Inspirations, the Stories Space Coffee House: If you're reading this it just might mean I'm back, sorta. If you're not reading this, well, congratulations.

Good morning, everyone.

Molly, thank you for your beautiful and encouraging post. Many websites like SS have their good and bad times. Now is not the best time, but it is a chance to learn, improve, and hope. I believe we are already doing all three things I mentioned. Patience is a virtue. With patience and perseverance I hope for good times ahead. I am in no rush. Thank you again, Molly.

It is a rainy Autumnal day, here. My presence will most likely be daily for the most, but there may be some days I sit on the sidelines. Last week and this past Saturday I had two significant seizures. Not grand mal (convulsions), but they were bad. While sitting on the couch, several times I had serious partial seizures. The ER meds make me very fatigued. So I may not be posting as much or even at all for a short while. However, I doubt that. Posting in here and chatting with you all is lovely and posting my "mood picture/gif" is too much fun.

I hope everyone is doing well and I hope you all have a lovely day.

Coffee is Carabello Autumn Equinox and Cafe Du Monde French Roast. Teas are Organic Chai and White Peach. ☕️🫖

🌹 Cora's Creations 🌹 offers you these wonderful treats.

Autumnal Pastry Dish 🍁

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Apple Crumble Muffins

Enjoy! 😊

I started a new page with my above post, hiding Molly's post on the previous page. I copied and pasted her's below.

Quote by Molly

Please know that I have seen all of these and hear all of you and your concerns. I take it to heart and care about SS too. Also, know that even if you don’t see the efforts, I have been doing things off of SS to bring in more readers and writers. I advertise and share word of mouth about each and every comp as well. It saddens me that the site has slowly grown silent and that it doesn’t get the attention and care it deserves. I will continue to move forward, offering y’all comps, and hoping that some of you will enter them. Perhaps one day StoriesSpace will get the consideration it deserves and we will once again flourish. Until then, know that I appreciate your efforts and your continued presence. We wouldn’t be here without all of you. 

~~

Here's a little cheesecake for your evening snack.

I am sure things will be fine here. Traffic comes and goes. A comp involving another site might be the way to go to get more traffic, but I know that can be problematic. Anyway, thanks for all your work on this Molly.

It’s snowing here! And windy! I suspect I am not leaving the house til after (gulp!) Election Day. As long as I don’t have to go out into it, it’s pretty to look at.

Thanks for all the excellent treats Cora and Molly! And for the setup Ape and Bear. I’ll have my usual.

Too too many yummies around here. To go with them, I'll put on a pot of Kicking Horse Kick Ass coffee. For teas, how about some Red Rose and English Breakfast. Hot water is waiting if you want other teas or some hot chocolate.

One thing I will say positive is that Molly does an excellent job. Not sure if there are actually any other staff active right now. Meet the Team page shows Sherzahd as an admin and Gil and Rump as mods. But Rump is no longer active as far as I know and we have heard how Gil's life has been keeping her away. Not sure about Sherzahd.

And the second generation software is improving. There's more quirks than in other social software I have experience with and still some gaps, but has definitely improved of late.

Comps are a great promo and I look forward to them but for developing the site, they don't seem to be working. We get lots of drive by entries who are not otherwise active on the site, or at least drop by rarely outside comps. But, yes, keeping them going is a must for livening up the site for sure. Comps are one of the things about the site that I promote.

OK, so it's decision day in America.

Or, as St. Ronald of Raygun put it – It's Morning in America!

Although nobody knows, I strongly suspect Harris is going to win, and win big.

We will see, but if you're American, you owe it to yourself, to your country, and honestly, to the rest of the world to vote today.

Good morning, everyone.

Mendalla, the Team as a whole is active, although Bill (Rumple) has not been active for over 90 days. gillian announced after several pop-ins and updates she will be more active in about a week or two. I messaged with Yasmin (Sherzahd) the other day. She was unable to be here for a couple months due to reasons beyond her control. Bill tends to pop in every now and then. The only change I have seen was a while back when LilCoffeeLuvr was no longer on the Team as a Story Mod. I agree with you; Molly is an excellent admin. Yasmin and gillian are both great, too.

Rainy and windy over here, and too warm for November.

I hope everyone is doing well and I hope you all have a lovely day.

Coffee is Carabello Autumn Equinox and Cafe Du Monde French Roast. ☕️ Teas are Organic Chai and White Peach. 🫖

🌹 Cora's Creations 🌹 offers you these wonderful treats.

Enjoy! 😊

I agree, Molly is an excellent Mod of the site, and the team seems strong. I didn’t know Gill was a Mod, and I am happy she will be here a little more.

Made it to Election Day. Whew! I will be glad when all this is over. Hopefully that will be in a few days, not a few weeks.

Me, I am chilling today. Follow the news, do a little cooking, play a little No Man’s Sky, hope for democracy.

A coffee and a cinnamon roll please.

I was clearly wrong, very wrong, about the election, and you have no idea how sorry I am about that.

The lambs have voted for the slaughter.

Good-bye 19th Amendment and women's right to vote.

Good-bye Brown v Board of Education. "Separate but equal" will return for African-Americans.

Putin wins, America loses. The John Birch Society now rules the U.S.

Other losers include Ukraine, Gaza, and, to a lesser extent, Canada and America's allies.

Perhaps I'm being overly gloomy, but it feels like Germany in 1935.

And Canada may be Austria.

Welcome to Amerika.

And if I have but one wish, it is that I'm wrong about all of the above.

Good morning, everyone.

I hope you all have a beautiful day.

Coffee is Carabello Autumn Equinox and Cafe Du Monde French Roast. ☕️ Teas are Organic Chai and White Coconut. 🫖

🌹 Cora's Creations 🌹 offers you these wonderful treats.

Cinnamon Knots

Glazed Pecan Shortbread Cookies

Autumn Cupcakes 🍁

Speaking from the Land of the Maple Leaf, I love those maple leaf shortbreads. scarfs a couple

And coconut white tea? Hm. I'll try that.

Yeah, the US situation is not exactly the best we could hope for but vibes to the Americans. You'll need them, and probably would regardless of who won.

Good morning all! A coffee and one of those lovely cookies please.

Pumpkin, Spice and Everything nice! I hope everyone is having a lovely Autumnal day. 🍁

Pumpkin Spice Donuts

I'm staying over at my parents' tonight per my boyfriend's suggestion so I won't be by myself when he goes for surgery tomorrow.

Good morning, everyone.

I am growing quite fond of offering you all morning desserts. Ironically I worked in a bakery as a teenager for a pastry chef from Switzerland. It was very lavish and popular. He is very talented...and does not have the best of temperaments. I left work crying a couple times. Nonetheless, bakeries are such fun, at least the idea of them. And baking is fun!

Back to the real world. Pinky is curled in a tight ball against my hip. Like any other day, I am hoping for the best.

I hope everyone has a lovely day.

Coffee is Carabello Autumn Equinox and Cafe Du Monde French Roast. ☕️ Teas are Organic Chai and White Coconut. 🫖

🌹Cora's Creations🌹 offers you these wonderful Autumnal treats. 🍁

Apple Muffins with Cinnamon Pecan Streusel

Butter Pecan Cookies

Maple Pumpkin Scones

Enjoy! 😊

Quote by Cora
Ironically I worked in a bakery as a teenager for a pastry chef from Switzerland.

LOL. My uncle is a retired Swiss pastry chef but I don't think he ever worked as one in his own country. He apprenticed in Vienna and then immigrated to Canada where he met my aunt. Worked in a hotel then at a private cricket and curling club. Grandad was a member so I suspect some mild nepotism.😉 We have been beneficiaries of his training many times.

Quote by Cora
Butter Pecan Cookies

Ape pounces "Butter Pecan" is like a magnet for me. And I shall have an organic chai with that, too.

Debating some possible thread topics to see what I can inject here. Writing and reading stuff would be ideal but, oddly for a writing site, those rarely get much attention. Oh well, I can try.

Colorado is closed today folks. Snowed yesterday, snowing now, and will snow most of the day. Fits my mood. At least I enjoy shoveling the drive and sidewalk, for some odd reason.

Those apple muffins looks scrumptious. I’ll have two. And some coffee.

I’m trying to write, with mixed results. I played video games for like five hours yesterday. It was fun, though. I love No Man’s Sky.

Quote by verbal
Colorado is closed today folks. Snowed yesterday, snowing now, and will snow most of the day. Fits my mood. At least I enjoy shoveling the drive and sidewalk, for some odd reason.

😲 You can keep it. Western Canada has snow, too, but it's been rather mild for November so far here. Waiting less than eagerly for the other shoe to drop.

scarfs another butter pecan cookie

Mendalla, I had you in mind when I chose the butter pecan pastry. I remember from my ice cream poll that was your favorite flavor. And small world about your uncle being a pastry chef in Switzerland. Thank you for sharing your story.

I think intertwining thread topics in Inspirations could be interesting. I know sometimes conversations go through lulls, especially when it is only you, verbal, and myself, and the occasional James. However, more members may very well start writing often. One possible idea you may find fruitful is going to the first page of Inspirations and reading through a few pages sporadically, seeing what people wrote about.

Ironically, you mentioned writing projects in your first post and the post you created a couple hours ago. I think we all talk about our writing stuff--I know we do, at least you, verbal and myself. Currently I am struggling with what to write about so I have nothing going on at the present moment.

I think a reading topic could be interesting to add to writing. Writing and reading, as you wrote, is a good start. Personally, I go through periods where I am silent and do not say much of anything. And I do not want to force anything.

No worries about conversation at Inspirations. Things will start flowing again, I am sure. 😊

verbal, Autumn is definitely my favorite season, closely followed by Spring. There is something about Winter I very much love, like looking at the snow. It is very beautiful but I get cold easily so I do not like walking through it. There is the added bonus of my birthday being in Winter--December 23. I am very festive in Autumn and Winter, especially Winter. I guess it came early to Colorado. Thank you for updating us. I learned to snowboard in Colorado. I have great memories from my trips there. ❄️

I hope you guys are having a wonderful day.

Quote by Cora
There is the added bonus of my birthday being in Winter--December 23.

Wow, almost a Christmas baby, eh. My late mother was born New Year's Eve. Yep, one day later and she would have been a year younger. 😊

Quote by Cora
Autumn is definitely my favorite season

Likewise, though this Fall has been so variable around here. Still a bit warmer than it should be right now though less so than earlier in the week.

It's snowing again.

I'd be very interested in a thread where we just talk about what we're writing, on a daily basis. I've always been a bit reticent about discussing it in the coffee shop (though less lately), but I'd love to have a thread to open up and share.

A contest involving other sites--one in particular--would be a good solution, but I know not everyone agrees with that.

I haven't been writing as much of late. I've been busy trying to figure out how to promote Bear and Girl. The free book promotion did goose interest, I've got a lot of nice ratings, and a few outstanding comments, which always help, but sales are drifting off again.

I find it interesting. There is an entire industry devoted to "helping" indie authors promote their books. It reminds me very much of the San Francisco gold rush – the 49'ers, well before the NFL team, and the actual source of that team's name. It wasn't, in general, the miners who made money off the gold rush, but the suttlers – the people who sold supplies to the miners.

There is a LOT of conflicting information about How to Make YOUR Book A Best-Seller! – for just $59.99! Or $29.99. Or $129.99. Or let us do it for you! $4999.99!

It gets confusing, especially as all the advice boils down to: Give us your money!

Perhaps, later, once I know something, I'll post a thread on how to promote a book. Maybe that will get some attention.

Meanwhile, since I'm gluten-intolerant, I brought some peanut butter cookies – GF! – for y'all!

I know Mendalla for one likes 'em, and hopefully everyone else will, too.

BTW, I know Writer Girl's life is complicated at the moment, and she's taking a bit of a break, but I'm sure she'll be back.

Given that publishers probably invest more in marketing than in actual content, it somehow does not surprise me that there are people making money off helping people market self-published material. I keep nudging towards experimenting with the field a bit (expanding Tana's story into a novella, for instance) but then I get kind of daunted and realize I would rather be filling my writing time trying to get new material out.

My current project has stalled. My writing in general has stalled. I try but the energy just is not there. Last two nights, I have barely even touched my computer, just watched YouTube on my TV. And I am away for a chunk of the weekend, too.

Anyhow, since we got yummy peanut butter cookies, how about something to wash them down. Some Tobermory Grotto coffee is brewing. For teas, we have Scottish Breakfast and Peach White. Soda stock looks good. Hot water is on standby if you're hankering some other variety of tea or hot chocolate (mini marshmallows are in stock).

Later alligators...

Good morning, everyone.

James, I think sending Anna a message about your book promotion issues might be helpful. Although she does not come on SS as often as she used to, she may see your message and help you out. She promoted her book, The Nurses, here. It may be found in the Forum under the following sections: Sing Your Own Praises; "An Announcement," Milestones; "AnnaMayZing Has Had A Book Accepted For Publication." I think it was her publisher who made a YouTube promo on The Nurses. The link to the video may be found in the Milestones thread towards the end. Perhaps that may be a good idea for you to do for your book. I think reaching out to Anna may help you. I know she struggled at first but after some changes, her process in selling her book became easier.

Regarding my own writing? I have a vague idea of a possible series in the Crime/Action genre. However, it is merely a possible idea but it has stayed with me for over a year. More recently an idea came to mind, rather a beginning to a story, but again I do not know if anything will come of it. Still very vague and I could see it being Drama/Thriller/Mystery/Crime. So right now, not writing but my imagination is at least active.

I hope everyone has a lovely day.

🌹Cora's Creations🌹 offers you these wonderful treats.

Pumpkin Truffles

Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cider Donut Holes

Maple Pecan Sticky Buns

Enjoy! 😊

Good morning everyone. Thank you for the yummy treats. We need them - a huge snowstorm is hitting, and it is is unlikely we’ll be able to leave the house. S’posed to quit around 5 a.m. Saturday. Yeesh!

I’m enjoying listening to everyone talking about their writing habits. I too have had a bad time of late. My bugaboo has been the worry about the election, but at least that is over with. The election, not the worry. Anyway, I’m trying to get in an anthology about fairies, and though I know almost nothing about fairies, I am giving it a shot. They are disguised as…moths! And even though real fairies (I know) are supposed to be kind of amoral and tricky, I am uncharacteristically going to write a nice story, where they save a child’s life.

James, I tried to market a series of stories called Serious Moonlight, based on some stories I wrote for another site, and had the same problem. The free giveaways were kind of exciting, because you really take off a little, but once the giveaway ends no one buys it. It was a disappointing experience for me. I hope you do better.

I am sorry your current project has stalled Ape. Maybe try finishing it, even if you feel it sucks, and then work on a second draft? Most first drafts of anything suck. It’s the second draft where the magic happens, in my experience.

Anyway I am rambling. Time to, well, drink some coffee and watch the snow come down with the woman I love. I’ll grab some of those cinnamon donut holes!

Quote by verbal
Maybe try finishing it, even if you feel it sucks, and then work on a second draft? Most first drafts of anything suck.

I like what I have. Just having trouble working out where it goes. It's the one I've mentioned with the mystery woman who is a mystery even to me, apparently. I have ideas for her but none that seem to work when I try to follow them through.

Whenever I have gotten stuck while writing a story I almost always set it aside and wait for inspiration to hit me. Personally, I think that is what works best for me and others probably have their own ways. Sometimes I read story prompts to try and spark an idea. Hopefully you find a way that works for you, Mendalla.

I'm staying over at my parents' again tonight per my boyfriend's previous suggestion so I won't be by myself while I wait for him to feel up to talking.

Quote by JustAnotherSapphic

I'm staying over at my parents' again tonight per my boyfriend's previous suggestion so I won't be by myself while I wait for him to feel up to talking.

Hey Elyse! I didn’t know you had a boyfriend! Make sure he treats you right.

The snowstorm is not as bad as predicted. We got hit hard yesterday, but most of today’s snow outlook has been canceled. Shovel out and get back to life.

I hope everyone is well. I brought some Pez for everyone to chew on waiting for yummy baked goods. Want one?

Quote by verbal

Hey Elyse! I didn’t know you had a boyfriend! Make sure he treats you right.

It's a recent development but so far so good. He and I met cause we were both members of the same Tom Petty group on FB. He's older than me - like, a lot older - but we click and that's what matters. He's down in SoCal (I'm in NorCal) but that's okay.