Nonfiction
- Cultish : The Language of Fanaticism (Amanda Montell)
Fiction:
(Main Topic):
Residency:
Home:
- original plan
- architect
- water concession
- little rental while building
- various reasons added up to can't start building until the water concession is final (6 months - 3 years)
- August: need to move to different rental (no answer at Village, but yes from landlord, no again from village); started looking off the mountain and discussed pricing; a neighbor had an idea; it's a go!
- moved last week of August; house guests arrived Sept 4th
- car
- Buddy miracle on the Monday before our friends arrived
- still repairs happening now. (Time moves differently here. Pura Vida and "mañana" are real.)
- had a pre-party; another gathering happening on Nov 5, but waiting until the fence is built and we have bookshelves up and all the art up before having the housewarming party. Anytime I start thinking about the date for that party ... I remind myself that I have no idea when the work will be done. Much like setting a launch date for a new book can't be set until you know when the editing and revision will happen and the cover is finished, I can't set the party date until I know when the work will be done here. And one never knows. Too many variables.
Business:
- Taxes. !!! Bane of my existence. Can I file another extension?
- AI conversations and concerns in our house (husband unemployed tech writer currently) and where I can pivot: international retreats. In person events.
- Telegram Broadcast Channel: drop a voice note (mini podcast episode), open for coaching questions, and I'll answer them in the Telegram channel. Not live. But for 24-48 hours after the initial audio drop, I'll be glued to the app and answer in as real time as my schedule and time zone allow. If you're in Europe, .... ;-)
Retreat:
- have been doing my retreats wrong (even though I loved them)
- know what I need to change on the back end (more realistic)
- Blueprint program and getting coached
- find a venue
- "much like setting a date for a book launch..."
- Taking a card from the Pura Vida mindset and will set a date once I get most of those variables solidified.
Patreon:
- memberships
- added value (quarterly full moon micro writing retreats)
- monthly reflections, happy hours, book clubs, oracle spreads (Story Arcana)
- two live calls each month for Witchy Book Doula (book) coaching and Focus and Finish (life) coaching
- plus any content I create (videos, essays, books, etc.)
Travel:
(2026: Jan/Feb: Epic Road Trip took us through 7 countries; August: Spain/Mallorca; September: Massachusetts; 2027: March: Florida; Later: Oregon? Washington? Mexico or Nicaragua?; 2028: India and Turkey)
- solar eclipse chaser (Oregon, canceled Texas one (Fatma died), and Mallorca)
- New Moon, Solar Eclipse ritual during Lion's Gate and I'm a Leo Rising in my astrology chart. (journaling)(crossing the threshold: who am I? What am I claiming? What am I releasing?) Lion's Gate Declaration: "I am a witchy book doula, helping writers find their voices, sitting with them until they feel real, channeling both sacred and mundane--without plan or performance. I ground easily on a yoga mat, praying to my guides and ancestors, finding answers within and listening deeply. I dance on the earth that smells of sandalwood and roses."
Spirituality: (see above) + more oracle cards! (Magic Manifestation Diary -- Tatyana Gosh)
Fitness: gym at the house; yoga class at the center? Back and forth here? Walking with Ali and Usha; swimming. Meditation. Two days now. It really works.
Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan
Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor
Tools:
ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)
