This morning, I made cayenne spray for my bird seed. If anyone reading has ever tried to feed birds yet ends up feeding squirrels more than flying creatures will understand why I have done this. We have seen cardinals, titmice, chickadees, purple finches, house finches, and goldfinches at my hanging bird feeder. The birds are slowly coming back from their trip down south, and they are finding the seed.

The problem is a squirrel has also found it.

Do you like sexy GLBT shifter romances? My new novel Full Moon Fever is now available for pre-order at Amazon and at eXtasy Books. Two men who happen to be werewolves are looking for love and excitement. They find more than they bargained for when the moon is full and passions run high, with lust taking center stage.

Full Moon Fever by Elizabeth Black - Amazon Kindle

Now that the entire world is on lockdown due to COVID-19, you need books to read. My favorite romance genre is paranormal, and I thought I'd suggest some very good books to help you avoid cabin fever. What are your favorite paranormal creatures? I like shifters, especially werewolves. I also like hauntings and ghosts. There are many different types of paranormals to choose from – vampires, werewolves, ghosts, zombies, psychics, mermaids and mermen, aliens, faeries, demons, angels, and witches.

I write in two genres that get a lot of grief – romance and horror. Romance readers are far too often stereotyped as fat, lonely women out for a thrill between the pages with sexy heroes to make up for the lack of excitement and love in their lives. Horror readers are far too often seen as weird loners or losers who have psychological problems. Sadly, sometimes the people and businesses who are in a position to uplift these readers ridicule and bash them.

I've recently recovered from a nasty bout of intestinal flu. It wasn't fun. Nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, fatigue, and diarrhea. This bug lasted about a week. I was on the BRAT diet – bland food like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. I managed to force down some egg drop soup and pork fried rice. Chicken stayed down. I know I was very sick since I didn't crave any sugar or caffeine. In fact, I have had very little junk food in six days. No coffee. I don't drink caffeinated sodas.

This year is Leap Year, which means for the first time in four years we have February 29. What am I going to do with this extra day?

I'll tell you what I won't do – clean house. Not on a fun day like February 29.

Here's what I plan to do on Saturday, February 29:

It's that time of year – endless schmaltzy Christmas movies. You could veg in front of the TV and watch scads of Hallmark Christmas movies which are all exactly alike. Here's what you'll find on a Hallmark Christmas movie, per a popular meme floating around. I don't know who wrote it, but it's funny as hell.

Woman: I have a high paying job in New York City that I love and Christmas isn't that important to me.

Her black friend: You need a MAN.

Woman's dad: Come to the small town; we are suffering without a baker for our town festival.

Woman: Okay, dad.

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season since it's about to wrap up for 2019. I had a fantastic Halloween and Thanksgiving. Christmas and New Year's are the only holidays left to celebrate. With 2020 looming, I've decided to make some writing goals for the year. Here is my list:

It's a good idea for a writer to establish a routine for writing. I've read advice stating to try to write at the same time every day and aim for a certain number of words. I like to work in the mornings and I aim for 1,000 words minimum when working on a story.

In honor of World Mental Health Day, I'm reprinting this article I wrote a few years back about creativity and mental illness. Enjoy

THE MADNESS OF ART

We work in the dark - we do what we can - we give what we have. Our doubt is our passion and our passion is our task. The rest is the madness of art. – Henry James

Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose or paint can manage to escape the madness, melancholia, the panic and fear which is inherent in a human situation. – Graham Greene

-----