a bit before going to the hospital. In hind sight, I should have gone. If the antibiotic hand't kicked in, I could very well have lost a limb, if not my life. But it did, and the swelling started to recede. Needless to say, I didn't even look at my computer for the next few days. I did a few things on the weekend and even just visiting friends tired me out. It's Wednesday, a week after the worst of it, and this morning I tried to resume my regular activities. I'm now sitting on the couch in pain. My thumb is still swollen a bit and didn't take kindly to hauling feed for the animals around. I'm also still having trouble concentrating so I haven't worked on DNOTS since last Tuesday. I feel like a slacker, but I know if I try to work on it feeling like this, the results will not be stellar...and I really want them to be. So my tests are back, I don't have MRSA, but it was a massive staph infection. All from pulling a little hangnail...something I've done for my whole life. I hope to get back to rewrites by the end of the the month. My editor got the manuscript back to be early, so my projected publication date is still July 1st. However, this little incident, coupled with the devastation in Moore, has really made me focus on and appreciate what is really important. My writing may slow down as I give more attention to my family. This will push Fate War 2 back into Spring 2014 possibly. But it is in the works.Thanks for understanding and go hug your family.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

I'm in Oklahoma

For those who may not know. I live in Oklahoma. I was born a Texan but My heart is Oklahoman. It is broken for those who have lost so much. I grieve with the parents who still don't know where their children are. Me and mine are fine. Unscathed. But if you pray, please do so for those in Moore, Oklahoma. If you can, text "REDCROSS" to 90999. This will make a $10 donation to help the tornado victims. The charge will show up on your next phone bill. Thank you.

*update*

Friday, May 17, 2013

Negative Reviews

Hey folks!

I think some of you have noticed that I've received my first negative reviews. Isn't this GREAT! I mean seriously, when YOU are trying to decide what book or product to buy, what do you read first? The negative reviews right? And what if you see a product with only 5 star reviews? Staged right? I'm excited to have these reviews. I feel it's a milestone in my career. Actually, when I get my first 1 star review, I'm having a party. It's going to be epic.

So, as loyal fans, this is what I need from you. Please do not vote down the negative reviews. This does not reflect positively on me as an author or you as fans.

Of course if the review is blatantly false, like they say: When the space aliens started showing up, I really got confused. or The southern dialect written into the main characters was hard to read. Feel free to leave a comment to enlighten readers.

But if they just don't agree with you: The romance was boring. or the Plot was tired. Just leave it alone.

I really appreciate you guys enthusiasm. Please direct it at telling your friends how great Fate War: Alliance is! LOL!

You're honored and humbled Author friend.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Finished Ch. 5 Dark Night of the Soul Rewrites

My editor zoomed through her notes on DNOTS. I can't believe It. I started rewrites yesterday and I'm already on Chapter 6. Of course the hard rewrites are yet to come. I can't wait to share this story with you all. It holds a special place in my heart...which makes me nervous. It's not your typical fantasy story and deals with some tough situations. Many will find it disturbing. It is. But any story worth sharing has some difficult moments to push through. My projected publication date is July 1st. I might just make it. Last time I was two months late.