in which she asks for an opinion.

As I sit in my fishbowl (aka my office) and stare across the hall through Chip’s window, I realize today is a wasted work day. Sure I’ve done some work–but if I’m truly being honest–I pretty much pissed the day away.

Oh well. Such is life.

I have an early morning tomorrow since check in for the 5K is at 7:15. Yes, I’m voluntarily getting out of bed on a Saturday before 8 a.m. to exercise. Somebody take my temperature. Something just ain’t right.

Alright, alright. I know you don’t care about that shit. You are only here to give me an opinion. Really, how self important of you.

Okay, so I’m buying some domain names so that the Fishdog can get to work on my new website. I currently have a very old and outdated site: McKenzieFrancis.com We’re gonna update the look to fit my current writing and to reflect my YA books. (Bite Me! and untitled book 2, HarperCollins, coming not so soon, to a bookstore near you!)

I want to write under the name Melissa McKenzie Francis and that domain name is available in both dot com and dot net. I’m not sure if I can write under the whole name or not. It’s long…so it will take up a lot of the book cover. But, I think I should be able to, I mean, it’s exactly the same number of letters as Susan Elizabeth Phillips...and she’s awesome. And multi-published. I think that’s a sign. 🙂 Since she goes by SEP does that mean I could go by MMF? (NO. Not MF, assheads….MMF. I swear, you people are sooo immature.)

Melissa Francis dot net is available but dot com is owned by a little girl in the UK who never updates her site but continues to renew it. Grumble.

Then there’s also Mel Francis or MMFrancis.

Tell me, oh blog readers… who am I?

in which she asks for an opinion.

As I sit in my fishbowl (aka my office) and stare across the hall through Chip’s window, I realize today is a wasted work day. Sure I’ve done some work–but if I’m truly being honest–I pretty much pissed the day away.

Oh well. Such is life.

I have an early morning tomorrow since check in for the 5K is at 7:15. Yes, I’m voluntarily getting out of bed on a Saturday before 8 a.m. to exercise. Somebody take my temperature. Something just ain’t right.

Alright, alright. I know you don’t care about that shit. You are only here to give me an opinion. Really, how self important of you.

Okay, so I’m buying some domain names so that the Fishdog can get to work on my new website. I currently have a very old and outdated site: McKenzieFrancis.com We’re gonna update the look to fit my current writing and to reflect my YA books. (Bite Me! and untitled book 2, HarperCollins, coming not so soon, to a bookstore near you!)

I want to write under the name Melissa McKenzie Francis and that domain name is available in both dot com and dot net. I’m not sure if I can write under the whole name or not. It’s long…so it will take up a lot of the book cover. But, I think I should be able to, I mean, it’s exactly the same number of letters as Susan Elizabeth Phillips...and she’s awesome. And multi-published. I think that’s a sign. 🙂 Since she goes by SEP does that mean I could go by MMF? (NO. Not MF, assheads….MMF. I swear, you people are sooo immature.)

Melissa Francis dot net is available but dot com is owned by a little girl in the UK who never updates her site but continues to renew it. Grumble.

Then there’s also Mel Francis or MMFrancis.

Tell me, oh blog readers… who am I?

the embodiment of perfect pumpitude…

I am seeing a personal trainer two days a week. Rose–she may sound like a delicate little flower, but don’t let her name fool you–Rose is a big meanie. And the stupid thing is, I’m paying her to be mean to me.

It’s hard for me to remember my days of athleticism. I played basketball, softball, and (begrudgingly) ran track. I played volleyball one year and dabbled with tennis in college. I lifted weights and played football with the boys on the weekend. I was an athlete.

Now, here’s the thing…even though I’m a large Marge, I’m still a very active chick. I walk and run and still play softball or basketball on occasion. I’m overweight but I’m not inactive. However, I hate the way I look in the mirror, so I’m trying my darndest to lose some of this extra padding.

I just don’t understand why I can’t lose weight while sitting on the couch drinking my Sierra Nevada. It’s really not fair.

I’m walking in the Double Decker 5K this weekend, so I tell Rose when I show up for my torture session to please take it easy on my legs so I can walk on Saturday. I shoulda just kept my damn mouth shut. She made me do two extra sets of walking lunges (somebody just shoot me) and today’s magic # was 25. So everything I did was in sets of 25.

I’m going to be so sore tomorrow.

Why couldn’t she just work me out the Hans and Franz way?

the embodiment of perfect pumpitude…

I am seeing a personal trainer two days a week. Rose–she may sound like a delicate little flower, but don’t let her name fool you–Rose is a big meanie. And the stupid thing is, I’m paying her to be mean to me.

It’s hard for me to remember my days of athleticism. I played basketball, softball, and (begrudgingly) ran track. I played volleyball one year and dabbled with tennis in college. I lifted weights and played football with the boys on the weekend. I was an athlete.

Now, here’s the thing…even though I’m a large Marge, I’m still a very active chick. I walk and run and still play softball or basketball on occasion. I’m overweight but I’m not inactive. However, I hate the way I look in the mirror, so I’m trying my darndest to lose some of this extra padding.

I just don’t understand why I can’t lose weight while sitting on the couch drinking my Sierra Nevada. It’s really not fair.

I’m walking in the Double Decker 5K this weekend, so I tell Rose when I show up for my torture session to please take it easy on my legs so I can walk on Saturday. I shoulda just kept my damn mouth shut. She made me do two extra sets of walking lunges (somebody just shoot me) and today’s magic # was 25. So everything I did was in sets of 25.

I’m going to be so sore tomorrow.

Why couldn’t she just work me out the Hans and Franz way?

buy this book!

My friend, A.E. Rought has a new book out….so go buy it.

You can buy the paperback here

or

You can buy the e-book here

Look at this hot cover. Now, go buy the book.

ISBN: 1-59998-103-3
Cover art by Anne Cain

She controls the Elements, but he controls her heart.

Book One of The Chronicles of Nuermar.

Nuermar’s history is whittled in ruins, its prophecy carved in stone. Maelis, child of the Prophecies, is the last of her kind — a green-eyed witch, and the only one whom the stones of Nuermar say can channel the Elements. She alone has the power to vanquish the evil that reigns over her land. But without the greatest element of all, she has no hope of winning such an impossible battle.

A turncoat-assassin holds the key to her ultimate triumph. Yet the destruction of her village and the brutal slaughter of Maelis’ family lies on Joran’s hands. Can she overcome her hatred in order to fulfill the Prophecies and channel the ultimate Element – Love?

  1. “A.E. Rought delivers an exciting and intriguing fantasy tale which will capture the reader’s attention from the very first paragraph and refuse to let it loose. The world-building is excellent and the story left this reviewer eager for the return to this world with the next in the series! Caution to readers: there are some scenes of graphic violence.”

  2. Nuermar’s Last Witch is a wondrously magical adventure in a battle against good and evil, A.E. Rought has created a fantasy world that opens the door to love and passion. Readers will be able to experience a world like no other filled with amazing creations that will leave them in awe.”

  3. “Nuermar’s Last Witch blends second chances and forgiveness with a fantastic fantasy plot. Both Joran and Maelis are very complex characters, well drawn and multi-layered. It was a full read that was very fulfilling. I really rooted for Maelis’ emotional journey and her determination to save everyone. Due to the past emotional baggage of the characters, the romance plot was very fulfilling and I felt as if I’d been on a very full journey with the author. I’m very interested to read any upcoming books in this series.”

buy this book!

My friend, A.E. Rought has a new book out….so go buy it.

You can buy the paperback here

or

You can buy the e-book here

Look at this hot cover. Now, go buy the book.

ISBN: 1-59998-103-3
Cover art by Anne Cain

She controls the Elements, but he controls her heart.

Book One of The Chronicles of Nuermar.

Nuermar’s history is whittled in ruins, its prophecy carved in stone. Maelis, child of the Prophecies, is the last of her kind — a green-eyed witch, and the only one whom the stones of Nuermar say can channel the Elements. She alone has the power to vanquish the evil that reigns over her land. But without the greatest element of all, she has no hope of winning such an impossible battle.

A turncoat-assassin holds the key to her ultimate triumph. Yet the destruction of her village and the brutal slaughter of Maelis’ family lies on Joran’s hands. Can she overcome her hatred in order to fulfill the Prophecies and channel the ultimate Element – Love?

  1. “A.E. Rought delivers an exciting and intriguing fantasy tale which will capture the reader’s attention from the very first paragraph and refuse to let it loose. The world-building is excellent and the story left this reviewer eager for the return to this world with the next in the series! Caution to readers: there are some scenes of graphic violence.”

  2. Nuermar’s Last Witch is a wondrously magical adventure in a battle against good and evil, A.E. Rought has created a fantasy world that opens the door to love and passion. Readers will be able to experience a world like no other filled with amazing creations that will leave them in awe.”

  3. “Nuermar’s Last Witch blends second chances and forgiveness with a fantastic fantasy plot. Both Joran and Maelis are very complex characters, well drawn and multi-layered. It was a full read that was very fulfilling. I really rooted for Maelis’ emotional journey and her determination to save everyone. Due to the past emotional baggage of the characters, the romance plot was very fulfilling and I felt as if I’d been on a very full journey with the author. I’m very interested to read any upcoming books in this series.”

damn i’m tired

Now I remember why I don’t clean on a regular basis–that’s some tiring shit.

Sad thing is, I’m only partly done. Dammit.

But my bedroom looks great if you don’t look in the closet. And my kitchen, dining room and office area are mostly spotless. But my living room is still a mess and I haven’t touched the boys’ rooms yet– Oh well. I did get a good start on things today. And I got to have beer. At noon. On a Wednesday.

Maybe Fishdog will finish it up for me this weekend. Wonder if I can get him to wear the French Maid outfit?

damn i’m tired

Now I remember why I don’t clean on a regular basis–that’s some tiring shit.

Sad thing is, I’m only partly done. Dammit.

But my bedroom looks great if you don’t look in the closet. And my kitchen, dining room and office area are mostly spotless. But my living room is still a mess and I haven’t touched the boys’ rooms yet– Oh well. I did get a good start on things today. And I got to have beer. At noon. On a Wednesday.

Maybe Fishdog will finish it up for me this weekend. Wonder if I can get him to wear the French Maid outfit?

spring cleaning

Today, Mel-O-Drama becomes Mel-O-Maid. Like my outfit?


It’s very rare that I get sick of the house. Seriously, as I explained before, I can ignore just about everything. Dishes in the sink, clothes on the floor, hairballs the size of goats…you name it, I’ve ignored it.

But, once or twice a year, the cleaning bug hits me. And today, I’m feverish with the need to clean. So, I’ve taken off work so I can whip the house into shape. It really is a 2-3 day job, but I’ll do what I can.

I have made myself a list (list making is also WAY out of character for me) and I am tackling that list one room at a time. When I complete a room, I will sit down for an hour and write (or write until my creativity dries up) and then I will clean another room.

One thing I’m really looking forward to is my beer. That’s right, I have beer to get me through the day. Haha. I get to drink beer while you sad little people have to wait until tonight. There’s a good chance I might be teetering by the time you actually get home to pop open your first bottle. Let me say it again, Haha. Yeah, I’m rubbing it in, it’s what I do.

I’m getting back to cleaning my dining room. My new BFF, Dyson, is providing fantastic company. He was worth every penny I dished out for him. I should pay for my friends more often…

spring cleaning

Today, Mel-O-Drama becomes Mel-O-Maid. Like my outfit?


It’s very rare that I get sick of the house. Seriously, as I explained before, I can ignore just about everything. Dishes in the sink, clothes on the floor, hairballs the size of goats…you name it, I’ve ignored it.

But, once or twice a year, the cleaning bug hits me. And today, I’m feverish with the need to clean. So, I’ve taken off work so I can whip the house into shape. It really is a 2-3 day job, but I’ll do what I can.

I have made myself a list (list making is also WAY out of character for me) and I am tackling that list one room at a time. When I complete a room, I will sit down for an hour and write (or write until my creativity dries up) and then I will clean another room.

One thing I’m really looking forward to is my beer. That’s right, I have beer to get me through the day. Haha. I get to drink beer while you sad little people have to wait until tonight. There’s a good chance I might be teetering by the time you actually get home to pop open your first bottle. Let me say it again, Haha. Yeah, I’m rubbing it in, it’s what I do.

I’m getting back to cleaning my dining room. My new BFF, Dyson, is providing fantastic company. He was worth every penny I dished out for him. I should pay for my friends more often…