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Emily Crewse Kalka

It's Raining Puppies and Other Updates

Feb 15, 20246 min read

It's Raining Puppies and Other Updates

A lot's been going on, folks. Checking in with a writing and life update.

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So, the wind was blowing so hard this morning, it took the back half of the roof off one of our historic (and rundown) buildings on main street. The issue now is how to get rid of the debris without the wind picking it up and carrying it off, as well as doing that without completely cutting off electricity and internet for all/most/a good chunk of downtown. The electricity and internet have been flickering in and out all day, to the point that I'm thinking about packing up and working from home for the rest of the day. Last I heard, they had 2-3 internet companies, OG&E, and the gas company all out there, along with public works and the fire department... Do not envy them today. Also, very thankful that they were able to quickly evacuate the animal hospital located right next door to this building (it's my vet). #oklahoma #oklahomawinds #lincolncounty #windyday

So, the wind was blowing so hard this morning, it took the back half of the roof off one of our historic (and rundown) buildings on main street. The issue now is how to get rid of the debris without the wind picking it up and carrying it off, as well as doing that without completely cutting off electricity and internet for all/most/a good chunk of downtown. The electricity and internet have been flickering in and out all day, to the point that I'm thinking about packing up and working from home for the rest of the day. Last I heard, they had 2-3 internet companies, OG&E, and the gas company all out there, along with public works and the fire department... Do not envy them today. Also, very thankful that they were able to quickly evacuate the animal hospital located right next door to this building (it's my vet). #oklahoma #oklahomawinds #lincolncounty #windyday

Move back to Oklahoma, they said. It’ll be fun. At least now I know that I can, indeed, do my makeup in the dark. Now it’s time for a whole bunch of sit around and wait. Half the town is out including my office, meaning there’s not a whole lot of work I can do until the electricity comes back on… #oklahoma

Move back to Oklahoma, they said. It’ll be fun. At least now I know that I can, indeed, do my makeup in the dark. Now it’s time for a whole bunch of sit around and wait. Half the town is out including my office, meaning there’s not a whole lot of work I can do until the electricity comes back on… #oklahoma

For my book fiends that love a good ghost story. “The Whitehall Affair” is a mystery with a paranormal twist. Is Nora really communicating with ghosts from the 1920s, or is it all in her head? If it is in her head, then how is she finding clues for a 100-year-old murder mystery in NYC’s most infamous mansion? #mysterybooks #paranormalmystery #ghoststory #hauntedmansionstory #indieauthor #oklahomawriter

For my book fiends that love a good ghost story. “The Whitehall Affair” is a mystery with a paranormal twist. Is Nora really communicating with ghosts from the 1920s, or is it all in her head? If it is in her head, then how is she finding clues for a 100-year-old murder mystery in NYC’s most infamous mansion? #mysterybooks #paranormalmystery #ghoststory #hauntedmansionstory #indieauthor #oklahomawriter

A few more shots from when I was out covering fires on Friday. We're all hoping and praying that we don't have another day like that tomorrow or Tuesday. Never in Oklahoma history has there been that many fires across the state in one day, according to our local emergency management department. Over 16 fires in Lincoln County alone, with 5 to 6 of those large-scale fires going on at the same time. #OklahomaStrong #oklahomafires

A few more shots from when I was out covering fires on Friday. We're all hoping and praying that we don't have another day like that tomorrow or Tuesday. Never in Oklahoma history has there been that many fires across the state in one day, according to our local emergency management department. Over 16 fires in Lincoln County alone, with 5 to 6 of those large-scale fires going on at the same time. #OklahomaStrong #oklahomafires

Another evening spent chasing fires for the paper. Honestly there were so many popping up around my town that I wasn’t sure where to go. #smalltownreporter

Another evening spent chasing fires for the paper. Honestly there were so many popping up around my town that I wasn’t sure where to go. #smalltownreporter

Love when I get to see my author friends in person and when all my book girlies get together. Went to @ginnymyerssain’s talk tonight about her latest book “When the Bones Sing” right here in my hometown (where Ginny is also from). I love all her books, but this one pulled at my heart strings. It’s set in the Arkansas Ozarks - the land of my birth and my mama’s family - and in a way, it felt like going home. The characters are colorful and real. The book is so vivid that I felt like I was walking the trails of the Ozark Mountains as I read. I’m so grateful that I got to interview Ginny last year. It’s fitting, really. Her mother was one of the big reasons I became a writer and Ginny and her books pushed me into giving YA a try and started me on the latest leg of my writing journey. Tonight was fun and informative. And seriously - go get her books if you love twisty, dark tales. You won’t be disappointed. #mysterythrillerbooks #oklahomaauthors #yanovels #yawriters #smalltownwriters

Love when I get to see my author friends in person and when all my book girlies get together. Went to @ginnymyerssain’s talk tonight about her latest book “When the Bones Sing” right here in my hometown (where Ginny is also from). I love all her books, but this one pulled at my heart strings. It’s set in the Arkansas Ozarks - the land of my birth and my mama’s family - and in a way, it felt like going home. The characters are colorful and real. The book is so vivid that I felt like I was walking the trails of the Ozark Mountains as I read. I’m so grateful that I got to interview Ginny last year. It’s fitting, really. Her mother was one of the big reasons I became a writer and Ginny and her books pushed me into giving YA a try and started me on the latest leg of my writing journey. Tonight was fun and informative. And seriously - go get her books if you love twisty, dark tales. You won’t be disappointed. #mysterythrillerbooks #oklahomaauthors #yanovels #yawriters #smalltownwriters

Hard to believe that Mom would be 59 today. I’m pretty sure she’d still look about 45. Always missing her. Happy Birthday, Mom.

Hard to believe that Mom would be 59 today. I’m pretty sure she’d still look about 45. Always missing her. Happy Birthday, Mom.

Current read. Love a good historical fiction about murder… #bookstagram #murderbook

Current read. Love a good historical fiction about murder… #bookstagram #murderbook

When it’s cold and rainy outside and you spent all day talking books, there’s nothing like a spicy bowl of budae chigae. #koreanfoodlover #seoulmysecondhome #comfortfood

When it’s cold and rainy outside and you spent all day talking books, there’s nothing like a spicy bowl of budae chigae. #koreanfoodlover #seoulmysecondhome #comfortfood

Come see me at @knights_nook today! Showcase is from 12-3pm! #indiebooks #indiebookstore #selfpublishedauthor #indieauthors #mysterythriller #mysterythrillerbooks #horrorbooks #oklahomawriter #oklahomaauthors

Come see me at @knights_nook today! Showcase is from 12-3pm! #indiebooks #indiebookstore #selfpublishedauthor #indieauthors #mysterythriller #mysterythrillerbooks #horrorbooks #oklahomawriter #oklahomaauthors

I promise, I’m working on stuff. “Everyone Talks” is done and I’m going to start querying. Which means I can focus more on adapting “Queen of the Wood”. And I’m super excited to also be working on “No One Can Hear You Holler.” It’s going to be such a twisty ride once I get all the details worked out. #indiewriter #workinprogress #mysterythrillerbooks #oklahomawriter

I promise, I’m working on stuff. “Everyone Talks” is done and I’m going to start querying. Which means I can focus more on adapting “Queen of the Wood”. And I’m super excited to also be working on “No One Can Hear You Holler.” It’s going to be such a twisty ride once I get all the details worked out. #indiewriter #workinprogress #mysterythrillerbooks #oklahomawriter

Come on out to Knight's Nook in Yukon on Saturday to pick up my books and get them signed by me! There's also going to be several other great local mystery/thriller/horror authors there as well, so you just might find your next favorite read! #indieauthors #indiebookstores #shoplocal #oklahomawriters #mysterythrillerbooks #mysterythrillerwriters #horrorwriters

Come on out to Knight's Nook in Yukon on Saturday to pick up my books and get them signed by me! There's also going to be several other great local mystery/thriller/horror authors there as well, so you just might find your next favorite read! #indieauthors #indiebookstores #shoplocal #oklahomawriters #mysterythrillerbooks #mysterythrillerwriters #horrorwriters

Be sure to come out to @knights_nook on Saturday! I’ll be there with my fellow mystery/thriller/horror writers. Showcase runs from 12-3pm!! #indiebookshop #indieauthor #indiebooks #oklahomawriters #mysterybooks #mysterythrillerbooks

Be sure to come out to @knights_nook on Saturday! I’ll be there with my fellow mystery/thriller/horror writers. Showcase runs from 12-3pm!! #indiebookshop #indieauthor #indiebooks #oklahomawriters #mysterybooks #mysterythrillerbooks

I’m currently in tears. One of the things I love most about being a small town reporter is following the people you write about and getting to celebrate their triumphs. I didn’t get any photos of the girls who made it to finals, but just got word that the team I did a feature on (McLoud) were state champs. Out of 9 on the team, 8 made it to state (would have been all if not for an injury). Of those, they had 2 state champs and 2 runners-up. Regardless, I admire all of the girls. They work hard and some have some pretty grueling obstacles that they do let get in their way. I’m seriously proud of them and their accomplishments. And, as most of the team are freshmen and sophomores, I’m incredibly excited to keep following them in the years to come. These are the stories that give me life. #smalltownreporter #oklahoma #girlswrestling #ossaastatewrestlingtournament

I’m currently in tears. One of the things I love most about being a small town reporter is following the people you write about and getting to celebrate their triumphs. I didn’t get any photos of the girls who made it to finals, but just got word that the team I did a feature on (McLoud) were state champs. Out of 9 on the team, 8 made it to state (would have been all if not for an injury). Of those, they had 2 state champs and 2 runners-up. Regardless, I admire all of the girls. They work hard and some have some pretty grueling obstacles that they do let get in their way. I’m seriously proud of them and their accomplishments. And, as most of the team are freshmen and sophomores, I’m incredibly excited to keep following them in the years to come. These are the stories that give me life. #smalltownreporter #oklahoma #girlswrestling #ossaastatewrestlingtournament

Covering the state wrestling tournament and taking a break from being down on the mats. #smalltownreporter #hswrestling

Covering the state wrestling tournament and taking a break from being down on the mats. #smalltownreporter #hswrestling

I may still be a newbie photographer but sometimes I take good photos of pigs. 😂 #smalltownreporter #livestockseason #lincolncountyoklahoma

I may still be a newbie photographer but sometimes I take good photos of pigs. 😂 #smalltownreporter #livestockseason #lincolncountyoklahoma

Come on out to chat with me and my fellow mystery/thriller/horror authors at @knights_nook on March 8! We’ll be there from 12-3 pm. #indieauthors #oklahomaauthors #indiebookshop #supportlocalbusiness #supportlocalwriters #mysterythrillerwriters

Come on out to chat with me and my fellow mystery/thriller/horror authors at @knights_nook on March 8! We’ll be there from 12-3 pm. #indieauthors #oklahomaauthors #indiebookshop #supportlocalbusiness #supportlocalwriters #mysterythrillerwriters

When the roads are coated in ice, I work from home and the kiddos get to enjoy watching true crime all day. Perhaps they’re taking notes to help me out with future novels… #writerslife #reporterlife #oklahomaweather #workfromhome #snowday

When the roads are coated in ice, I work from home and the kiddos get to enjoy watching true crime all day. Perhaps they’re taking notes to help me out with future novels… #writerslife #reporterlife #oklahomaweather #workfromhome #snowday

Another day in the life of a small town reporter. Spent 5 hours shooting a local high school livestock show and my legs and back are killing me from spending an hour or more squatting down trying to get the best angle for pig snoot photos… But I got some cute shots. And nearly run over by a pig… and some heifers… #oklahomareporter #smalltownreporter #livestockshow

Another day in the life of a small town reporter. Spent 5 hours shooting a local high school livestock show and my legs and back are killing me from spending an hour or more squatting down trying to get the best angle for pig snoot photos… But I got some cute shots. And nearly run over by a pig… and some heifers… #oklahomareporter #smalltownreporter #livestockshow

The memories… way back in 2018 I got to make my dream of going to the Olympics come true. It was an amazing experience that I got to share with my best friend from college @therapydogtalk. And I got to meet @arielletgold. Very much worth standing on -20 C snow for hours. #pyeongchang2018🇰🇷 #wintergames2018 #winterolympics2018 @teamusa #winterolympics

The memories… way back in 2018 I got to make my dream of going to the Olympics come true. It was an amazing experience that I got to share with my best friend from college @therapydogtalk. And I got to meet @arielletgold. Very much worth standing on -20 C snow for hours. #pyeongchang2018🇰🇷 #wintergames2018 #winterolympics2018 @teamusa #winterolympics

I feel like we’re in Silent Hill today… Tho it’s a good atmosphere for working on Everyone Talks edits. #smalltown #creepyvibes #mysterywriter #foggyday

I feel like we’re in Silent Hill today… Tho it’s a good atmosphere for working on Everyone Talks edits. #smalltown #creepyvibes #mysterywriter #foggyday

All I was doing was practicing my sports photography and cheering on my niece and her friends… and then this little bit of magic happened. 😂 I swear I need to make a coffee table book or something of all the random photos I’ve taken that didn’t end up in the paper. #smalltownjournalism #girlswrestling

All I was doing was practicing my sports photography and cheering on my niece and her friends… and then this little bit of magic happened. 😂 I swear I need to make a coffee table book or something of all the random photos I’ve taken that didn’t end up in the paper. #smalltownjournalism #girlswrestling

That feeling you get when you’re finally on the right track with a story… This whole writing second and third versions of books is a relatively new development in my novel writing journey. But I’m so happy with the changes I’m making to “Everyone Talks” and even more grateful that I have a best friend that’s as invested in my writing career as I am. #writerslife #novelistlife #oklahomaauthor #oklahomabooks

That feeling you get when you’re finally on the right track with a story… This whole writing second and third versions of books is a relatively new development in my novel writing journey. But I’m so happy with the changes I’m making to “Everyone Talks” and even more grateful that I have a best friend that’s as invested in my writing career as I am. #writerslife #novelistlife #oklahomaauthor #oklahomabooks

Pretty much a nightly routine with Poppy and Violet. All of us want to lounge on the couch… #rescuedogs #rescuedogsrock #writerslife #readerslife #bigdogs

Pretty much a nightly routine with Poppy and Violet. All of us want to lounge on the couch… #rescuedogs #rescuedogsrock #writerslife #readerslife #bigdogs

Stay tuned for the Ambys Buzztables & go check out Queen of the Wood now on Wattpad! It’s a mystery/thriller about a young woman who can’t remember what happened the night her best friend disappeared 5 years ago, but is determined to find her. #mysterythrillerbooks #mysterywriter #smalltownwriter #oklahomabookstagram #oklahomawriter #indiewriter #selfpublishedwriter #smalltownmurder

Stay tuned for the Ambys Buzztables & go check out Queen of the Wood now on Wattpad! It’s a mystery/thriller about a young woman who can’t remember what happened the night her best friend disappeared 5 years ago, but is determined to find her. #mysterythrillerbooks #mysterywriter #smalltownwriter #oklahomabookstagram #oklahomawriter #indiewriter #selfpublishedwriter #smalltownmurder

I am super excited to announce that “Queen of the Wood” made the Ambys 2025 Favorites list for Mystery/Thriller. I’m still adapting it to YA from New Adult but happy to see this version get some love! #wattpadwriter #mysterythrillerbooks #mysterythrillerwriter #smalltownnovel #oklahomanovelist

I am super excited to announce that “Queen of the Wood” made the Ambys 2025 Favorites list for Mystery/Thriller. I’m still adapting it to YA from New Adult but happy to see this version get some love! #wattpadwriter #mysterythrillerbooks #mysterythrillerwriter #smalltownnovel #oklahomanovelist

When your bestie surprises you at work with a signed copy of a book by one of your favorite authors. Oh, and she also hyped up your books to the bookstore where she got it and to the author. #bookbesties #bestfriendsforever #besthypewoman

When your bestie surprises you at work with a signed copy of a book by one of your favorite authors. Oh, and she also hyped up your books to the bookstore where she got it and to the author. #bookbesties #bestfriendsforever #besthypewoman

When your family gets you. Love my birthday/Christmas gifts @rae1791! #familychristmas #readerlife #bookaddict

When your family gets you. Love my birthday/Christmas gifts @rae1791! #familychristmas #readerlife #bookaddict

A writer in her natural habitat. Taking a break with one of the house horses who is all tuckered out from 2 days of frolicking in the snow. #writerslife #singlelife #rescuedogsrock #anatolianprynees

A writer in her natural habitat. Taking a break with one of the house horses who is all tuckered out from 2 days of frolicking in the snow. #writerslife #singlelife #rescuedogsrock #anatolianprynees

Needless to say, my pups enjoyed the snow today…. #snowday #oklahomasnow #rescuepups

Needless to say, my pups enjoyed the snow today…. #snowday #oklahomasnow #rescuepups

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