Mental Health and Sleep

Posted on May 25, 2025 by Charles Yallowitz

This is why May being a month about mental health and sleep is interesting.  The two are interconnected.  A decline in one causes a decline in the other.  For example:

A person who suffers from anxiety may find this mental illness to be worse at night.  This results in them having panic attacks at night or, at the very least, mediocre sleep.  They will eventually hit a point of sleep deprivation, which causes them to become lethargic and more anxious.  Daily activities become more difficult and you get stressed out over how hard things are.  This makes your sleep worse and can lead to insomnia, which enhances both situations.

Yet, a person who gets enough sleep has the energy to get enough things done that they don’t stress out as much.  Their anxiety is kept at healthy or maybe tolerable levels, so sleep isn’t hindered.  Even if a few blips of bad days happen, the overall stress doesn’t reach a point where a downward spiral occurs.

Another result of poor sleep that can affect mental health is something I learned about when reading about sleep apnea.  To put it bluntly, it can cause brain damage.  Gray matter is reduced and can result in reduced cognition.  The hippocampus is damaged enough to cause memory loss.  You have less white matter and the blood-brain barrier is weakened.  This all causes a rise in mental health issues stemming from an attention deficit and general comprehension problems.

So, what do other people think about the connection between sleep and mental health?  Does it seem obvious?  If so, why do you think we don’t really pay attention to the connection and push ourselves to forego sleep at times?

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Goal Post: A Long Weekend and Hopefully Progress

Posted on May 24, 2025 by Charles Yallowitz

For a short work week, this past one was crazy busy.  My class had a mini-golf field trip one day, which was a lot of fun.  Two students got holes-in-one and everyone had fun even with a few minor blips.  The day after that was the Unified Basketball championship, which is composed of teams with special and general education students.  Our team was defending champions and it was dicey for a while.  They pulled it together though and got the win, which is great for our seniors since it was their last game and they have been there since the beginning.  Next week doesn’t have any exciting events like that, but I’m sure it’ll be busy.

I tired to do some editing for Darwin & the Beast Collector yesterday, but didn’t get as far as I’d hoped.  With 3 chapters to go and 4 days, I thought I could pull it off, but I have a bunch of appointments and meet-ups.  I still think I can definitely get 2 done over breakfast and in the evenings.  Then again, one of the things I had planned was canceled by someone else without my full agreement.  I can’t go into any more about that, but it’s soured my mood.  Might be why I’m editing slower too because letting my mind wander goes to this issue and not the story.

Another problem is I ran into a wrinkle.  A character has this medallion/pocketwatch that makes them invisible to monsters.  I think I had other plans for this thing, but I seem to have forgotten it existed between its introduction and being handed to another character.  It’s mentioned at times, but the character keeps it under his shirt all the time.  I’m not sure if this works or if I should have it be fiddled with in passing a few times throughout the story.  I’m also thinking of making it a strict medallion or locket instead of a pocketwatch since he never checks the time.  His biggest tic is taking a drink from whatever goblet he is holding, but I can’t switch the goblet to the story importance of the medallion since it serves its own purpose.  So, I feel kind of stuck on how to make the medallion truly work and am leaning towards adding it into a few scenes while I type in the edits in June.  Any suggestions even though this is vague?

Reminder that all of my eBooks are 99 cents!

Coming to the end of the school year means events are coming fast and often.  My son had his big chorus concert this week and he is getting a music award in June.  There are other field trips, state tests, Regents exams, various holidays, and overall tension growing among students.  It’s not always a bad tension, but people are getting antsy for the school year to be over.  I think you really see it in special education students because they can be very aware of changes in the atmosphere.  That and many know the end of the year is coming, so those that don’t like changes in routine aren’t happy.  To be fair, I know many adults like this too.

Can’t think of anything else that has happened between the weekends.  That whole foot pain thing is getting better thanks to the compression socks and better shoes.  They still hurt if I walk for too long and in the morning.  Yet, I definitely feel improvement, which is great since I have a weekend of walking ahead of me at the end of June.  Though, I think I can convince my son to let us sit down from time to time.  Anyway, I guess I should jump into the list and maybe I’ll announce the completion of Darwin & the Beast Collector next weekend.

  1. Finish editing Darwin & the Beast Collector.
  2. Rest during the long weekend.
  3. Continue setting up summer posts.  I think I’m already in August.
  4. Let feet rest.
  5. Get a haircut.
  6. Finish watching ‘Konosuba’ and start another show.
  7. Curse the rain that keeps showing up.  This is May.  Where was this crap in April?
  8. Stay healthy since a lot of people around me are getting sick.

I didn’t make a Memorial Day post this year because I didn’t realize when it was.  I also find myself thinking it’s strange to say things like ‘Happy Memorial Day’ and be anything more than solemn and pensive.  Maybe I’m overthinking things.

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The Secret Organization’s Newest Recruit

Posted on May 23, 2025 by Charles Yallowitz

Harpers

Boss- “Welcome to the Hidden Strings, young man.”

Recruit- “I’m in?  That’s great.  Can’t wait to tell my mom.”

B- “Wait . . . I think you forgot that we are a secret society.”

R- “Don’t worry.  My mom can keep a secret.  My sister and brothers can’t, but my mom is safe.”

B- “That’s not for you to decide.”

R- “Who decides?”

B- “Me and I say no because we deal in very delicate situations.”

R- “But my mom-”

B- “She could be killed if your membership is none to the public.”

R- “Oh . . . Then I won’t tell her.”

B- “Good. Now, here is your insignia pin and a cloak with our colors on it.”

R- “Won’t people know I’m a member if they see me wearing this?”

B- “Nobody knows we exist, so you will be safe.”

R- “Then nobody would believe my mom if I told her.”

B- “We aren’t leaving this topic, are we?”

R- “I would like to tell someone about this honor and I don’t have a wife.”

B- “A wife would still be a no.”

R- “Fine. By the way, people do know you exist.”

B- “What?”

R- “Yeah, the Hidden Strings were outed two months ago by some reporter.”

B- “Who could have done that?”

R- “Some guy who was accidentally delivered a membership packet that was meant for the person who used to live in his apartment.  Seems all hideout locations, finances, members, and secret signals were included.”

B- “That’s why we never heard back from that one guy. Maybe we should hire more office staff to keep our books updated.”

R- “I don’t think you should worry.”

B- “Why not?”

R- “People are too busy dealing with personal issues to care about a group that seems to only exist to prevent the sale of black market musical instruments.”

B- “That’s both a relief and kind of hurtful.”

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Run for the Roses

Posted on May 23, 2025 by Charles Yallowitz

I am visiting with Robbie today to talk about my newest tale. She generously offered a review of Goodbye Old Paint, so in a way it’s a two-fer. …

Run for the Roses
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All eBooks Are 99 Cents!

Posted on May 23, 2025 by Charles Yallowitz

I know Memorial Day is an American holiday, but I figured an extended weekend is the best time to make this announcement:

All eBooks are now 99 cents!

This includes:

Crossing Bedlam

Click on the covers to look at the sites and feel free to escape reality with any of these books.  There are paperback versions as well, but I’ve already priced them as low as I can in order to still get $2-3 in royalties.  Enjoy and thanks to anyone who helps spread the word about the price change.

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Poetry Day: Puddle Jumping

Posted on May 22, 2025 by Charles Yallowitz

LOTR

(When did jumping in puddle stop being fun?  I used to love doing it even if my socks got wet.  Then, I became an adult and accidentally stepping into a puddle can ruin my day until I get home.  Is it because I care about my socks and shoes being wet?  Is it a sensory thing?  I just can’t figure out when jumping in puddles stopped being fun.)

We never take the time
To enjoy the puddles in our way
We go around
Or rush on through
Cursing at wet socks

 

We never take a rest
After a pouring rain
To find the nearest puddle
And jump into its midst
With no worries in our mind

 

We never can remember
The last time we played and romped
As children in our galoshes
Or bare feet if we felt bold
That churned puddles in our wake

 

We never can return
To the joy of puddle jumping
Our role is to be mature
Forbidden to splash with glee
At least when we are watched

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7 Tips to Creating A Secret Defense Force in Fiction

Posted on May 21, 2025 by Charles Yallowitz

Harper Symbol

As you can see, I’m still not sure what to call this type of organization.  A cabal or secret society has fairly dark undertones.  For this topic, I’m really trying to lean towards groups that are fighting to protect something.  It could be a kingdom, a terrible secret, or anything that can lead to disaster if it’s damaged.  So, what are some things to keep in mind?

  1. The organization should have a name.  This might sound like a weird one, but many authors will make an important group and not give them a name.  With their goal being so crucial to the survival of something, you would think those in charge would want them to have a name.  It can be something fairly benign, which they can subtly use in conversation without drawing attention.  Doesn’t have to be flashy, especially since they are trying to be a secret.
  2. A goal is needed for this group to both exist and function.  Why were they made and why do they remain?  If they no longer have a purpose then they probably wouldn’t stay together.  For example, a group that came together to prevent a dark god from reviving wouldn’t remain after that god was permanently destroyed.  If they do then an explanation needs to be given.
  3. A key component is them being a secret, but that doesn’t have to mean that they are completely in the shadows.  People can know that they exist, but not who the various members are.  It could even be that all of that is known, but their actual purpose or functioning isn’t known.  Without these secretiveness, the organization’s activities will be easy to disrupt by their enemies.
  4. While you don’t need a hierarchy, there should be some formal organization to these groups.  They can’t be ragtag since they are supposed to be established with a determined goal.  Parts of this aspect would be leadership, how tasks are handed out, territory, rules of conduct, or even smaller groups within the larger one.  To explain that last one, you might have a group that handles information gathering while another takes care of traitors.
  5. Communication between members needs to have some type of subterfuge.  Written and oral messages need to be in code if the characters are in public.  If they are speaking in clear terms then anyone can hear them.  Without this, an author can’t have organization members discuss events in any scene that doesn’t include privacy, which can be a harsh limitation and increase the chance of info dumps.
  6. It doesn’t hurt to create a long history for the organization.  While you might not use all of it in the story, it can help you determine how the members will function.  This can also birth ideas on the organization and hierarchy since you will be thinking about how this group changed over the years.  It can definitely help psychologically.  You would be imagining them as a small, original group and then think about how they would grow into what they need for the story.
  7. Passwords and secret handshakes . . . Not necessary, but they are fun to make.
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Teaser Tuesday: Harbor Battle

Posted on May 20, 2025 by Charles Yallowitz

Cover Art by Alison Hunt

This was the first teaser for War of Nytefall: Lost and it dove right into the beginning of the book.  I used a lot too.  The story takes place 17 years after War of Nytefall: Loyalty, which is when I realized having vampires warring with each other could be extending over years.  I mean, they’re immortal, so they have plenty of time to plan battles and jockey for power.

Continue reading →

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Reading Journals & Craft of Fiction

Posted on May 20, 2025 by Charles Yallowitz

Greetings! Liz Gauffreau with you today with some thoughts about reading as a writer. I fell in love with reading literature in the ninth grade. I …

Reading Journals & Craft of Fiction
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Special Defenders in Fantasy Worlds

Posted on May 19, 2025 by Charles Yallowitz

I thought about this concept when I watched ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ and they brought up the Harpers.  This is a special group of people who protect the Forgotten Realms from various enemies.  They’re kind of political, but the members come from all walks of life.  Very different from the Rangers in the above series, which are specially trained for their group.  So, why are these types of groups so popular and useful in fantasy stories?

I think it really comes down to the mystery and intrigue that comes from their existence, which works for the genre.  Fantasy already has that mystical appeal due to having magic and unearthly creatures.  Any organization that works in the shadows or has a mysterious reputation fits the atmosphere.  It isn’t that different than the Illumanti theories that relate to our own world, but we don’t always see the fictional groups as evil.  Probably because we see their inner workings and know more about them than the groups people believe are pulling the strings here.

These groups tend to be found in one of three categories:

  1. Evil organization that the heroes have to defeat or get around to reach their goals.
  2. Heroic organization that the heroes either work with or join to reach their goals.
  3. An organization that is in the heroes’ way due to a misunderstanding, having something they need, or a slight against them.  This one covers a lot of ground, which is why it’s become increasingly popular.

I do find it interesting that these groups tend to be associated with a political entity.  Even those that claim to be neutral have a habit of getting involved to save a good-natured kingdom from a blatant evil one.  Many have nobles as members, so they are connected to some political entity.  Though, I have noticed a trend for these nobles to be there in secret and not on talking terms with their families.  Still, authors rarely have these groups be anything other than political on some level.

Of course, that would make sense because why else would you have some kind of special group in the shadows.  Some could exist to protect certain areas like rangers defending a herd of unicorn.  Others might be more into spying and gather information for their own benefit, which really is more like a thieves guild.  That kind of leans these organizations further to the political arena in order to justify their existence.  I find that rather limiting though, but I haven’t been able to much else when I consider these kinds of groups.  I think this is because they need a lot of resources and influence in order to be effective, which again puts us closer to politics.

Personally, I do like the idea and I do want to tinker with a few Windemere groups.  I keep going back to adventurers though, but that doesn’t really change anything.  A few ideas can work as well, but my limited writing time keeps them on the backburner.  Maybe one day I’ll get to outline them, which could flush out more of the world’s political landscape.  I guess that’s another benefit of such groups.  They expand on the inner workings of the kingdoms and other parts of society.  Something for me and other authors to possibly keep in mind.

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