Ernest Ortiz Writes Now https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/ My chaotic brain needs a place to stay. Author of The Package trilogy. (Novelette 1 out now!) Mon, 15 Jun 2026 17:33:24 +0000 https://i.snap.as/lcehEm96.jpeg Ernest Ortiz Writes Now https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/ Got a New Laptop https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/got-a-new-laptop?pk_campaign=rss-feed <![CDATA[My wife got me a MacBook Neo for my birthday and I love it so far. It’s light, like the Touch ID button, and it works pretty fast. Definitely an improvement from my last MacBook. While I like Linux as a backup OS, I’ll stick with MacOS as my primary. Haven’t used Windows since they introduced Windows 11 and I’ll never will unless absolutely necessary. Maybe I’ll talk more about my previous laptops on another post. apple laptop linux MacBook MacOS windows a href="https://remark.as/p/ernestortizwritesnow.com/got-a-new-laptop"Discuss.../a !--emailsub-- ]]> My wife got me a MacBook Neo for my birthday and I love it so far. It’s light, like the Touch ID button, and it works pretty fast. Definitely an improvement from my last MacBook.

While I like Linux as a backup OS, I’ll stick with MacOS as my primary. Haven’t used Windows since they introduced Windows 11 and I’ll never will unless absolutely necessary.

Maybe I’ll talk more about my previous laptops on another post.

#apple #laptop #linux #MacBook #MacOS #windows

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]]> https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/got-a-new-laptop Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:58:24 +0000 Taking the Week Off https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/taking-the-week-off?pk_campaign=rss-feed <![CDATA[I’m trying to get The Package done and need a break from posting. Will get back next Monday. Thanks for your patience and support! writing break rest a href="https://remark.as/p/ernestortizwritesnow.com/taking-the-week-off"Discuss.../a !--emailsub-- ]]> I’m trying to get The Package done and need a break from posting. Will get back next Monday. Thanks for your patience and support!

#writing #break #rest

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]]> https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/taking-the-week-off Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:21:25 +0000 Short Story Trilogy Update: Novelette 2 Final Read Through in Progress & Novelette 3 Revision in Progress https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/short-story-trilogy-update-novelette-2-final-read-through-in-progress-and?pk_campaign=rss-feed <![CDATA[I’m going to focus the rest of the week to try to finish The Package series. Novelette 2 will be done before the July deadline. Novelette 3 might be done before the August deadline. Just a reminder, Novelette 1 is out right now. Go to My Books on my menu and click on Novelette 1 link. Again, thanks for your support! writing draft editing novelette shortstory update a href="https://remark.as/p/ernestortizwritesnow.com/short-story-trilogy-update-novelette-2-final-read-through-in-progress-and"Discuss.../a !--emailsub-- ]]> I’m going to focus the rest of the week to try to finish The Package series. Novelette 2 will be done before the July deadline. Novelette 3 might be done before the August deadline.

Just a reminder, Novelette 1 is out right now. Go to My Books on my menu and click on Novelette 1 link.

Again, thanks for your support!

#writing #draft #editing #novelette #shortstory #update

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]]> https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/short-story-trilogy-update-novelette-2-final-read-through-in-progress-and Thu, 04 Jun 2026 19:25:37 +0000 Writing In My Son’s Playpen https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/writing-in-my-sons-playpen?pk_campaign=rss-feed <![CDATA[My condo is small. Space is limited, we have lots of stuff, and there’s barely any room to maneuver. When I enter through the front door and into the living room there’s a 80” x 72” playpen taking up the majority of the space. With the playpen there’s barely enough room to walk around to the couch, stand next to the changing table, and swing the door open to allow people to enter or leave the house. But it’s a good place to write as long as my children don’t climb all over me, which is often. So, I always have my notebook and pencil with me instead of my phone. If you do this, remember two things. Don’t let them grab your notebook and pencil so they can put them in their mouths and don’t focus too much on writing when your children want you to play with them. writing children playpen stayathomedad a href="https://remark.as/p/ernestortizwritesnow.com/writing-in-my-sons-playpen"Discuss.../a !--emailsub-- ]]> My condo is small. Space is limited, we have lots of stuff, and there’s barely any room to maneuver. When I enter through the front door and into the living room there’s a 80” x 72” playpen taking up the majority of the space.

With the playpen there’s barely enough room to walk around to the couch, stand next to the changing table, and swing the door open to allow people to enter or leave the house. But it’s a good place to write as long as my children don’t climb all over me, which is often. So, I always have my notebook and pencil with me instead of my phone.

If you do this, remember two things. Don’t let them grab your notebook and pencil so they can put them in their mouths and don’t focus too much on writing when your children want you to play with them.

#writing #children #playpen #stayathomedad

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]]> https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/writing-in-my-sons-playpen Tue, 02 Jun 2026 16:05:16 +0000 School Vacations from a Parent’s View https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/school-vacations-from-a-parents-view?pk_campaign=rss-feed <![CDATA[I miss school vacations. Just lounging around and playing computer games, going to the library or bookstore, or traveling someplace fun takes the stress of homework and school social events away. Other than helping my parents with chores I can do almost anything I want. Now being a parent of two boys, one of them currently at school and about to have his summer vacation, the tables have turned. My older son is the one having fun while I have to do the chores, errands, and parental duties. And I’m still getting used to it. But the great thing about being a parent is giving my sons the opportunities to have plenty of adventures. Whether it’s traveling to the aquarium, zoo, beach, grocery shopping, participating in play dates, running in the library, or just chilling at the park, it’s great for them to take advantage of their free time. Of course, the main downside is if they’re at home with you all day, all the time, it will drive you crazy. And without the routine of school you have to find a way to keep them educated so they don’t regress. stayathomedad children education family freetime fun parenting school vacation a href="https://remark.as/p/ernestortizwritesnow.com/school-vacations-from-a-parents-view"Discuss.../a !--emailsub-- ]]> I miss school vacations. Just lounging around and playing computer games, going to the library or bookstore, or traveling someplace fun takes the stress of homework and school social events away. Other than helping my parents with chores I can do almost anything I want.

Now being a parent of two boys, one of them currently at school and about to have his summer vacation, the tables have turned. My older son is the one having fun while I have to do the chores, errands, and parental duties. And I’m still getting used to it.

But the great thing about being a parent is giving my sons the opportunities to have plenty of adventures. Whether it’s traveling to the aquarium, zoo, beach, grocery shopping, participating in play dates, running in the library, or just chilling at the park, it’s great for them to take advantage of their free time.

Of course, the main downside is if they’re at home with you all day, all the time, it will drive you crazy. And without the routine of school you have to find a way to keep them educated so they don’t regress.

#stayathomedad #children #education #family #freetime #fun #parenting #school #vacation

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]]> https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/school-vacations-from-a-parents-view Fri, 29 May 2026 17:07:12 +0000 One Sentence at a Time https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/one-sentence-at-a-time?pk_campaign=rss-feed <![CDATA[If there’s one piece of writing advice I can give to you and others, it’s the title above. Let’s face it, many of us writers have trouble getting past that blank piece of paper or screen. Even we if have something written, often we don’t write anything else, and progress stalls. So whenever you’re having trouble writing something, just write one sentence at a time. If you can keep up the momentum and write more, then that’s great. If not, just write another sentence the next day. Let’s assume you’re writing a novel, 80,000 words and the average sentence is about 17.5 words. If you only write one sentence a day it will take you about 12.5 years to complete a draft. Yes, that’s a long time, but think of how many writers you know that have waited that long and still haven’t published anything. The lesson: Compounding works. One sentence a day produces progress. It may take a long time, but you’re doing better than someone who keeps hesitating and letting perfectionism overwhelm them. writing advice daily one sentence a href="https://remark.as/p/ernestortizwritesnow.com/one-sentence-at-a-time"Discuss.../a !--emailsub-- ]]> If there’s one piece of writing advice I can give to you and others, it’s the title above. Let’s face it, many of us writers have trouble getting past that blank piece of paper or screen. Even we if have something written, often we don’t write anything else, and progress stalls.

So whenever you’re having trouble writing something, just write one sentence at a time. If you can keep up the momentum and write more, then that’s great. If not, just write another sentence the next day.

Let’s assume you’re writing a novel, 80,000 words and the average sentence is about 17.5 words. If you only write one sentence a day it will take you about 12.5 years to complete a draft. Yes, that’s a long time, but think of how many writers you know that have waited that long and still haven’t published anything.

The lesson: Compounding works. One sentence a day produces progress. It may take a long time, but you’re doing better than someone who keeps hesitating and letting perfectionism overwhelm them.

#writing #advice #daily #one #sentence

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]]> https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/one-sentence-at-a-time Wed, 27 May 2026 15:13:44 +0000 Have a Good Memorial Day! https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/have-a-good-memorial-day?pk_campaign=rss-feed <![CDATA[Going to take the family out to a park and have some lunch later. Also will go to an U.S. Armed Forces memorial since I have relatives who served and no longer with us. Whether you’re working or spending time with loved ones, don’t forget all the servicemen and servicewomen who made the ultimate sacrifice. From a veteran, thank you. memorialday airforce army coastguard family friends marines navy relatives veteran a href="https://remark.as/p/ernestortizwritesnow.com/have-a-good-memorial-day"Discuss.../a !--emailsub-- ]]> Going to take the family out to a park and have some lunch later. Also will go to an U.S. Armed Forces memorial since I have relatives who served and no longer with us.

Whether you’re working or spending time with loved ones, don’t forget all the servicemen and servicewomen who made the ultimate sacrifice. From a veteran, thank you.

#memorialday #airforce #army #coastguard #family #friends #marines #navy #relatives #veteran

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]]> https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/have-a-good-memorial-day Mon, 25 May 2026 17:07:57 +0000 The Connection is There, But It Won’t Print https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/the-connection-is-there-but-it-wont-print?pk_campaign=rss-feed <![CDATA[I’m a printaholic. I love printing PDFs into booklet form, folding, and stapling them. Sometimes, I’ll cut at the folds, two-hole punch them, and insert those two-prong holders if the book is too thick. I love the way fresh blank pieces of paper is imprinted with jet ink and heated on both sides, how stacks of finished sheets are ready to be folded or sliced in half, and how freeing it is to give the middle finger to those who keep saying “we’re going to live in a paperless society.” Unfortunately, today is a bad day in my printing world. I had to print out a lot of PDF documents for my son’s school to sign and turn in. When I tried to print them out my laptop didn’t recognize the hardware. Even after reinstalling the drivers the printer still didn’t work. My wife tried printing on her computer and it didn’t work as well. The printer is a Canon MX-522 that I’ve had for years. After being a dedicated and reliable printer surviving multiple computers and operating systems, moving from one house to another, and replacing countless ink cartridges, it’s finally time to retire it. So thank you for your service Canon MX-522. Maybe someone else can put it to good use when I donate it. Now the hard part is finding a reliable printer with ink cartridges that isn’t too expensive. printing printer documents ebooks ink PDF technology a href="https://remark.as/p/ernestortizwritesnow.com/the-connection-is-there-but-it-wont-print"Discuss.../a !--emailsub-- ]]> I’m a printaholic. I love printing PDFs into booklet form, folding, and stapling them. Sometimes, I’ll cut at the folds, two-hole punch them, and insert those two-prong holders if the book is too thick.

I love the way fresh blank pieces of paper is imprinted with jet ink and heated on both sides, how stacks of finished sheets are ready to be folded or sliced in half, and how freeing it is to give the middle finger to those who keep saying “we’re going to live in a paperless society.”

Unfortunately, today is a bad day in my printing world. I had to print out a lot of PDF documents for my son’s school to sign and turn in. When I tried to print them out my laptop didn’t recognize the hardware. Even after reinstalling the drivers the printer still didn’t work. My wife tried printing on her computer and it didn’t work as well.

The printer is a Canon MX-522 that I’ve had for years. After being a dedicated and reliable printer surviving multiple computers and operating systems, moving from one house to another, and replacing countless ink cartridges, it’s finally time to retire it. So thank you for your service Canon MX-522. Maybe someone else can put it to good use when I donate it.

Now the hard part is finding a reliable printer with ink cartridges that isn’t too expensive.

#printing #printer #documents #ebooks #ink #PDF #technology

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]]> https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/the-connection-is-there-but-it-wont-print Thu, 21 May 2026 14:37:34 +0000 Novelette 1 of The Package Trilogy Series is Out Now! https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/novelette-1-of-the-package-trilogy-series-is-out-now?pk_campaign=rss-feed <![CDATA[For sci-fi adventure fans, Novelette 1 (10,800 words) of The Package trilogy series is finally published. It’s $3 for both EPUB and PDF versions on Gumroad. You can go to My Books at the top of my blog menu and click on The Package (Novelette 1) link. Thank you for your support! adventure gumroad epub novelette PDF sciencefiction scifi a href="https://remark.as/p/ernestortizwritesnow.com/novelette-1-of-the-package-trilogy-series-is-out-now"Discuss.../a !--emailsub-- ]]> For sci-fi adventure fans, Novelette 1 (10,800 words) of The Package trilogy series is finally published. It’s $3 for both EPUB and PDF versions on Gumroad.

You can go to My Books at the top of my blog menu and click on The Package (Novelette 1) link.

Thank you for your support!

#adventure #gumroad #epub #novelette #PDF #sciencefiction #scifi

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]]> https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/novelette-1-of-the-package-trilogy-series-is-out-now Tue, 19 May 2026 15:30:37 +0000 Allergies, Allergies, Wherever We Go https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/allergies-allergies-wherever-we-go?pk_campaign=rss-feed <![CDATA[My younger son had his allergy test a few weeks ago. Older son keeps rubbing his eyes and sneezes despite having multiple air purifiers and humidifiers in the house. Wifey and I are also sneezing. My eyes are always red (on top of my asthma and sinus issues) and my handkerchiefs are constantly wet from all the nose blowing. This year has been terrible when it comes to allergies. Allergy medicine helps a bit but the only thing all of us can do is deal with it. The price to pay to having a good spring and summer in California. allergy children family parenting a href="https://remark.as/p/ernestortizwritesnow.com/allergies-allergies-wherever-we-go"Discuss.../a !--emailsub-- ]]> My younger son had his allergy test a few weeks ago. Older son keeps rubbing his eyes and sneezes despite having multiple air purifiers and humidifiers in the house. Wifey and I are also sneezing. My eyes are always red (on top of my asthma and sinus issues) and my handkerchiefs are constantly wet from all the nose blowing.

This year has been terrible when it comes to allergies. Allergy medicine helps a bit but the only thing all of us can do is deal with it. The price to pay to having a good spring and summer in California.

#allergy #children #family #parenting

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]]> https://ernestortizwritesnow.com/allergies-allergies-wherever-we-go Fri, 15 May 2026 17:12:06 +0000