It's 9AM
I like when I learn something.
Like yesterday.
I learned two things.
One I sort of knew because I wrote about it a long time ago.
But I forgot to remember it.
The other I knew by theory, if not practice, and also because I had looked long ago and wondered about it.
The first thing I learned yesterday was how to troubleshoot an HVAC system.
And then learned how to replace a capacitor.
Like most things, trouble shooting is testing a part or piece to determine where the break down happens.
A disconnect between what’s supposed to happen and what happens.
It’s the same in most mechanical systems.
When you tell a mechanic car no go, he starts testing pieces of why it won’t.
AC systems are the same.
If this is working, then that ain’t it.
Move on to the next part.
I got lucky.
Narrowed down the two pieces based on what was working and what was not happening.
Then I watched a video about the codes, and got my lightbulb moment.
Though it was more a tiny digital blinking light.
Count the blinks, match it to the key and wham bam there’s the problem.
And I thought…
It couldn’t be that simple.
But…
By luck and happenstance (which is a great title for a book, I think)
The neighbor had an AC problem and a tech showing up.
I got the dude to come over for three minutes because that’s all he could spare, and asked two questions.
And he confirmed what was wrong and how to fix it.
Then a bonus.
Where to go to get the part that day from where a lot of contractors get their parts.
Cheap.
Which I did.
So a $179 service and repair bill got knocked down to $30 for the price of a handshake and a morning.
It took me five minutes to fix, after a thirty minute round trip to the store.
Lucky.
And yet, I got questioned about why it took so long to fix.
The morning and trip.
How it would have been easier just to pay someone to do it earlier.
Even though no one else was home, but the dogs and I.
Which is the bane of the “I’ll figure it out crowd.”
If you give me enough time, I have just a smidgeon enough curiosity to figure out how to get it done.
Or learn that I can’t.
Still, it’s hitting 90 today and tomorrow and part of Thursday, so that quick little fix that replaced the capacitor will be welcome.
The second thing I learned was to remember just how much opportunity there is when you finish a book.
And I don’t do a good enough job of reminding you.
Because some folks only want to get their reading on AMAZON.
They don’t want to buy direct from the author.
They only want paperbacks because ebooks don’t feel the same.
Or they want their book on Barnes and Noble or Apple or translated.
Some of which I’ve forgotten to do because of a focus on something else.
A few years ago, I wrote an article for a writer’s zine about seven streams of income from each book.
But I wasn’t taking advantage of all of them.
I would get too busy on the next project, which could have been a book, or a video or marketing.
A lot of marketing.
Plus I had to deal with the day to day of working, which ate up a lot of time and brain space.
Yesterday, someone reminded me of several things I’ve left off the to do list AND how to make it all happen.
She was awesome about it, even though she’s a lot higher up that income mountain than I am right now.
And she writes paranormal romance, which has a huge voracious appetite for good stories.
She said she read my article and it helped her back then.
Which made me tingle a little bit, because I like getting some words or thoughts down on paper that touch people.
Or help or move them enough to unsubscribe or rant or sit and reflect on their own childhood.
You know, touched.
I’ve told you about going wide, but haven’t sent you the links so you can see.
I’ve told you about building the direct store as an alternative to Amazon, and getting the backlist up, but have concentrated on ebooks at the expense of paperbacks.
And of course, the audiobooks up on Youtube, which are free for you to hear, and growing.
But…
They are not available in every form on every site, of which there are some big ones, and a lot of little ones missing.
She reminded me to remind you where they are so you can get them how you like, not just direct from me.
Which is a good lesson to learn because it reminds me of how much alike you and I are.
I like to get some books on Kindle Unlimited, I like to grab some books in paperback so I can read them in the sun, cold beer in hand.
I like some free books from promos so I can find new authors (and if you are an author, email me so I can share your book too).
And I like to support the authors I like so they can keep doing what they are doing.
In all the ways they like to do it, even if I only want to get the one way.
Yesterday, I learned two things.
Today, I hope I learn more.
You can do two things today.
Grab a book to support a new author from the October free promo
And do some direct support for your friend Chris, so he can write more/get translations/get covers.
AND most important, take some time to learn something new today.
I know that’s three, but you know I like to give bonuses!
I added OPERATIVE for you to listen to FREE today. Check it out.
Go grab your copy of THE SHADOWBOXER FILES Boxset Today!
Or The Marshal of Magic Boxset, if you want a little magic in your life.
Plus find some new fave’s here:
October Crime Thriller Giveaway
AND
PLUS