PPLD Mountain of Authors Archives

May 11th Where Have I been?

First of all, I want to apologize to everyone for just kinda disappearing. After my husband’s retirement and our wonderful trip of a lifetime, I returned home, and terrible things began to happen. This is not a poor-me post; this is a life-happens post, and you have to live with it.

First our companion dog of 13 years became really sick. She could no longer walk, had to be carried everywhere, even outside to go potty and upstairs to go to bed.. She’s a 50 lb chow chow so none of that was easy. Eventually, she was in so much pain we had to let her go on October 6, 2025. A terrible day.

Then we discovered that my husband had to have four major surgeries. September, November of 2025, then April 2, 2026. One surgery is still pending. Hoping to put it off till 2027. This is a man who was rarely sick for most of his life and never complains. He is my rock and knight in shinning armor.

A bright light in our lives happened December 14, 2025, A new chow chow puppy entered our life. She is an unbelievable puppy, no house breaking problems, rarely chews on anything she shouldn’t, learned her commands, sit, stay, down, stand, come, and place very quickly. She is now just over 7 months old and much bigger than the picture.

Then disaster struck again. On April 29, 2026, our 28 year old companion parrot had a seizure. We did everything we could to save her. Rushed her to the vet. He tried life-saving procedures for three hours. She passed in our arms. The shock and hurt is still terrible. She was integrated into every aspect of our lives and travels. From keeping my husband company when he shaved, to playing backgammon in the evenings and of course our many RV trips. I realize she had a good life, but still doesn’t help. We are just lost without her.

All these things have affected my ability to write and do promo. I promise that soon, I will complete the book that’s been waiting for over a year, and the other two in the pipeline.

For the first time in over a year, I will be making a public appearance at the Pikes Peak Public Library Mountain Of Authors. Colorado Springs, CO on May 16, 2026, from noon to 5:00 p.m. I hope you’ll come see me! I’ll have all my books with me for sale.

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged family tragedies, pet loss, PPLD Mountain of Authors, Writers by Tena Stetler with no comments yet.

Apr 7th Camp Nanowrimo Creates Romance & Happily Ever After

Once again I am participating in Camp Nanowrimo, April 1^st through April 30^th, 2017. It’s a little more unstructured than the November Nanowrimo, where you have to complete 50,000 words in thirty days. At camp you set the pace and how many words you want complete in the 30 day timeframe. Still, there are hundreds of writers worldwide participating so you cheer each other on. It’s a fun forum, when usually it’s only you, the computer and keyboard. Writing is a solitary endeavor for the most part. Check back here to see how I’m doing! This morning, April 7th, I’m at 8,990 words, so I have a bit to go to meet my daily word count. Wish me luck!

For me Camp Nanowrimo is still 50,000 words in thirty days, because I need a good start on my next book. But there are a few obstacles, Pikes Peak Library District’s Mountain of Authors is Saturday , April 8^th. It’s a lost day of writing but so much fun hanging with local authors, selling and signing books for my readers. Then April 28^th through the 30^th I will be at the Pikes Peak Writer’s Conference, so I better have my 50,000 words done at that point. Whew! That means only twenty-seven days. Still I love a good challenge!

Something that has always mystified me is the rolling of eyes and a few derogatory comments when I say I write romance or paranormal romance with a little mystery and suspense thrown in. It’s the happily ever after that draws me to the genre. What could be more inviting than to be swept away to a world of magic, fantasy, feel good and romance for a few hours. No time in recent history has there been a greater need for a safe place to escape for a few hours. Or a reminder of the heart-warming and healing power of love. Especially when devastating destruction is all around us, whether it be natural disasters or man’s violent acts on mankind.

So to those who question my choice in writing — too bad. I will continue to create stories that stress the importance of seeing beyond ourselves to help others obtain their happily ever after! I’m not sure what can be done to fix this world, but for my part I will continue to create happily ever afters in my corner of the world to share with you.