Yesterday's post seemed fine when I wrote it, but looking at it this morning... Well, umm, bleh. It's gone now. Today's actual post will be up later.
Meanwhile, enjoy this...
There was a picture here but I had to delete it.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
All In My Head
Ever have a time when you spent so much time thinking about doing something that in the end, you think you actually did it? I'm like that all the time.
And of course, that's where yesterday's post went. Off and on yesterday I thought about what I was going to write. I kept telling myself to sit down and write it, but then something would distract me. (Like sucking the water out of the basement, or unplugging the sink in the downstairs bathroom... You know... Life.) By the time I went to bed, I thought I really did write a post. I guess it was all in my head. Since that's where I spend most of my time, I'm not surprised.
Yesterday Jennifer Lyon wrote a post over at Murder She Writes called Waking Up Stupid. I totally get that, but for me, it's not just associated with being deep in writing a story. Like I said, I'm like this all the time. :shrug:
Of course, having a new story in my head doesn't help. I swear I didn't hear a damn thing my husband said last night because my brain was possessed by this new story. I can only hope I made the appropriate responses, and that if I didn't, he understood why I was acting like a zombie. It was the story, I tell you!
Speaking of which, I didn't start it Sunday night like I hoped. Thanks to a cloudburst, I spent some time trying to stem the flow of water into the basement. And thanks to plumbing difficulties, I spent some time trying to unclog a sink. (Neither of which worked, btw. Which is why yesterday was still occupied with those pursuits.) Last night I got 1500 words out of my head before another storm hit.
Here's hoping the electrifying weather holds off today so I can get some more of this story out and de-clutter my head.
Do you get like this when your brain is cluttered, or is it just me?
(btw, to get what the picture has to do with this, see my comments in Jennifer's post.)
And of course, that's where yesterday's post went. Off and on yesterday I thought about what I was going to write. I kept telling myself to sit down and write it, but then something would distract me. (Like sucking the water out of the basement, or unplugging the sink in the downstairs bathroom... You know... Life.) By the time I went to bed, I thought I really did write a post. I guess it was all in my head. Since that's where I spend most of my time, I'm not surprised.
Yesterday Jennifer Lyon wrote a post over at Murder She Writes called Waking Up Stupid. I totally get that, but for me, it's not just associated with being deep in writing a story. Like I said, I'm like this all the time. :shrug:
Of course, having a new story in my head doesn't help. I swear I didn't hear a damn thing my husband said last night because my brain was possessed by this new story. I can only hope I made the appropriate responses, and that if I didn't, he understood why I was acting like a zombie. It was the story, I tell you!
Speaking of which, I didn't start it Sunday night like I hoped. Thanks to a cloudburst, I spent some time trying to stem the flow of water into the basement. And thanks to plumbing difficulties, I spent some time trying to unclog a sink. (Neither of which worked, btw. Which is why yesterday was still occupied with those pursuits.) Last night I got 1500 words out of my head before another storm hit.
Here's hoping the electrifying weather holds off today so I can get some more of this story out and de-clutter my head.
Do you get like this when your brain is cluttered, or is it just me?
(btw, to get what the picture has to do with this, see my comments in Jennifer's post.)
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Ate My Veggies. Time for Dessert.
Okay. Remember how I said I wasn't going to write anything new until I got all my editing done? Well, forget that. This evening I got tackled by a story I'd never thought of, and I can't get it out of my head. I spent a couple hours on the couch world-building for this thing. It doesn't have a title, and the characters are sketchy at best, but the premise is knocking my socks off.
I love it when that happens. Problem was I promised myself I would finish this round of edits on Nano tonight.
You know how as a kid, you could feel the anticipation churning inside you the night before your birthday? This is pretty similar to that. I can't wait to get started writing. On the upside, knowing I couldn't start this new thing until I kept my promise lit a fire under my ever-widening ass. I got through the red-ink edits a few minutes ago. Yay me!
To mix metaphors, I ate my vegetables. Now I can have dessert! Of course, I might be a little full of typing on this computer tonight, but that's okay. I've already got a great thread of the story, and I can always start typing tomorrow.
Ya know, I haven't been this jazzed about writing since I got the idea for RTL, and I cranked the first draft for that one out in 6 weeks. If this goes as smoothly, I could have this written by September. Oooo, wouldn't that be sweet?
Oh, and just so ya know, this new story is my first foray into the world of paranormal. I've never done it before, but I love reading it, so maybe it will be as awesome as I hope. Wish me luck.
I love it when that happens. Problem was I promised myself I would finish this round of edits on Nano tonight.
You know how as a kid, you could feel the anticipation churning inside you the night before your birthday? This is pretty similar to that. I can't wait to get started writing. On the upside, knowing I couldn't start this new thing until I kept my promise lit a fire under my ever-widening ass. I got through the red-ink edits a few minutes ago. Yay me!
To mix metaphors, I ate my vegetables. Now I can have dessert! Of course, I might be a little full of typing on this computer tonight, but that's okay. I've already got a great thread of the story, and I can always start typing tomorrow.
Ya know, I haven't been this jazzed about writing since I got the idea for RTL, and I cranked the first draft for that one out in 6 weeks. If this goes as smoothly, I could have this written by September. Oooo, wouldn't that be sweet?
Oh, and just so ya know, this new story is my first foray into the world of paranormal. I've never done it before, but I love reading it, so maybe it will be as awesome as I hope. Wish me luck.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Saturday's Super Site
In honor of this holiday, today's Super Site is Cyberfireworks.com. If you happen to be somewhere that doesn't have fireworks, or you just can't make it this year. Or if you're like me and don't like the noise... Here's a way to celebrate at home.
Happy Independence Day!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Weekly Update, etc.
Hmmm... What to say about this week? Well, I edited seven chapters of Nano, during which I tweezed out almost 1900 words and added in about 400. This leaves me with a negative 1500 for this week, and the whole novel at around 93.3K. Of course, the majority of the words I snipped will probably be reworked and added back in. I'm still not sure how much of this one villain's viewpoint the book needs.
Except he's crucial to the rest of the book, and without his POV scenes, the reader can't really tell why the hell people are dropping like flies. And then, he's also the most sympathetic villain I've had yet. He's got a helluva a good reason, but his premise and therefore his actions to correct what he sees as injustice are wrong.
Once I get done with all the major edits - another 8 chapters or so - I'll go through all his scenes and see what needs to be kept. Then I'll have to weave all that back in.
I know some of you are probably thinking I'm batshit. Editing the villain scenes along with the rest would've been easier in some ways, but I needed to pull him out of the picture so I could get a clear view. Kinda like throwing two jigsaw puzzles on the floor at the same time. I couldn't put together the main picture without removing all other pieces first. Once I did that, I could step back and see where everything needs to go - in both pictures.
Other than editing, I didn't get many other writerly things done. At least not for my own work. Not directly anyway. You see, I spent some time this week critiquing query letters over at The Public Query Slushpile. I don't know how much I'm helping others. I'm really trying to be helpful. I do know I'm helping myself while I do this. Looking at other peoples' query attempts seems to be sharpening my own editing skills. We'll see how much when I get Nano finished, and send it out into the world.
If you haven't been over there, I highly recommend it. It's a good exercise to help out other writers, and it's a little payment for all those writers who helped me. And besides, it gives me books to look forward to. After reading the queries for a few of these, I'm really jazzed to see them in print.
So, how're things in your world?
Except he's crucial to the rest of the book, and without his POV scenes, the reader can't really tell why the hell people are dropping like flies. And then, he's also the most sympathetic villain I've had yet. He's got a helluva a good reason, but his premise and therefore his actions to correct what he sees as injustice are wrong.
Once I get done with all the major edits - another 8 chapters or so - I'll go through all his scenes and see what needs to be kept. Then I'll have to weave all that back in.
I know some of you are probably thinking I'm batshit. Editing the villain scenes along with the rest would've been easier in some ways, but I needed to pull him out of the picture so I could get a clear view. Kinda like throwing two jigsaw puzzles on the floor at the same time. I couldn't put together the main picture without removing all other pieces first. Once I did that, I could step back and see where everything needs to go - in both pictures.
Other than editing, I didn't get many other writerly things done. At least not for my own work. Not directly anyway. You see, I spent some time this week critiquing query letters over at The Public Query Slushpile. I don't know how much I'm helping others. I'm really trying to be helpful. I do know I'm helping myself while I do this. Looking at other peoples' query attempts seems to be sharpening my own editing skills. We'll see how much when I get Nano finished, and send it out into the world.
If you haven't been over there, I highly recommend it. It's a good exercise to help out other writers, and it's a little payment for all those writers who helped me. And besides, it gives me books to look forward to. After reading the queries for a few of these, I'm really jazzed to see them in print.
So, how're things in your world?
Thursday, July 2, 2009
A Decision
I came to a decision yesterday. Recently I've been thinking about the books I've written and the lessons I've learned since I first finished Spectacle. I've also been looking at what I'm currently writing. Over the past few days... weeks... months, I've been considering whether anything is going to sell and how I'm going to get from unpublished and hopeful to published and successful.
The great Hubby and I have talked about it from the standpoint of what do we expect to happen in our careers in the next seven years. If all we can expect is more of the same, should we continue to do what we're doing? Seven years from now, will we both look back with regret that we've wasted all that time, or will we look back and be satisfied with our progress? Since neither of us can see the future, the only thing we both know for certain is that the best way to change the future is to change our actions in the present.
Or in Hubby's words (quoted from somebody somewhere): If we always do what we've always done, we'll always get what we've always gotten.
So... When I think about change in my own career, I have a limited number of options. I can 1) quit writing and get a job with a paycheck, 2) write something more in line with what's 'popular', 3) change the way I approach the task of writing and getting sold.
Of course, number ONE is out of the question. Aside from the fact that I won't quit writing, getting a job outside the house would a) be difficult in this economy (and Hubby is against me taking a job that doesn't utilize my skills - like at the grocery store or the hardware store), and b) totally screw up the whole homeschooling thing when we have two years left to go.
Which brings me around to number TWO. In a way, I already did that when I wrote Dying Embers (aka Manhunter). Beyond that I suppose I could write a paranormal romance or an urban fantasy or something else that's hot. Problem is... Even though I like to read those kinds or books, I'm really not jazzed about writing them. I like writing speculative fiction and suspense. I like taking a 'what if' and following it to its logical conclusion. I could probably write one hell of a paranormal something if I set my mind to it, but the urge just isn't there. I could force it, but then it would suck because it would feel forced. I can only write what I write.
So, that leaves me with THREE - Change the way I'm doing what I'm already doing. Basically the way I see that option is: Take the lessons I've learned and work harder to apply them to what I'm writing. Additionally, use those lessons to make the novels I've already finished worthy of publication.
Work harder AND smarter.
In keeping with the best option, I've decided to lay off writing new words temporarily while I work on re-polishing what I've already got. I still believe in Spectacle and Caldera and all the rest, so I can't fathom why I wouldn't work to get them published. I put a lot of effort into those suckers. So what if I need to put out some more effort?
This means I'll be editing and reworking the stories. It also means I need to rework and edit all the submission materials that go with each of those novels. I know it'll take a lot of work, and I know that afterwards they all could still be sitting on my harddrive gathering virtual dust. But I have to try.
Now I just need to choose which one gets attention first.
Of course, this is only one step in the process. I have a few other things I need to work on, too, but I'll share those in another post. This one's already too long. ;o)
Anyway, wish me luck. I'll probably need it.
The great Hubby and I have talked about it from the standpoint of what do we expect to happen in our careers in the next seven years. If all we can expect is more of the same, should we continue to do what we're doing? Seven years from now, will we both look back with regret that we've wasted all that time, or will we look back and be satisfied with our progress? Since neither of us can see the future, the only thing we both know for certain is that the best way to change the future is to change our actions in the present.
Or in Hubby's words (quoted from somebody somewhere): If we always do what we've always done, we'll always get what we've always gotten.
So... When I think about change in my own career, I have a limited number of options. I can 1) quit writing and get a job with a paycheck, 2) write something more in line with what's 'popular', 3) change the way I approach the task of writing and getting sold.
Of course, number ONE is out of the question. Aside from the fact that I won't quit writing, getting a job outside the house would a) be difficult in this economy (and Hubby is against me taking a job that doesn't utilize my skills - like at the grocery store or the hardware store), and b) totally screw up the whole homeschooling thing when we have two years left to go.
Which brings me around to number TWO. In a way, I already did that when I wrote Dying Embers (aka Manhunter). Beyond that I suppose I could write a paranormal romance or an urban fantasy or something else that's hot. Problem is... Even though I like to read those kinds or books, I'm really not jazzed about writing them. I like writing speculative fiction and suspense. I like taking a 'what if' and following it to its logical conclusion. I could probably write one hell of a paranormal something if I set my mind to it, but the urge just isn't there. I could force it, but then it would suck because it would feel forced. I can only write what I write.
So, that leaves me with THREE - Change the way I'm doing what I'm already doing. Basically the way I see that option is: Take the lessons I've learned and work harder to apply them to what I'm writing. Additionally, use those lessons to make the novels I've already finished worthy of publication.
Work harder AND smarter.
In keeping with the best option, I've decided to lay off writing new words temporarily while I work on re-polishing what I've already got. I still believe in Spectacle and Caldera and all the rest, so I can't fathom why I wouldn't work to get them published. I put a lot of effort into those suckers. So what if I need to put out some more effort?
This means I'll be editing and reworking the stories. It also means I need to rework and edit all the submission materials that go with each of those novels. I know it'll take a lot of work, and I know that afterwards they all could still be sitting on my harddrive gathering virtual dust. But I have to try.
Now I just need to choose which one gets attention first.
Of course, this is only one step in the process. I have a few other things I need to work on, too, but I'll share those in another post. This one's already too long. ;o)
Anyway, wish me luck. I'll probably need it.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
In the Mood for a Rant
Yep. That's right. I'm in the mood to rant. The problem is, there are so many things to rant about, I can't decide which one to pick this morning.
I could rant about the news that Obama plans on creating yet another government department. "The country's in recession... I know, I'll create a new way to spend the taxpayers' money!" Umm, Mr. President? No thanks. And if you ask me, I could show you some other departments we taxpayers can do without.
Or I could rant about the heat. Yeah, I know it's summer, but I'm not big on winter either. Extremes in either direction suck. I'm a fan of Spring and Fall. That's why I dreamed of living in Seattle when I was going to college. I heard somewhere that the temperatures are mid-range there all year. Yay.
Then again, I could spend some time ranting about the overwhelming press coverage of Michael Jackson's death. He was an icon. He died. Get over it. I'm not trying to be cruel. I liked Jackson (pre-freakazoid stage). But if I see the Thriller video one more time, I'm going to scream. If you watch TV during the day, it's been on at least a dozen times since he died. The first dozen times I watched it in the 80's was enough, thank you very much. Add in the stream of Beat it and every other song he ever sang, and I just want to crawl into a hole.
And what about the other four celebrities who died recently? David Carradine was a cultural icon. (Ahhhh, grasshopper. Take the pebble from my hand.) So was Ed McMahon. Farrah's getting a bit more press after her death, but then again, the world knew that was coming. And Billy Mays? Okay, well... sure, he wasn't as famous as the others, but he's in every television-owning home every day. His fame was more recent. Shouldn't he get some face time?
And another thing. What the hell is it with death this year? The Grim Reaper's been busy. He took my good friend back in May. He took my brother-in-law's grandfather yesterday. Take a break, big guy. Hell, he even took my favorite stray - yes, it was Mama Kitty who was killed. Asshole.
Now that I'm rolling, I'd want to take a moment to refresh my rant about noisy people. Turn the damn radio down! I mean, seriously. Do you really need to pump out the bass on your way to work? I'd think you'd all be too hung over to want the music that loud. :snerk:
Can I take a moment to vent about personal space? If you're in a store, give a woman at least a couple feet, will ya? Sure, I was chatting with the cashier while you were behind me, but she was still scanning my items. Creeping up my ass isn't going to get her moving faster, and it sure as hell isn't going to hurry me up at all. If I'd thrown an elbow, you'd have been toast. (I think about doing things like that, but I'm never actually going to do it. Unless I snap, of course.)
And please PLEASE don't brush up against me. That's just creepy. Accidental touching is okay, but if there's room enough to get around me in the grocery aisle, do so. Turn sideways like normal people. Or say 'excuse me'. I'll move. Really I will. Don't just push your way through. I don't know where you've been. Eww.
On the other hand, if you're taking up the whole damn aisle, and I say 'excuse me', don't just stand there, ignoring me while you look at tomato juice. I only want to get to the apple juice two feet past where you're loitering. I'd love to give you an elbow to the breadbasket, but I'm too nice. Instead, I will walk all the way down another aisle and back up the aisle you're standing in to get what I want. And I'll bitch the whole way. So there. =op
:deep breath:
Ahhh, that feels so much better. Anything you'd like to get off your chest today?
I could rant about the news that Obama plans on creating yet another government department. "The country's in recession... I know, I'll create a new way to spend the taxpayers' money!" Umm, Mr. President? No thanks. And if you ask me, I could show you some other departments we taxpayers can do without.
Or I could rant about the heat. Yeah, I know it's summer, but I'm not big on winter either. Extremes in either direction suck. I'm a fan of Spring and Fall. That's why I dreamed of living in Seattle when I was going to college. I heard somewhere that the temperatures are mid-range there all year. Yay.
Then again, I could spend some time ranting about the overwhelming press coverage of Michael Jackson's death. He was an icon. He died. Get over it. I'm not trying to be cruel. I liked Jackson (pre-freakazoid stage). But if I see the Thriller video one more time, I'm going to scream. If you watch TV during the day, it's been on at least a dozen times since he died. The first dozen times I watched it in the 80's was enough, thank you very much. Add in the stream of Beat it and every other song he ever sang, and I just want to crawl into a hole.
And what about the other four celebrities who died recently? David Carradine was a cultural icon. (Ahhhh, grasshopper. Take the pebble from my hand.) So was Ed McMahon. Farrah's getting a bit more press after her death, but then again, the world knew that was coming. And Billy Mays? Okay, well... sure, he wasn't as famous as the others, but he's in every television-owning home every day. His fame was more recent. Shouldn't he get some face time?
And another thing. What the hell is it with death this year? The Grim Reaper's been busy. He took my good friend back in May. He took my brother-in-law's grandfather yesterday. Take a break, big guy. Hell, he even took my favorite stray - yes, it was Mama Kitty who was killed. Asshole.
Now that I'm rolling, I'd want to take a moment to refresh my rant about noisy people. Turn the damn radio down! I mean, seriously. Do you really need to pump out the bass on your way to work? I'd think you'd all be too hung over to want the music that loud. :snerk:
Can I take a moment to vent about personal space? If you're in a store, give a woman at least a couple feet, will ya? Sure, I was chatting with the cashier while you were behind me, but she was still scanning my items. Creeping up my ass isn't going to get her moving faster, and it sure as hell isn't going to hurry me up at all. If I'd thrown an elbow, you'd have been toast. (I think about doing things like that, but I'm never actually going to do it. Unless I snap, of course.)
And please PLEASE don't brush up against me. That's just creepy. Accidental touching is okay, but if there's room enough to get around me in the grocery aisle, do so. Turn sideways like normal people. Or say 'excuse me'. I'll move. Really I will. Don't just push your way through. I don't know where you've been. Eww.
On the other hand, if you're taking up the whole damn aisle, and I say 'excuse me', don't just stand there, ignoring me while you look at tomato juice. I only want to get to the apple juice two feet past where you're loitering. I'd love to give you an elbow to the breadbasket, but I'm too nice. Instead, I will walk all the way down another aisle and back up the aisle you're standing in to get what I want. And I'll bitch the whole way. So there. =op
:deep breath:
Ahhh, that feels so much better. Anything you'd like to get off your chest today?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)