Fall Is Rolling In / Happenings In The Outhouse 09-Oct-2026

Fall is definitely in the air once again.  I don't know about you, but I love this time of year.  If I had to pick a favorite season, it would be the fall.

Spring is fine, but with the snow melting it creates such a mess everywhere.  Summer is also fine (when compared to winter here in northern Minnesota) but it can go from high humidity to scorching high temps in a matter of days . . . if not hours.

Winter is probably my least favorite.  Very unpredictable here.  Some winters, some weeks, some months we can get frigidly chilling temperatures and then go to almost melting the next.  And if it's warmer, then we get hit with a ton of snow.

Last weekend, all of our children were up to visit and take family photos.  Even our dog had to get in on the action.

Photos taken by Captured By Carly

New Focus For Q4 2026 / Happenings In The Outhouse 02-Oct-2026

The last three months have been a smashing success, in my opinion.  Two novels completed, and at least three more short stories done and published in the last week.  It's mind boggling, to say the least.

In fact, when I look over the year so far, I have published . . . drum roll please . . . 4 novels!  And that doesn't include quite a number of short stories published too.

But wait, there's more!  There are still 3 more months left to go in 2026!

Normally, at the end of each quarter, I sit down and write down my next five things for the next quarter.  These are the five things I want to accomplish.

Not this time.  This time, for the last three months of 2026, I have a whole lot more on my list!  There are a lot of little things I want to accomplish, to set myself for success starting in 2027 and beyond.

As a side note, I'd like to share this with you.  For the past several months, I have brought my writing to my work with me.  My wife and I ride together three days a week (I work at home the other two days).  Since she starts much earlier than me, I get to work at least 90 minutes early.  Prior to the start of my shift, I sit in this little desk in what our company calls a collaboration area.  It's relatively quiet, and I am able to get a lot done before I start work.  Pretty cute, isn't it?

New Novel - Missing Pieces / Happenings In The Outhouse 25-Sept-2026

I did it!

Missing Pieces, my latest novel, has been published!

Amazon.com: Missing Pieces eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

"Like two ships passing in the night, Zack and Ellen Perkins are just going through the motions.  They appear to be the perfect couple, successful in their careers, successful in their marriage, with three great kids.

But both are self-proclaimed workaholics who have devoted themselves entirely to their careers at the risk of their on the rocks marriage.

As their twenty-five-year wedding anniversary nears, the unexpected happens and they find themselves reliving their younger years.  Will they finally rediscover the reason they are destined for each other, rekindling the romantic fires that bonded them as soulmates?  Or will those fires die out as they seek out love in other places?"

Please check out "Missing Pieces" on Amazon Kindle ebook store or wherever you purchase your favorite ebooks!

Amazon.com: Missing Pieces eBook : Peterson, Mark S. R.: Kindle Store

Changes In The Last Quarter Of 2026 / Happenings In The Outhouse 18-Sept-2026

I am looking ahead to 2027.

Really, Mark?  2027?

Yes, really.

In doing so, I need to set myself up for success.  This quarter, my main goal was to write and publish two full-length novels.  One is done and the other is so close, it will be by next week.

Although I will not share what I have in store for the last three months of 2026 to lead into 2027, rest assured that it'll be good.  I will still be publishing stories in the last three months of 2026, but I will not have a major challenge like I did for this quarter.  I do have a story in mind to write.

Stay tuned.  It's going to be a fun ride!

Great Progress / Happenings In The Outhouse 11-Sept-2026

Another short one today.  But I still wanted to make sure something was posted, to keep the weekly blog streak alive.

I am making tremendous progress on my current work-in-progress.  I have written over 40,000 words so far.  The end is in sight.  Maybe a week or so.  Worked on the cover a bit this past weekend too and more this weekend.  I'll probably also tackle updating some of my other stories with new covers, blurbs.

Difficult Decisions / Happenings In The Outhouse 04-Sept-2026

As I look at what I have accomplished so far this year over the past few years and what I want to do for the future, I am at a precipice.  I have some difficult decisions to make.

There are some things I have done, and done for quite some time.  But as I have now shifted to writing and publishing novels instead of short stories, and gradually seeing the fruits of those labors, I am reviewing what direction I am going.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about what things could be stopped.  These were non-writing tasks.

Now I am evaluating where my time is best spent.

A Good Start / Happenings In The Outhouse 28-Aug-2026

A short post today.

I am in the midst of another novel, another work-in-progress, to complete my 2 novels in a quarter challenge.  The first one was Broken Roads and is already for sale wherever you can purchase your favorite ebooks.

I have currently surpassed the 25,000-word mark and going strong.  It is a very good start.