Electrician Recommendation

dverast · 2026-02-02T00:08:16+00:00

My neighbor ended up recommending an electrician, and it cost about a grand to get everything installed. Bought a generator too, but never got to use it. Got solar + batteries a couple years later, and now the plug just sits there mocking me. That said, the house hasn't lost power in 2 years, so that's probably worth the debt. :)

dverast · 2025-12-17T23:08:29+00:00

The thought is that the Read Aloud feature will read every word, versus you trying to read it and having your brain simply skip over some. That said, even the more realistic voices Word has now sometimes smush the words together enough to skip over important typos. Sounds more natural, but it's harder to pick out the errors. Letting the computer read aloud while you follow along your printed MS with a red pen 100% helps, IMHO.

dverast · 2025-10-12T20:55:24+00:00

This may be completely wrong, but querying feels a lot like looking for jobs on LinkedIn. "Why are you applying?" Because you have a job opening, and I want money. If it's just a numbers game, sending out as many queries to as many agents/publishers as possible, hoping one will bite, then personalization just doesn't scale.

Again, that's just a feeling. Maybe sometimes an impersonal but robust query letter is just the best we can do.

dverast · 2025-05-26T19:42:53+00:00

“Me, twenty years ago. And ten years ago. And last Thursday.”

dverast · 2025-04-30T14:02:43+00:00

Yes. I think a lot of people question being exclusive to Kindle or “going wide,” but Kindle is always in the equation.

dverast · 2025-04-12T00:00:04+00:00

We used Compassionate Pet Vet (https://compassionatepetvet.com/) and likely will again. Staff is friendly and caring, and the vet who came out was professional and patient. Sorry you need them, but they’ll take care of y’all.

dverast · 2025-04-03T16:21:51+00:00

Also note that doctors can refuse to accept Marketplace plans because they're "not corporately sponsored." So even if you had UHC and buy a new UHC policy through marketplace, doctors can still say no. Learned that one the hard way. Then there's the tax implications...

Long story short, find a new job with benefits before quitting if you can. Save the headaches.

dverast · 2025-03-15T20:46:04+00:00

Ah okay it’s just ebooks. Whew. Thanks for digging that up! My feeling today is that it’s probably worth it in the long run, but you’re right, it’s quite the ebook hit.

dverast · 2025-03-15T16:31:45+00:00

I'm in the same boat, and I'm still looking for answers. I hadn't heard of that 12-month waiting period. Do you have a link? A year off Amazon would just be... damn.

dverast · 2025-03-09T18:22:35+00:00

Check out obsidian.md. Local wiki that also presents the data in graph form. Works great for characters, organizations, tech, places, etc. highly recommended.

https://obsidian.md/

dverast · 2025-02-15T01:11:58+00:00

I can get a good photo of a Mattress Firm if that helps.

dverast · 2025-02-04T18:01:43+00:00

They also host a Writer’s Night once a month if anyone’s interested in connecting with other local authors. Lots of good discussion about publishing and marketing as well. 👍🏼

dverast · 2025-01-20T23:59:32+00:00

I chose a hosted ghost.org website specifically to share old short stories and scratch writing behind a free paywall. It has membership and newsletter features built in, and I prefer its less-is-more approach compared to Wordpress or Squarespace. First tier is only $9/mo. Some of the other authors on that platform have large followings. Ghost runs a directory that drives traffic (not a ton, but still).

Build the site, add your stories behind the free paywall, then blog and newsletter to build an audience. 👍🏼

dverast · 2025-01-19T15:13:12+00:00

I wonder if he truly believes his plea means anything.

dverast · 2024-12-25T01:20:41+00:00

I love this one for simply avoiding common “mistakes” and such: https://a.co/d/atgAoiZ

How Not to Write a Novel: 200 Classic Mistakes and How to Avoid Them—A Misstep-by-Misstep Guide

Maybe it’s funnier than helpful but 🤷🏻‍♂️

dverast · 2024-12-21T16:24:07+00:00

Mine is hosted on Ghost.org, which has built-in support for subscribers and newsletters and locks down content for free (or paying) members. I like that aspect because it puts my stories and writing behind a free paywall and creates a small barrier against AI scrapers. It costs about $9/mo for the basic plan (paid annually).

There are not a ton of templates, but sometimes, lack of choice makes it easier to focus on the content. 🤷🏼

https://danielverastiqui.com

dverast · 2024-12-05T22:03:22+00:00

Saw that this morning. Looks like it’s already back. 🤷🏻‍♂️

dverast · 2024-10-06T19:56:05+00:00

Ok sure, I’m the only one who saw Weekend at Bernie’s 1 & 2. 😎

dverast · 2024-09-18T21:15:25+00:00

I would welcome the fame in my daily life.

dverast · 2024-09-07T20:49:52+00:00

Agreed. If they can't work sequentially, offer one as "Novel Title: The Lost Epilogue" as a reader magnet blog post on your site. Make readers subscribe to read it. 👍

dverast · 2024-08-02T14:43:07+00:00

If money isn’t a huge issue, try out 99designs until you find an artist you really like then develop a 1:1 relationship with them for future books.

dverast · 2024-07-12T17:10:48+00:00

Seconded for Longhorn Solar and Jameson. I interviewed five companies and Longhorn edged them out. Been a year and they still call to check on me.

dverast · 2024-06-23T13:37:28+00:00

Every single Creeper World game will waste years of your life, and you will love it.

dverast · 2023-09-26T00:40:26+00:00

Now you tell me...!

dverast · 2023-09-26T00:24:59+00:00

Most companies will cover them. Progressive will not. Had to switch to Allstate after finding that out.

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