News Bite

In case you didn't see it, Jennifer Jackson of the Donald Maass Literary Agency moved her blog to WordPress - so adjust your favorites and links accordingly.  She's also got some news over at her new blog.  Rather than ruin the surprise, I'll let you head over there if you're interested. 

Peace out.

Excerpt over at Tabula Rasa

This morning I posted an excerpt from one of my previous works over at my other blog.  It's the blog I set up in my name and the one I created to post bits and snippets of my writing.  But like so many other things, I created it, was all excited about it and then forgot about it.  As I said over there, I'm going to try and post to that blog more often. 

I hope if you head over there, you enjoy the snippet I posted.  =o)

Getting Things Done

The snowplow woke me up at 4am (okay, so I didn't roll out of bed until 4:20), so I figured this morning would be a good opportunity to talk about getting things done.  Especially since I'm finished with both my blogroll and my Facebook reading already and it's not even 6.

The other day I wrote a couple posts about being lost in a handful of kitty toys without a lifeguard.  I was drowning in a sea of things to do and not getting any of them accomplished.  Everyone was sympathetic and helpful and awesome in the comments.  (Thanks, Everyone.)  A few of people even commented about putting everything on a list and checking even the smallest things off to give myself a sense of accomplishment.  (Thanks Janet, Colene and Alleged.)  I took their advice.

As of yesterday, almost everything from that first list is crossed off - with the exception of my taxes which are almost done.  The biggest item was, of course, finishing UEQ.  It was the clot in my writerly artery.  (I know, eww gross, but the analogy works for me and it's less disgusting than the other analogy I can think of.)  Once I pushed through that, everything else seemed to flow. 

A few of the crossed off items are:

Finish UEQ
Update agent database
Research more agents and add them to database
Clean the toilets
Find and sort receipts for taxes
Enter receipts into spreadsheet
Work on taxes

The new list includes:

Finish taxes
Review DLN query
Send new batch of queries
Address Blink errors & decide whether it's still viable to query
Purge files
Clean the kitchen

So, if you're lost in a handful of kitty toys without a big hunk to pull you free, take a lesson from my blog pals and myself.  Make a list, cross it off, and feel great when you can wad that sucker up to throw away.

What do you feel good about accomplishing this week?

Done dun dun done DONE

In case you missed it last night on Facebook.  I finished UEQ's first draft.  UEQ, btw, is code for Unequal.  It's a dystopian novel set against the backdrop of a world where everyone is equal - and it's against the law to be different.  So, of course, the heroine has to fight to be herself in a society where being who she wants to be could get her killed.

=o)

I love this book.  It's still pretty ugly.  I had to hack my way through the plot-jungle several times and the path isn't always the clearest thing.  But that's okay.  I can trim it up and make it pretty during the edits.  The point is that it is DONE.

Editing will start next month.  The rest of February will be devoted to working on getting DLN out there and to seeing what else I have that someone might be interested in.  Look for my 'Agent Sites' post to be updated in the near future. 

In other news, we're in the midst of yet another winter storm.  It's ZERO degrees right now.  Perfect day for working, reading and crocheting.  I'll also be shoveling.  I'm telling you, if I see that friggin; groundhog, he's a dead man.  Early Spring my ass.

How are things with you?  Anything exciting to share?  How's the weather out your way? 

Super Bowl Sunday Writing Marathon

They'll be playing the Super Bowl today.  For the first time I can remember, I like both teams, so this will be an especially awesome sporting event for me.  I'll be happy no matter who wins - as long as they both play to the best of their abilities.  On that note, however, we've decided to root for the Pack.  (Because, ya know, football is so much more fun if you have someone to root for.)  Aaron Rodgers deserves a win - if only to put all talk of that former Packer QB (who shall not be named) to rest.  Aaron's way better than that dork ever was anyway.

Another big event on the horizon is the end of UEQ.  I just have to wrap up the climax, spread a little denouement around and finish this sucker.  5-10K words max, if that.  The only question is whether I'll finish this before the Super Bowl starts.

Hence the...

Super Bowl Sunday Writing Marathon

Good lord willin' and the creek don't rise, I'm planning on putting my head down and writing so I can get this puppy done today.  Nail it shut and watch football. (6:30 eastern on FOX, btw - 4:30 here)

Who's with me?

Timesucks

Ack.  I can't believe I haven't posted since Wednesday.  I blame Facebook.  And my Dashboard blogroll Reading List thingie. 

I've been a lot more active on Facebook lately.  I see now what all the buzz has been about - and I also see why I avoided it for so long.  It's a huge timesuck.  But now I'm hooked, so I'll just go with it.  It's too late for me.  Save yourselves. 

Either that or friend me so we can be addicts together.  ;o)

As for my Blogger Dashboard Reading List, it's made checking on everyone's blogs so much easier.  I just scroll down the list, clicking and reading.  If I see a new blog I like, I just clickity-click and add it.  I'm reading all over the place and I'm lovin' it.  And I'm also spending way too much time now.  Before - when I was still in the stoneages and scrolling through my favorites one by one - I would spend the morning reading blogs and if someone updated their blog in the afternoon, it would have to wait.  Now I can see it as soon as it posts! 

Huge timesuck.

On the upside, I have been getting some writing done. (Mainly due to saying on FB I'm going to write and then needing to keep my word - so FB isn't a total waste).  I hope to have this sucker finished over the weekend.  (Yes, even with the Super Bowl looming Sunday afternoon.)  I'm working on the BIG CLIMAX scene now.  So it shouldn't be too much longer before I'm done.  Keep your fingers crossed that I don't get derailed.

What are the huge timesucks in your life?  How's your writing coming along?  Are you ready for some football?  ;o)

Lifeguard Needed?

Yesterday I got exactly zilch accomplished.  And there's only so many times I can blame the weather, ya know?  Let's just say I'm still trapped in the kitty toys and I'm drowning. 

Okay.  First things first.  I need to sit down and make a list of everything I need to do and prioritize!  Regardless of what else I do today, I must prioritize or I'll never make it out of this self-imposed quicksand.

:glubglubgurgle:

I think I might need an assistant.  Or at least a lifeguard.

Do you think lifeguards work in quicksand?