👩🏻‍💻✍🏼 My passion/hobby

It’s amazing how certain books from our childhood stick with us, isn’t it? For me, discovering ‘Hank the Cowdog’ in 4th grade was one of those pivotal moments. I remember my teacher introducing the whole class to the series, and it quickly became a beloved staple, so much so that even now, a copy sits on my shelf, and I’ve passed the joy onto my own kids. Many of you might be wondering, 'how many Hank the Cowdog books are there?' It's a fantastic question! John R. Erickson's beloved series, narrated by the 'Head of Ranch Security' himself, boasts an impressive collection. As of my last check, there are over 70 books in the main series, not to mention a few spin-offs and companion books! That's a lot of adventures for one cowdog, and each one is packed with humor, warmth, and surprisingly insightful takes on ranch life. Reading through them as a child, I was captivated by Hank's quirky personality and his hilarious misadventures. This series, alongside others like 'Julie's wolf pack,' truly cemented my lifelong love affair with reading and storytelling. That early exposure to rich narratives and engaging characters was, I believe, a quiet but powerful force shaping my own desire to write. It taught me the magic of world-building and character voices, even if I didn't realize it at the time. Now, as I pour my heart into my dark romance trilogy, 'Baby Girl,' I often think back to those early reading days. The journey from a child devouring Hank the Cowdog tales to an indie author crafting complex plots is a long one, filled with countless hours of reading and, eventually, writing. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned on this author journey, especially tackling a trilogy, is the absolute necessity of staying organized. It’s not just about creative flow; it’s about managing character arcs, plot points, and keeping track of revisions. I’ve definitely had moments where I’d be immersed in 'writing and then' suddenly 'remember I wrote a note somewhere' – only to realize it's buried in a digital abyss! That's why finding the right tools has been a game-changer. I am 'so glad I found a new app to keep me organized that won't bog down my mind.' For me, Scrivener has been that app, though I quickly learned the hard way that syncing issues between iPad and iMac versions can be a real headache! Now, I stick to the iMac version, and I was thrilled to get a 'MacBook to use it on the go vs the iPad version.' Being able to write anywhere, whether I'm waiting for appointments or just need a change of scenery, makes all the difference. It's about making space for the stories that want to be told, inspired by all those literary adventures that started way back when, with a certain Head of Ranch Security.