Tag: writing

“Running Over the Same Old Ground…”

On By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized12 Comments

(Cue up Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here”…)

Okay, while I’m taking it out of context a bit, I have been stuck in a bit of a loop mentally and emotionally and just trying to figure out a plan for the next few months, and not coming up with very much.

But at the same time, while it feels like I’m not accomplishing very much or being very upward-productive, I have been completing a few things on my to-do list, and backburning some other things. I’m exploring options like FlexJobs (anybody have any experience with them?) to bring in more income.

It does feel a little stuck-in-place, though, as a lot of my progress has been internal, and not readily visible or quantifiable.

I’m getting there, or so I hope, but it’s a very emotional and confusing time, amidst trying to do my small part in the fight against fascism/authoritarianism taking over the United States.

I’ve still managed to contribute to the Horror Tree site when I can. If you want some fictional horror/spec fic to retreat into, check out my interviews and book reviews over there:

https://horrortree.com/author/willowcroft/

I’d love to know what you all are doing to stay safe, and ways you all are fighting the good fight. Share in the comments below…

Until next time…

The “Stories From Within” Project and other news…

On By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized25 Comments

Yes, I’ve been away from WordPress for quite some time. I’ve lost track of how long it’s been since I’ve been on here, reading posts and such. It’s at the point where going back and catching up on all the missed posts from you all is probably a lost cause, because it’s been soooooo long. Apologies to you all.

The good news is that I at least have a place to live and managed to get my belongings safely into a storage unit. I won’t say too much about the place I found, but it’s at least a roof over my head. Well, most importantly, a roof over my cats’ furry little heads.

In short, things were even more stressful and unstable than usual. I’m riding it out here in southern Illinois until December, and am revisiting the idea to move to Virginia, but I am more likely looking at Michigan. Canada is still a ways off due to costs, but I’ll be taking bitty steps as I can towards that emigration goal.

The theme of things right now for me is just “getting through”. Admittedly, like so many others out there, I’ve been horrified, disgusted, appalled, furious, and depressed over the actions of the current Trump administration. While not religious, I’ve also been having a severe crisis of faith about the example Trump and his cronies are displaying…because here are these corrupt, callous, greedy, deplorable people that get handed everything they want–money, power, influence–while so many that are good people and doing good, compassionate, ethical work are trapped at the bottom of this social and political system here in the United States and are lucky to even have the funds to buy food–and forget about healthcare, retirement, or even an adequate and safe place to live.

So this leads me to my idea to record and post people’s stories about the impact Trump and his administration is having on them, either directly or indirectly. If you’d like to participate, or know someone who would, please check out the post on my other blog, here:

https://kirstenleebarger.com/2025/07/13/stories-from-within/

That’s One Dark, Gloomy Spring!

On By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized15 Comments

I realized the other day that I have been so preoccupied with things like, you know, money and bills and moving on a shoestring budget that I had completely let reading you all’s blogs fall completely off my radar.

But I imagine you won’t hold it against me as I am seriously trying to pull off a move with nonexistent funds.

Wish me luck!

In any case, I hope you all are still out there reading, and I hope you enjoy this week’s tarot cards for inspiration and May’s horrorscopes!

https://horrortree.com/may-2024-tarot-cards-for-writing-inspiration/

https://horrortree.com/may-2024-horrorscopes-femme-fatales/

(I’ve narrowed it down to two places, although I had an inquiring phone call from a potential employer with some leads that I’m hoping against hope come about–because it sounds like a dream come true! *crosses fingers*)

I hope all is well with you, and I hope you have some great summer activities planned!

All’s Fair in Love and Noir!

On By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized14 Comments

So, yes, I have been as incognito as a Cold War spy, but work and school have been hectic as my school semesters are going into the “final project” mode!

I hope you enjoy February’s horrorscopes and inspirational tarot card readings! Head down that dark alley at Horror Tree!

Love in the Time of Noir: https://horrortree.com/february-2024-horoscopes-love-in-the-time-of-noir/

February 2024 Tarot Card Reading: https://horrortree.com/february-2024-tarot-cards-for-writing-inspiration/

Beware the Beach!

On By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized27 Comments

And not just because of the higher temperatures!

July’s horrorscopes promise to drag you down to the depths of pure zodiac terror…

https://horrortree.com/july-2023-horrorscopes-how-youll-die-at-the-beach/

And, slightly less terrifying is my tarot card reading for writers/creatives:

https://horrortree.com/july-2023-tarot-cards-for-writing-inspiration/

In other news, I’ve started doing book reviews for The Horror Tree. Simply search the HT website for “Epeolatry Book Review” to access tons of great book reviews from myself and others–a perfect opportunity to find your next summer (or midwinter) read!

Lastly, I may be more of a ghost around the WordPress world, at least while I transition into a new schedule (and, perhaps, even after that).

I’ll be working full time, going back to school full time, and making sure my kitties get enough attention (not that they’d let me forget!), and I’m trying to organize a concerned citizen advocacy group here to act on behalf of nonhuman animals here in small-town Kansas–with the hope it will turn into a nonprofit someday. Because this place has an abysmal track record when it comes to animals and animal welfare–as some of you may remember from the heartbreaking owl incident.

So, yes, apologies in advance if I’m not as active over the coming months on here as I should be.

Summer is Abuzz with Horror!

On By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized12 Comments

One of the few things I actually like about summer (I’m an autumn aficionado!) is the return of the insects and other creepy crawly life forms.

For the set of June horoscopes I did over at Horror Tree, I wanted to attract attention to insects that are threatened/endangered by the activities of people.

Hope you enjoy, and remember to look where you step…there’s a whole world of amazing lifeforms at your feet!

https://horrortree.com/june-2023-horrorscopes-the-creatures-that-skitter-in-the-night/

As I’ve been trying to figure a lot of stuff out over the past few weeks, I drew upon that energy for June’s tarot reading as well.

https://horrortree.com/june-2023-tarot-card-reading-for-writers-and-creators/

I’m sadly still playing catch-up and not quite back into my usual schedule yet, and 99.9% of the time I’m not even sure what day it is, much less anything else. But I’m making progress, however slowly.

What are your summer plans? Reading anything good so far?

Getting Away From It All…From the Comfort of Home!

On By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized10 Comments

Let’s settle down in the comfort of our (dream) homes, or find the gateway to the world of our dreams!

[I started a new day job, but somehow things are more chaotic than ever. I’m running behind on blog-reading and such, and, unfortunately, my prediction is that’ll have to continue for the next couple of weeks, as there’s some big changes (hopefully!) coming over the next few weeks. And, holy heck, am I tired as all get out. I’m gettin’ too old for that pesky thing called work! Ha!]

But here’s my “Tarot Cards for Inspiration” for April…as well as my mock horoscopes!

I’d love to hear what dream home you’ll lay your pen in!

https://horrortree.com/april-2023-tarot-cards-for-writing-inspiration/

https://horrortree.com/april-2023-horoscopes-home-is-where-the-pen-is/

The Glowing Neon of Spring!

On By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized21 Comments

Rabbit Book

It’s been a busy week,  so this’ll be short and sweet. My “Cultivating Inspiration” post is up over at Horror Tree in all its (neon!) glory!

Go get creative, and Happy Spring Equinox, everybody! (If you’re in Fall Equinox mode where you are, feel free to search Horror Tree for the post I did last year).

https://horrortree.com/putting-the-neon-back-into-spring-cultivating-inspiration-in-2023/

Oh, and it’s World Rewilding Day, so go out and make things Wild again!

https://rewilding.org/

Give the Groundhog Lots of Love Today!

On By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized27 Comments

Groundhog

Happy Groundhog Day! Doesn’t this groundhog look adorable? Or at least in need of a hug*!

Speaking of affection, you don’t have to wait another six months for the “romantic” holiday known as Valentine’s Day (Or Galentine’s Day)!

So, yes, I did create some lovey-dovey themed horoscopes, and did a tarot card reading…Horror Tree style, of course!

Hope you enjoy–with one click, and a happily-ever-after can be yours…or for your literary characters!

february-horoscope-fae

february-2023-tarot-cards-for-writers

How will you be celebrating Groundhog Day or Valentine’s Day in your realm?

*Giving random wildlife hugs is not a good idea, in real life. Just in case.

The Calm Right Smack in the Middle of the Storm!

On By Willow CroftIn Uncategorized48 Comments

I put up a website for my not-so-secret other identity!

It took a while to get there, behind the scenes, for sure.

I just wanted there to be a place where I could redirect people to if they wanted to know more about the services I offer. 

I wasn’t even looking for anything fancy; a simple page that was more like a profile or a placeholder or whatever you call it.

I was having such problems with the complexity of the web design process (to those of you who helped with prior incarnations of the attempted website adventure–thank you! If you’re reading this, you know who you are!).

I didn’t want to go through WordPress for this, as it felt like overkill for the simple site I wanted, and I wasn’t looking at taking on another blog, and I just found using both Wix and Weebly to be a headache of a different flavour (yes, again, you think I would have learned from my first go-round with both platforms, but apparently not! Ha!).

And then an email from Mailchimp popped into my inbox when I was catching up on emails, telling me they were now offering website design through them.

What the heck, I said. And I gave it a try. 

It was exactly what I needed at this juncture, when I’m trying to bring in some $$$ as cheaply as possible (I chose the free version, of course) but it was perfect. I can go in and reedit it as I need to, I had just the stock photos I was looking for, and I could have the simple, basic, one-pager I needed, and I can upgrade when I get some income coming in and I continue to grow my preexisting business. 

I don’t get up to a lot of promo stuff on this blog (well, except for books and nonhuman animal- and environmental rights, that is!) but holy cow, I would completely recommend Mailchimp website feature!

I have been so stressed and overwhelmed and so oddly emotional and I just needed to have this free website process be easy and uncomplicated–a page I could just set it and leave it and I wouldn’t even have to maintain on a regular basis. And in this world where all this tech that should be making our lives easier instead feels like it makes our lives 100 percent more complicated, Mailchimp was like an oasis.

For real.

I can’t speak for the expanded and paid versions, but I feel that if my initial experience using Mailchimp’s free web design feature is anything to go by, Mailchimp is innovatingly mindful in this chaotic world.

Here’s the link to the simple website I did–please let me know what you think in the comments below!

(Honestly, though, I’m just so relieved to have it done, finally! It seems like a website would be such a small thing in the grand scheme of things, but it felt like a mountain-sized load!)

A big shout-out once again to Mailchimp!

https://kirsten-lee-barger.mailchimpsites.com/