tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68471953215335689902026-03-27T17:25:28.068-06:00That Rebel with a BlogThe Writing and Musings of a Southern-Fried Earth AngelOlivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.comBlogger447125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-41952000792376885672025-07-30T13:13:00.001-06:002025-07-30T13:13:38.874-06:00Color Me ShockedHi there and welcome!After a sudden influx of readers visiting That Rebel with a Blog, I decided I should write a post and investigate. I don't know what is sending you here. My website (ojbarre dot com) is bye-bye (since May-ish) because Wix kept jacking up the prices, then charged my account several weeks in advance. Then:I lost access to my olivia at ojbarre gmail because, you guessed it,Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-62303383666382562152023-07-31T16:21:00.004-06:002025-11-07T08:21:59.052-07:00Retired? Me? Nah...Wow. Has it really been three months since I last saw your shining faces? I've been up to big things since then. For one, I pulled my ebooks out of Kindle Unlimited at the end of May. Why? Because I kept seeing posts on Instagram about pirated books and author accounts being closed by Amazon with no warning. Etcetera. Enough to make me goosey.Then, I kept putting off "going wide", which is aOlivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-17847209137728820792023-04-03T11:14:00.002-06:002023-04-03T11:14:26.035-06:00Craft Fairs, Book Signings, and Other Fun StuffGood gosh, a'mighty! Three months? It's been three months since I last posted? Boy, did I miss a LOT!In a nutshell:I'm still alive;I'm still writing Awen Tide and am very near THE END (for the whole trilogy, woohoo!);Spring has sprung in most parts of the US. We're seeing signs and having some warmer days here in Cheyenne, Wyoming, but winter still has us in its grips. There's another storm Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-62756688512129747582022-12-02T13:39:00.007-07:002022-12-03T08:17:24.263-07:00Feeling FragileI'm tired of being fragile.And when, pray tell, did this happen? One day I'm a hellion carving my way through the world, the next, I'm this ephemeral... thing.And just how did this happen? Is it a function of aging, compounded by letting go of my day job and relying on Social Security to pay my way? Or is it the breaking down of my body compounded by my shitty diet and lack of exercise these daysOlivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-87889814627615192252022-11-11T10:42:00.001-07:002022-11-11T10:42:31.427-07:00November News - Words, Snow, Review, & a $300 Gift CardIt is getting colder in Cheyenne, Wyoming, but my writing has heated up. So far, during the month of November, I've added 12,000 words (representing several chapters) to Awen Tide, bringing it to 90K out of what will end up being around 120K. Or so.Then, last Friday, November 6, we had our first significant snowfall of the year, getting 6 inches in 6 hours. The next day, the winds screamed in andOlivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-47805530092999204432022-09-27T10:21:00.006-06:002022-09-27T10:21:45.001-06:00Wild Wyoming & Online Fantasy/Sci Book FairHopefully, you’ve had a fantastic summer. And now that we’re coasting into the colorful Fall Season, temperatures are cooler in much of the Northern Hemisphere, including my new home in Cheyenne, Wyoming.First, let me tell you about C. L. Cannon’s (Online) Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fall Book Fair. It is in full swing, and there are over 150 Sci-Fi and Fantasy books listed. Some are free to Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-84605435029020761302022-09-02T13:52:00.005-06:002022-09-02T13:52:36.016-06:00I'm Walking on Sunshine, Whoa!Yesterday, I received the link to the Kirkus Review for Awen Rising and have been smiling ever since. I had prayed that the person assigned the review would 'get' Awen Rising. Why? Because there are a few out there who don't.My prayer was answered. Not only did the reviewer 'get' Awen Rising, they were obviously delighted and gave it a glowing review. I'm pretty sure they left a 5-star rating on Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-83709076200393497082022-08-23T10:04:00.009-06:002022-08-25T09:01:47.496-06:00Moving & Retirement AnxietyThis time last week, the movers were done unloading us at our new place in Cheyenne. I was making our beds, exhausted and on my last ounce of strength. The thought of climbing between the sheets was all that kept me going.Since then, we have unpacked most of the kitchen and our bed and bath stuff, though much is still in boxes in the garage. We're slowly pulling out what is needed and relegating Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-58833408494064153632022-07-21T12:24:00.000-06:002022-07-21T12:24:31.768-06:00Three Weeks and CountingIt's official! The Idaho house is under contract, closing on Friday, August 12th, and the Wyoming townhouse closes soon after - on Monday, August 15th.That means we have three weeks to line up a mover, get packed, out of this house, and on to Cheyenne.Gulp.There's much left to do. Including, for me, having a benign (but large-ish) tumor removed from my chest. I started the process over a month Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-76175825917793332952022-06-25T16:58:00.014-06:002022-06-26T11:49:22.045-06:00Another Day, Another... MOVE?!My life is in turmoil again. But, hell's bells. When is it not? Especially these last few years?I am moving again. This time to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Yes, you read that right. This Georgia girl is moving to Wyoming. Why? My sister, the reason I moved to Idaho in the first place, has decided she wants to be close to her grandbabies. Havilah is nine. Donovan is five. And they grow up so fast.I 🖤Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-53557240706007282062022-06-13T11:37:00.002-06:002022-06-13T11:37:26.388-06:00Publication Delay + Free ChaptersIt is now official. And while it may seem like old news, the last day to upload Awen Tide's manuscript to make the extended preorder release date has passed. I knew it was coming, and as I told you before, I felt lower than whale poo about delaying publication. Then this morning, I received the anticipated (but dreaded) communique from KDP.Oddly enough, this message brought a sense of Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-80675959096712053042022-05-14T14:37:00.010-06:002022-06-05T09:02:13.708-06:00Awen Rising is in SPFBO 8!Awen Rising is officially entered in SPFBO 8! Read Awen Rising"What is that," you ask?Good question. It stands for Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off. 2022 is SPFBO's eighth year and as the title implies, it is open to self-published fantasy books (stand-alone or first in series). The competition lasts for a year with the final winner chosen from a field (this year) of 300 fantasy books. Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-33444630725450074022022-04-17T13:14:00.001-06:002022-04-17T13:17:15.585-06:00Coming Down from the CrossTo those who celebrate, Happy Easter. I am home alone with Rambo, and my sister is in Cheyenne with her grandbabies. I did watch Pastor Derek's live online service. And I will spend time in nature thanking God Almighty.But I have been suffering, and what better time to lay down my cross?I am weary, exhausted, stressed to the max, riddled with anxiety, my health is declining, and Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-34687118723143527642022-03-06T14:24:00.006-07:002022-03-06T14:24:48.080-07:00Looking Forward to SpringHello, March! It's almost Spring!In the Southwest corner of Idaho, Spring comes late. But its first signs are everywhere.Nampa, ID - March 4th - Sap RisingThe sap is rising in the trees and bushes, coloring their branches yellow, red, and other hues of spring. And some have even pushed out leaf buds, like the Roses of Sharon in the downtown lot where I park for work.Yesterday, I searched our Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-58951621760985820482022-01-24T07:26:00.005-07:002022-01-24T07:29:07.884-07:00You Are Not AloneThis morning I woke in immense fear. Fear for my life. Fear for my health. Fear for my livelihood. Fear for my family. Fear for my friends. Fear for my world.I know I'm not the only one.This fear feels so real, so big, so overwhelming. But I learned long ago that the antidote for fear is faith. God is bigger than our fear. Bigger than our aloneness. Bigger than a pandemic. Bigger than a world Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-8691176812432590742021-12-31T10:57:00.002-07:002022-01-04T09:30:54.028-07:00The Matrix - As I See ItHello. My name is Olivia (aka O. J.), and I finally GET The Matrix.Seriously.I saw it way back when. But I didn't get it. Nor did I get it the countless times I've tried to watch it since—on DVD, cable, streaming, whatever. So I haven't seen the sequels, either.But occasionally, I get this nagging feeling whenever The Matrix comes up in a thread on Twitter or some other conversation. I should getOlivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-72362022034243931882021-12-05T09:50:00.005-07:002021-12-12T06:42:38.318-07:00The Winds They Are a-Changin' My last post was in desperation. I could no longer continue beating my head against a brick wall—trying to promote my books with success.Yes, I garnered seventy-eight reviews with an average rating of 4.40/5 for Awen Rising. That is no small feat and an excellent rating, especially for a new and unknown author. I am proud of that. But the sales have not followed.My Amazon KDP free promos Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-42220225638893094632021-11-27T06:28:00.001-07:002021-11-28T07:18:24.935-07:00I Give UpI give up.It seems that no matter what I do or say, my ads don't work.People don't click or buy my book/s, even when the deals are sweet.So I give up.No more ads.No more social media.No more schmoozing.No more wondering why.My books are well-written, well-researched, well-edited.They get good reviews.People tell me they love them.And I do get a few sales here and there.But not enough to warrant Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-802135162168574872021-11-22T11:23:00.002-07:002021-12-06T08:21:13.333-07:00Signed Paperbacks - 40% OffMY SIGNED, PERSONALIZED PAPERBACK SALE IS EXTENDED THROUGH NEW YEAR'S DAY!AAAANNND - YOU CAN BUY EITHER BOOK FOR $10 OR BOTH FOR $20 - AND HAVE THEM PERSONALIZED TO YOUR ORDER.MUST ORDER BY 12/10/21 to receive in time for Christmas. *************************ORIGINAL POST**************There is a first time for everything. And this is the first time my paperbacks have been "on sale".For a Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-81609688027352597422021-10-30T12:14:00.004-06:002021-10-30T12:16:52.757-06:00Bloody Head? Open a Window.How many times do you beat your head against a door before you give up and open a window?If you're like me, the answer is MANY.For the last two weeks, or however long it's been since I wrote that last scene for Khenko Blitherstone, I have been fiddling with the Awen Tide manuscript to no avail.It all started when I went back to the beginning and read Chapter One and spit-shined it. That Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-87736355164641890582021-10-24T08:40:00.003-06:002021-10-24T08:40:30.822-06:00Thank You, Dear ReadersThank you for listening to my wacky wanderings, reading the stuff I share, and for sticking with me through thick and thin.I know I get excited and post way too much about my books - and I apologize for that - but writing is such a big part of my life today that it's hard for me not to carry on about it. Or to even spam you now and again, especially when I have a free/$.99 promo going on - like Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-36659657419204244152021-10-21T10:59:00.001-06:002021-10-21T10:59:25.320-06:00Samhain Steals and Fall FeelsThat Samhain (pronounced Sow-in) time of year is upon us when the nights grow longer and the days fly by in the Northern Hemisphere. Soon we'll be breaking out our favorite puffer coats and flannel sheets.I am fresh off a 3-day trip to the Idaho mountains, where it was chilly and gray. But I got a much-needed rest in the quiet of nature. On the one sunny day, we drove to Tamarack Resort. It is Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-4357770158838752152021-10-11T13:37:00.002-06:002021-10-17T16:25:36.970-06:00Face Plant Central: Obey the Muse, Or ElseI fell on my face. Literally.It happened two days ago, on Saturday afternoon. I worked that morning at the day job, and ran home to eat a bite before leaving for a friend's wedding. At sixty-nine, she met a wonderful man. I had been looking forward to watching her walk down that plank aisle.It was not meant to be.That morning, a nagging about Covid and being in close quarters with other Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-39815219730260217392021-09-21T14:45:00.017-06:002021-09-21T15:38:47.665-06:00Dump and Burn I.Am.Angry.There. I said it. I'm angry.It is a righteous anger. A better-than-this anger. A get-out-of-my-way anger. A white-hot, searing, eff-you-and-your-horse anger.That burns no one but me.I suck it up rather than spitting it out. Then it rots my insides, eating away at my creativity, my motivation, my drive.So I sulk.Hide.Mumble curses beneath my breath, calling things and people who Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6847195321533568990.post-10761965433664352912021-09-07T20:30:00.005-06:002021-12-05T11:40:49.752-07:00Once in a New Moon I. AM. STOKED.Today was a good day. An exceptional day. A red letter day.Funny. I don't write that, or think that, often. Huh. In fact, it's a rarity. Here's one. And another.This writing gig can get hard at times. Especially as an indie. Indie authors do EVerything. From idea to finished product to publishing and promoting.But once in a new moon, the veil parts a little, and a way Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barréhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01107021392937169669noreply@blogger.com3