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I've Dipped My Toes Into Coaching Waters

I've Dipped My Toes Into Coaching Waters
Sep 27, 2024 by HL Bernabe

A repeat editing gig client hired me to coach them, and I was so tickled!

Deadpool and Wolverine Movie

Deadpool and Wolverine Movie
Aug 23, 2024 by HL Bernabe

I took my kiddo to see the Deadpool and Wolvering movie, and OMG, were we not disappointed!

Where I Discover I Actually Like Brandon Sanderson

Where I Discover I Actually Like Brandon Sanderson
Aug 16, 2024 by HL Bernabe

I've hesitated reading his work because of hype and because I DNF'd the first book I ever read of his and couldn't bring myself to try another. But, one book is not representative of an entire body of work, especially when it's the author's debut novel. Authors continue to grow and improve, and I figured I should give him another chance. So I did.

Lesson on Hate From a Trimet Bus Driver

Lesson on Hate From a Trimet Bus Driver
Aug 08, 2024 by HL Bernabe

I wrote the following blog post in 2012. Sadly, since then it seems we have gone farther backward rather than forward when it comes to race relations in our country. I worry for our future. I'm reposting this, because I think it asks some big questions. Questions that we really should be asking ourselves and each other. 

I edited it by adding a couple of [ ] notes for clarity and by using asterisks in language that is offensive.

Contests and Magazine Submissions

Contests and Magazine Submissions
Aug 02, 2024 by HL Bernabe

I submitted my first "chapter" to the Craft First Chapter 2024 contest!

Writing Prompts

Writing Prompts
Jul 05, 2024 by HL Bernabe

I read 13 books in June, and in July, I'm just about to finish my third book so far this month. The one I'm about to finish reminds me of a prompt taken to its logical conclusion.

What I'm Currently Reading

What I'm Currently Reading
Jun 07, 2024 by HL Bernabe

I'm reading several books at once at the moment. Don't you juggle books, too?

Book Gatekeeping is for the Birds

Book Gatekeeping is for the Birds
May 24, 2024 by HL Bernabe

People who gatekeep books can kiss my oversized buttocks.

Horror Audiobooks and Work Don't Mix

Horror Audiobooks and Work Don't Mix
May 10, 2024 by HL Bernabe

I don't recommend listening to a horror audiobook when you work alone. You would think the reason would be self-evident, but this idiot (me—I'm the idiot) did just that...

I Need More Gray Shirts

I Need More Gray Shirts
Apr 05, 2024 by HL Bernabe

Cat love means never going without a bit of extra fur on your person.

Damsel Movie Review

Damsel Movie Review
Mar 29, 2024 by HL Bernabe

The movie Damsel, featuring Millie Bobby Brown as the lead character Elodie, released March 8th on Netflix. It's a hoot!

A Little Serenity

A Little Serenity
Mar 28, 2024 by HL Bernabe

I originally wrote this post back in July 2013. I was trucking through Colorado, and stopped at a rest area with some really unusual-looking rock formations. Honestly, they looked like so much fun to climb that I really struggled to force myself to get back in the truck. I had a delivery, after all, and couldn't lolly-gag.

My 12-year-old son, when he got to go with me for several weeks of one summer, had a very succinct way of describing trucking after his experience. "It's all go and no stop." I suppose it's more accurate to say it's all go until you have to stop some place completely out of the way with nothing interesting to do for three days. 

Anyway, the story is about my struggle between my inner child and my responsible grown-up self.

Inspiration and Ideas

Inspiration and Ideas
Mar 15, 2024 by HL Bernabe

For writing, success = ass in the chair. For inspiration, sometimes it's the same.

When Did I Become a Troglodyte?

When Did I Become a Troglodyte?
Feb 09, 2024 by HL Bernabe

There is no arguing that computers have made our lives so much better. Yet, I think in some ways, technology has also made our lives harder. If a person (me—that person is me) can't keep up with the changes, it is really easy to fall behind.

24 Hour Writing Contest and Short Stories Are My New Jam

24 Hour Writing Contest and Short Stories Are My New Jam
Jan 19, 2024 by HL Bernabe

I participated in a story writing contest over the weekend, and discovered I actually enjoyed writing a short story with a small word count. (Small as in less than 1000 words or less.) What a novel idea! (pun intended)

Capping Off the Year With a Little Inadvertent B&E

Capping Off the Year With a Little Inadvertent B&E
Jan 04, 2024 by HL Bernabe

Back in 2013, I was a long-haul truck driver. This is the story of how I broke into a big box chain store on New Year's Eve. (Edited for spelling/grammar/clarity.)

Misfits of Carnt Book Series

Misfits of Carnt Book Series
Dec 15, 2023 by HL Bernabe

Check out the Misfits of Carnt series by Aaron Frale. They're humorous fantasy, and a lot of fun! In this blog post, I review the first two books in the series.

From NaNo to NoNo!

From NaNo to NoNo!
Dec 08, 2023 by HL Bernabe

National Novel Writing Month is over, and I have never been so glad. The last two NaNo’s I managed to win, one of which was by the hair of my teeth. I completed last year’s novel, though it was very, very rough and still needs to be torn apart and re-written, LOL. But at least I got my ideas on the page and wrote something that was very difficult for me to write.

This year, however… This year started off really well. I had an outline and everything. I stumbled on the first night, falling asleep at my computer after only typing 55 words, but I more than made up for it in the following days and weeks. By the end of week two, however, I was in trouble.

Going Silent Until December

Going Silent Until December
Oct 21, 2023 by HL Bernabe

NaNoWriMo is right around the corner! I plan on participating, do you?

December Tales II

December Tales II
Oct 13, 2023 by HL Bernabe
December Tales II from Curious Blue Press is available to preorder from Amazon.