Empty Your Mind & Fill Up Your Trello Board

By Maureen Bonatch

Clutter causes me stress. This often includes the clutter that I can’t see, which is the rapidly-filling email box and the endless to-do list on various sticky notes. Some hastily written and illegible when I refer to them later…or the to-do list  in my mind that tends to start scrolling when I’m trying to go to sleep at night

Empty that Email Box

I, like most people, have a never-ending number of emails and feel compelled to continuously check, and reduce that bulging inbox. But like that weed overtaking my front lawn, it's often hard to wrangle those emails into submission. 

Spending a little time organizing my email means more time for what I want to do (like read books!), and less mental stress.

Get Rid of the Clutter

I love many of the newsletters that I get. But some no longer interest me, or I can’t remember why  I subscribed. 

• Unsubscribe, or use Unroll me, to eliminate newsletters that no longer interest you

Organize the Clutter

Often I have emails that I want to read but don’t have time now, or they are time-limited like coupons I want to save, or upcoming events.

• Organize your emails with folders to get your inbox to zero

• If your email box is really full, try alternating sorting emails by starred, sender, subject etc. to quickly reduce and prioritize emails

I did this for years and have many, many folders. Which means this might not be the only plan for people like me who like to save a lot of things to look at later, or need quick reference for some pages ongoing. That’s why I started using Trello.

Taking it Outside the Email Box

Trello is one of many organizational tools, which are often referred to as task managers. A few  others include Asana, Airtable, Calendly and more. Many of them have free plans, which is what I currently use with Trello.

Here’s how I organized my emails for easy reference later and empty out my email box.

1. Determine if the email needs to go into one of my email folders for reference.

2. If it’s a link to an article, a tool, podcast blog or site that I may use frequently or read later then go to my Trello board.

My Boards

• My Kanban (or To Do) List

• What I need to Do (in a defined timeframe or this list would be endless)

• What I’m Doing this Week

• What’s Done

•  Upcoming or future tasks

• Courses and Education where I link:

• Online Courses I’ve bought and have done, or am doing 

• Educational or reference Books I’ve read, or am reading (because my Kindle is also overwhelmed with info)

• Podcasts: I want to listen to or have listened to

• Writing Resources where I link:

• Resources

• Author Tools 

• Website information

• And more on creating my newsletter, book prep etc.

I have a few other Boards for my books, and author brand, but those don’t necessarily relate to my email box.

I’d Rather Be Reading 

Because who wants to spend their free time going through emails, or obsessing over their To-Do list? Not me! Organizing your emails and to-do lists can give you more time for things you really want to do, like reading.

Here are some books to fill your TBR.

Free Cozy Mysteries

Right here: https://books.bookfunnel.com/cozymysterylover/j5upp0cbs6

Get Cozy This Summer

Check them out right here: https://books.bookfunnel.com/getcozymysteries/5az8utgjp0

How Do You Stay Organized?

Just a small-town girl, Maureen Bonatch leads a double life. She lives in a magical world as a novelist, and as a nurse leader in reality. Maureen’s first novella was a paranormal romance published when blogs were a new-fangled thing. She’s since changed her focus to writing paranormal cozy mysteries as M.L. Bonatch and urban fantasy as Maureen Bonatch. 

While she’s not busy writing or doing nurse-things, she’s a mom to her twin daughters, bicycling in the beautiful woods of PA with her hubby, doing the bidding of a feisty Shih Tzu, and dancing as much as possible. She believes music can be paired with every mood, laughter is contagious, and that caffeine and wine are essential for survival.

 Follow M.L. Bonatch all through cyberspace! 

 Amazon page    BookBub Facebook Goodreads Newsletter https://www.maureenbonatch.com/free-book/

Keep the conversation going by joining my Facebook Group right HERE! https://www.facebook.com/groups/630494098126926

Resolutions, Goals, or Intentions, oh my!

 By Maureen Bonatch 

 

A new year, but often the same resolution for many people. Most confident that they’ll be able to keep their resolution. Otherwise, why keep making them? 

Perhaps because we want to start fresh with a new year, and it’s difficult to admit that sometimes we might be responsible for not achieving successful goals. 

The good news is that we’re not alone. Most don’t achieve them, but even knowing that, it’s a good idea to make them since they have a positive effect in giving us hope for the new year. The other good news is that you have options. 

Resolution or Goal?

A resolution is more of an overarching decision to do, or not to do something, while a goal involves more taking action to make it happen. You could also set an intention, or determine a word that you want to focus and work toward through the year. 

I’ve found that often my resolutions tend to be the same year after year, so last year I laid out specific goals. I achieved many of them this way—such as publishing three books in my new Charmed Cocktail Cozies—while others I continued to struggle with, such as the roller coaster of embracing self-care and health. 

For many of us we want to set a very high expectation, which we think would be fabulous to obtain, but it can also set us up for disappointment if we can’t live up to our own standards. 

This year I’m planning to try something different. I know, the year has already started, but it’s never too late to make a new goal, or resolution, or intention in my opinion. 

Stop, Start or Pause

I plan to decide what I want to start doing more of, and stop doing with the hope that these will help drive me toward achieving more goals and overall satisfaction. Because usually there is something that is interfering, or stopping us, from achieving those goals. Perhaps getting to the root cause of the issue might help me find success. 

For example. I have won NaNoWri almost every year, yet it is the only month I hold myself to that word count standard. 

I plan to: 

• Stop lying to myself about how I will make up my desired daily word count during a few days of the week. 

• Start setting structured word count goals and holding myself accountable for them. 

Another would be to: 

• Stop taking course after course looking for the ‘secret sauce’. 

• Start implementing what I’ve learned. 

I might also decide to put some goals on pause. This might not be the right time to pursue them, but that doesn't mean that another time wouldn't work if I return to it later.

 How About You? Do You Make a Resolution? Goal? Intention? None of the Above, or Other? 

Check out this fabulous cozy mystery giveaway- maybe you can win some new books to start the new year! Enter RIGHT HERE.

Just a small-town girl, Maureen Bonatch leads a double life. She lives in a magical world as a novelist, and as a nurse leader in reality. Maureen’s first novella was a paranormal romance published when blogs were a new-fangled thing. She’s since changed her focus to writing paranormal cozy mysteries as M.L. Bonatch and urban fantasy as Maureen Bonatch. 

 While she’s not busy writing or doing nurse-things, she’s a mom to her twin daughters, bicycling in the beautiful woods of PA with her hubby, doing the bidding of a feisty Shih Tzu, and dancing as much as possible. She believes music can be paired with every mood, laughter is contagious, and that caffeine and wine are essential for survival. 

 Find M.L Bonatch on Amazon or  Keep the conversation going by joining my Facebook Group right HERE!

My New Release is a Halloween Christmas Mash Up

 

By Maureen Bonatch

I’ve been known to complain about Christmas in July. When my twins were young I'd insist that we weren’t putting up Christmas decorations until at a minimum—the Thanksgiving table was cleared. 

Despite what I held off in my home, it didn’t stop the retailers, radio stations and television shows from pumping out those holiday themed items as early as they could. 

Then 2020 rolled around and my favorite month—November for National Novel Writing Month. 

I knew what story I was going to write, a dark paranormal romance. November 1st rolled around and I sat down to get those 50,000 words in…and I didn’t get too far. The year weighted heavily on me and for the first time in years, I couldn’t get inspired. Until I changed my story. 

I realized one reason why many people like to start the holiday early.

The thoughts and images of spreading cheer with family and friends elevated my mood. I binged on holiday movies and played Christmas music way earlier than I ever have to write this holiday story. 

Except in MAGIC, MIMOSAS & MISTLETOE (a story from my Charmed Cocktail Cozy series), I found a way to combine Halloween and Christmas. Because what witch worth her broom would choose Halloween over Christmas?  

Oh, and it's a paranormal cozy mystery, so there might be a murder or two...and some ghosts.

A little About MAGIC, MIMOSAS & MISTLETOE

I don’t see dead people, but my dog does. 

 

Hi, I’m Marissa Hale. When my friend, Grace invites me to visit the Inn she inherited, I’m high-tailing it back to my home state of Pennsylvania. Like most things in life, there are strings attached to her inheritance—and these ones have twinkly lights. The Inn, and the town, are Christmas themed. No witch worth her broom would choose Christmas over Halloween, unless that witch’s bloodline is the magic mainline for keeping the yuletide spirit alive. 

Her aunt’s death was already suspicious, but then we stumble upon a dead body amongst the poinsettias that resembles one of Santa’s fabled elves. It sure seems like someone is trying to force Grace to sell Kringle Inn. I’m going to need all the help I can get to solve these crimes, and save Christmas, but when the only witnesses are a pig, and a ghost, I’m not sure that’s going to be enough… 

 

Click Here To Get Your Copy

An Excerpt featuring Marissa and her cat, Jasper, from my book MAGIC, MIMOSAS & MISTLETOE 

 

Everyone would be a suspect until I proved them innocent—or I tired of determining if there had truly been a murder. It was better than contemplating the Christmas holidays when it wasn't Halloween yet. “It's nothing like that. The spell provides a way to ride along with someone and see and hear what they see. Like a little spy.” 

“What do you mean by a ride along? If you're referring to me, which I'm guessing by the look in your two current eyes, I can tell you it will not work. You're,” he raked his gaze over me, “many, many times my size.” 

“Not in person, silly. I would ride along in your mind.” 

Jasper let out a hiss and jumped to the floor, backing away with his tail raised. “In my mind? What kind of hocus pocus are you getting into? Most likely, it wouldn't work. With your lackluster spelling abilities, you could end up trapped there, and that wouldn't be good for anyone. Who would remember to feed me?” 

“Enough of the insults about my spelling.” Most of them were true, but I was practicing and getting better. Potions were more my thing. Well, they were getting to be my thing. “It's not an evil spell, so I shouldn't get more black streaks in my hair.”

 

“I'm not worried about your hair. Besides, there's nothing wrong with black hair. Feast your eyes on my glorious fur.” He swished his tail from side-to-side. “Yes, you're lovely, whatever. Now, listen. I know this spell sounds far-fetched, but it could be fun.” 

“Nope, not fun at all. Zero fun. Nada.” He kept backing away toward the door. 

“But I thought you wanted to be my familiar?” It was low of me to play that card, but I knew how to sway him to my favor. 

Jasper stopped and remained silent for a moment as he considered it. “I don't see how that matters in this situation.” 

“Our bond could grow stronger with a spell like this. Who knows? You might gain some magic yourself.” I did not know if any of this was true. 

He paused and lowered his tail. “You're joking.” 

“No, I've heard it could happen. I can't guarantee it would, but it's possible. If anything were to go wrong, Grace is here. She could fix it.” 

Jasper nodded. “That much I can agree on. Grace is much better at spelling than you'll ever be, and I've never seen one dark strand in her hair.” 

I clapped my hands together. “We can find out much more about everyone this way.” 

“You mean you can. Obviously, this is how I always find out things. You're just jealous you don't have my stealth and want it for yourself. There are benefits to being small.” 

I stood from the bed and grabbed my oversized purse. “Let's get started.” “Now?” Jasper's eyes widened. I stopped digging in the bottomless pit that was my purse. “Why not? We can try to approach Wilber again.” 

“What, and get stomped on with one of his cloven hoofs, or mixed into his dinner trough?” 

I waved him off. “I can help you with finessing the conversation. I already have all the ingredients gathered here in my purse, so let's get ready.” 

“You were optimistic that I was going to agree to this spell, I see.” Jasper leapt on the bed. “Elevated to the role of familiar, you say?” 

“Maybe? I knew you'd see my side.” I laid out a small bowl and the ingredients, including the one item Sabina insisted was essential. I had to make it myself to personalize it to the spell. With limited time and supplies available for crafting, it wasn’t perfect. 

“What in the tuna is that?” Jasper shrieked. 

“This?” I knew the tiny homemade voodoo cat doll might push him over the edge. “It's nothing. The figure helps to make sure this works right and that I end up in the correct person's thoughts that we intended the spell for.” 

Mulder came stumbling into the room, falling over his feet on the slippery floor and taking a nosedive. He came to a stop with a skittering of paws at the foot of the bed. His irritated huffs and raised behind confirmed that he’d discovered something of interest under the bed.

Jasper studied me with a wary expression. “Don't you think we need to tell Grace what we're doing here first?” 

I shrugged and sat on the bed. “She's busy. No need to worry her. Besides, what could go wrong?” 

Looking for Some Cozy Mystery Bargains?

To check out these Deals CLICK RIGHT HERE - these books are in Kindle Unlimited and/or less than $2.99

How Early Do You Start to Celebrate the Holidays? 

 P.S. It’s November aka: National Novel Writing Month – I’d better get writing!

 

Just a small-town girl, Maureen Bonatch leads a double life. She lives in a magical world as a novelist, and as a nurse leader in reality. Maureen’s first novella was a paranormal romance published when blogs were a new-fangled thing. She’s since changed her focus to writing paranormal cozy mysteries as M.L. Bonatch and urban fantasy as Maureen Bonatch. 

While she’s not busy writing or doing nurse-things, she’s a mom to her twin daughters, bicycling in the beautiful woods of PA with her hubby, doing the bidding of a feisty Shih Tzu, and dancing as much as possible. She believes music can be paired with every mood, laughter is contagious, and that caffeine and wine are essential for survival.

 Follow M.L. Bonatch all through cyberspace! 

 Amazon page    BookBub Facebook Goodreads Newsletter

Coffee, Tea or Cocktails?

 

By Maureen Bonatch 

 

I’ve always been a drinker. It started out with my love of Cherokee Red, and then progressed to Mountain Dew, to Diet Coke, and now, coffee. Or in the evening it’s often herbal tea. And always —water. I’m a huge water drinker. 

A drink can make or break my mood

Such as a good cup of coffee in the morning (vs no coffee in the morning—just think how that can impact your mood if you’re a coffee drinker!), or one to enjoy while visiting with friends and family. Or a glass of wine, or a sipper of tequila—you get my point. 

That’s why several of my series have a bar setting. The first with Destiny Calling and Not a Chance at the Last Call bar. Then, Grandma Must Die, featured a few visits to Switzer Land. It’s the perfect place to visit with friends, and make new ones. 

A Charmed Cocktail Cozy 

It only made sense to create my new charmed cocktail series with a bar setting. Night Moves may be one of the main settings, but some of the focus is on Marissa, my main character, striving to perfect her charmed cocktails and become a stellar witch mixologist. 

 I know, personally, I’ve had mixed drinks that taste like water, or wine that tastes like someone switched it with vinegar, but when you get that perfect drink (alcohol or not) it’s like a little piece of nirvana. At least for me it is. 

That’s Marissa’s talent. When she can make a fabulous charmed cocktail the results can be fabulous, but when she doesn’t quite hit the mark, the results can be anything but! And they might come with some surprising side effects, like her ability to communicate with her cat, Jasper. Along the way Marissa gets herself mixed up in amateur sleuthing to help solve some crimes, all while having a lot of fun and getting into all kinds of shenanigans. 

Want to learn more or preorder? Click right here.

Help Celebrate this New Series with a Giveaway

To kick off the new series, and new pen name, I’m hosting a giveaway for the Charmed Cocktail Series. Here’s all the details of how to enter to win:

 If you like cozy mysteries, cats, and mixed drinks (alcohol optional), then you'll love the Charmed Cocktail Cozy Mystery series from M. L. Bonatch! The first book, CURSES, COCKTAILS, AND CORPSES will be released as part of the WHEN THE CAT'S AWAY collection from Molly Fitz and other cozy mystery authors. Help celebrate this new series by entering this giveaway! Go here now to get all your chances to win: 

 Giveaway link - https://gleam.io/competitions/36N7M-m-l-bonatchs-charmed-cocktail-cozy-mystery- 

 What’s Your Drink of Choice?

Just a small-town girl, Maureen Bonatch leads a double life. She lives in a magical world as a novelist, and as a nurse leader in reality. Maureen’s first novella was a paranormal romance published when blogs were a new-fangled thing. She’s since changed her focus to writing paranormal cozy mysteries as M.L. Bonatch and urban fantasy as Maureen Bonatch. 

While she’s not busy writing or doing nurse-things, she’s a mom to her twin daughters, bicycling in the beautiful woods of PA with her hubby, doing the bidding of a feisty Shih Tzu, and dancing as much as possible. She believes music can be paired with every mood, laughter is contagious, and that caffeine and wine are essential for survival. 

Follow M.L. Bonatch all through cyberspace- she's new in town and can use some friends!

Amazon page

Bookbub 

Facebook  

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Memorable, Forgettable & Annoying Character Traits

 by Maureen Bonatch 

I love a good pair of socks. I can’t describe exactly what makes them ‘good', but I know when I find them, or when I wear them. So the only person who really knows this about me, is me. 

Close friends and family probably know that I always have my Blistex and that I can’t get enough water, read as much as I can and/or that I’m rather introverted until it’s time for dancing. 

I love music, and my favorite artist as a teen and for years after was Prince (even through his time as a symbol and as the artist formerly known as Prince). 

I was heartbroken when he died and then shocked at how many people reached out to me on social media from the present, and way-way in the past, because they remembered that I loved his music. Some of my Prince CD collection...

Character Traits 

You might say these are things that might be identified as my character traits. These are things that other people might notice and remember more than saying I have brown hair or my height—because I’d bet there are a lot of five-foot seven brunettes walking around and unless someone is standing by a ruler, I’d be hard pressed to narrow down their exact height.

 

Think about how you might describe yourself, or how others might explain how to identify you. It might be something a little more subtle, or not-so-subtle like my hubby. More than one person who didn’t know his name has referred to him as, ‘that big, loud guy.’ 

 These are also things that help make the characters in a story memorable, whether you’re reading the story, or writing it. 

Character traits are what bring me back to a series to revisit those characters I love, or what stops me from reading further because I can’t relate to them, or they annoy me.

 Memorable Characters 

As a reader, I love to find a new favorite character and then discover that they have an ongoing series. Just like hanging with a good friend, I want to visit them again and again. As a writer, it can be challenging to craft that character that is memorable and that a reader can relate to. 

In addition, when you’re writing a series, you have to want to stay with that character for a long time so it’s helpful to like them and enjoy their company.

 I still recall the very first novel I wrote (still in a ‘drawer’, suffering through many edits, but still may never see the light of day). When someone reviewed that story for me they said that my hero sounded like an a$$hole. Umm…not much of a hero, lol. 

 Sadly, their assessment made sense, but I was grateful that they shared that because it really helped me understand the importance of fleshing out a character—and that sarcasm doesn’t always come across well. 

 Speaking of characters, let me introduce you to Marissa

I’ve been spending a lot of time with her as the protagonist of my Charmed Cocktail Cozy series. Her pink hair might make her memorable in appearance, but I’m hoping her kind heart, quirky sense of humor and dogged determination to overcome her lackluster spelling abilities make her a character you want to get to know better. 

Hi, I’m Marissa Hale. I took a summer job at a nightclub in Florida to escape the cold Pennsylvania winter, and to visit Gran. Although staying with Gran at the retirement condo with a bunch of nosey witches becomes the least of my worries when I stumble upon a corpse in the club freezer. 

I can only hope to avoid making this a permanent vacation in the slammer by solving this murder mystery with the help of Gran, a talking cat, and a demon with a real devil-doesn’t-care attitude. 

Curses, Cats & Corpses in the first in the Charmed Cocktail Cozy series and available for preorder now with 10 other author stories in When the Cat’s Away. 

USA Today bestselling author Molly Fitz has gathered a fantastically talented group of emerging and established talent in the Cozy Mystery genre. Together, she and her ten author friends are ready to present the ultimate bookworm staycation.

Pre-Order your copy now: 

https://mollymysteries.com/WTCA_Kindle 

https://mollymysteries.com/WTCA_Apple 

https://mollymysteries.com/WTCA_Nook 

https://mollymysteries.com/WTCA_Kobo 

Just a small-town girl, Maureen Bonatch leads a double life. She lives in a magical world as a novelist, and as a nurse leader in reality. Maureen’s first novella was a paranormal romance published when blogs were a new-fangled thing. She’s since changed her focus to writing paranormal cozy mysteries as M.L. Bonatch and urban fantasy as Maureen Bonatch. 

While she’s not busy writing or doing nurse-things, she’s a mom to her twin daughters, bicycling in the beautiful woods of PA with her hubby, doing the bidding of a feisty Shih Tzu, and dancing as much as possible. She believes music can be paired with every mood, laughter is contagious, and that caffeine and wine are essential for survival. 

Follow M.L. Bonatch all through cyberspace- she's new in town and can use some friends!

Amazon page

Bookbub 

Facebook  

Goodreads  

Newsletter