Delays, distractions and a revival

Even after the paid edits in 2016, I lost the drive to resuscitate the novel for a small print run in 2023. I felt that it served its purpose as a creative outlet while I learned to manage PTSD symptoms since the life-altering incident in 2003. 

In 2024, I removed the novel's and Flo's presence from Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and Smashwords and was ready to enter a quiet retirement with less ambitious creative activities. 

Enter 2025 which brought a random inquiry through email from an interested party searching for a copy of the novel. After confirming real life existence and exchanging polite emails about writing and publishing, I have been converting chapter files from Microsoft Word to PDF, one by one. I can't bring myself to confirm each change by the editor (my Ma. Eng. Lit. daughter). I trust her judgement so I just approved all changes before converting and sharing with the audience of one. I cannot read the details of each chapter because I get misty-eyed when revisiting the reactions between Father Gio and Sera. 

Even with the glowing and somewhat obligatory reviews from family and friends who read The Year of the Rabbit after it was published in 2011, it's a heartwarming feeling that a total stranger has sought out your story, ready to consume one chapter at a time then sharing personal reactions through email. 

This has been an interesting twist as we enter the Year of the Wood Snake this month. 

Thanks for following along. 

T

Hard decisions in the year of the pandemic

 Retiring the Ebook: January 2021

Happy New Year, eh?

We are in the process of removing the Ebook from online platforms, reconsidering that bright idea of publishing a limited print edition before 2023.

Apologies in advance for any broken links and rabbit holes on this blog and related pages.

Stay well. Stay safe.

T

Halloween 2020 is an eerie thing

 Stay home. Stay safe. Practice social distancing.

Who would have thought back in 1975 this would be an issue, that the entire world would be in a Pandemic in 2020?

It is sad that some members of society are behaving like children, rebelling against the advice from public health professionals and local politicians. 

Just grow the puck up. 

Your trick or treat activities will have to be toned down. 

You will have to find other ways to exercise rather than go to a sweaty gym. 

You will have the opportunity to cook at home and learn new recipes rather than visit a restaurant. 

It's a harsh reality but we can get through this if everyone cooperates without succumbing to the conspiracy theories of anarchists and anti-maskers.

Permit me to help you reminisce with an excerpt from The Year of the Rabbit, when Sera got to dress up as a witch and go trick or treating with her BFF Violet. 

Read: http://novel-yotr.blogspot.com/2010/10/halloween-night-sera-loses-her-friend.html

Stay safe but still have fun, kids.

Grow the puck up, selfish, irresponsible adults. 

Flo T

Father's Day 2018

This post is in recognition of Father's Day.

Due to my own Father passing away many years ago and the lack of a Father figure in my little family, this day no longer holds much significance. 

I can imagine how it must feel for some families to celebrate Mother’s Day or Father’s Day in a home divided or where one parent has passed away. I admire families with dedicated, responsible fathers. I envy women who have had the good fortune to find a man, a mate who is faithful, kind and supportive, and who sticks around to help raise their children.

In the novel The Year of the Rabbit, we are introduced to Matthew Fletcher, father of Sera and her older siblings.  Only a handful of people had been aware of Sera’s true paternity. After Marie passes away, her hidden letter of confession reaches Matthew via an unlikely  messenger.  
 
I like to think of Matthew Fletcher as an ideal husband and a good father.  He was gentle and loving with his children.  He was forgiving of his wife’s wild behavior.  He performed honest work as a carpenter and cabinet maker.  Read more here. 

Here's wishing all the good fathers out there a wonderful Fathers’ Day.  Enjoy the time with your family.

I invite you to read more excerpts from The Year of The Rabbit, a Novel About Fate, Family and Forgiveness.  

Join others who enjoyed this unpolished gem of Canadian fiction.  Download the first few chapters of the eBook for free from Smashwords.  If you like what you have read, you can then purchase the entire book for 99 cents or more (you set the price).

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In the spirit of conserving resources and time, most content of this post has been recycled from an earlier one. 

T