Friday Procrastination

March 20, 2009 | family,life,Writing

It’s Friday, DS is home from school and I’ll be watching a friend’s two kids this afternoon. Needless to say, I don’t expect to get a whole lot of writing done today. Bookkeeping, on the other hand, does not require the same concentration, so I should be able to do that while keeping an ear open to make sure all three kids aren’t doing anything too destructive or dangerous. And for those of you who are able to write with more than two children at home, you have my undying admiration.

Truth be told, after Wednesday’s rather lengthy post, I don’t have a whole lot to say. But with that post in mind, I found this cool link called The Writer’s Cave  on Paige Cuccaro’s website. Which just kind of illustrates my point. Writers need their own space.

And now some randomness…

I’m currently reading Vanish With the Rose, by Barbara Michaels. This is actually a reread for me, but it’s one of my favorites by her.

Lost is so good right now. Was I the only one thrilled to see Sun whack Ben in the head with a paddle? HeeHee.

Okay, I’m off to get some stuff done before chaos erupts.

Mood: Good

Music: 5 Days in May, Blue Rodeo (My favorite song of all time, incidentally.) 

A Room Of My Own

March 18, 2009 | family,HellHound,life,Writing

(First off, my email is working again. Yay!!! And I was right, it wasn’t my software. I am now in a much better mood. It’s a little scary just how dependent I’ve become on my email. I also finished rewriting chapter 10 and half of 11 for Blood and Bone. This too has improved my mood considerably.)

So the past few weeks, three to be exact, I had set laptop up in our family room while I worked on books (of the accounts variety, blech!) and my rewrite of Blood and Bone. I had initially started working there because of my cold, but even once I was better, I continued to set everything up on my coffee table, listen to music through the satellite on the T.V. and get to work. It was convenient. I could balance inventory, rework a scene, squeeze in a load of laundry and even do some vacuuming. Hmm, why hadn’t I done this before? I even toyed with the idea of starting to work in our families computer room. After all, sitting at a desk would likely be more comfortable than on the couch, hunched over the coffee table.

Yet while this was happening, a strange sort of shift took place. The day-to-day stuff crept in and the writing started to fall away. Then last Friday, after DS had gone to bed and hubby was out, I decided to work on some new stuff since the house was quiet. But while in the family room, nothing is ever really quiet. First, the dog wanted out. (He didn’t really, he’s just playing the in/out game, but I can’t concentrate when he’s staring at me) Now, I’m in the kitchen, and since I’ll only have to let him in in another ten minutes, I might as well wait for him. The dishwasher is done, I’ll put the dishes away since I’m here. Now, that I’ve done that, and HellHound still isn’t ready to come in, I’ll just fold the clothes in dryer. Save me from having to do it tomorrow. Oh, now Hubby is home and talking to me. At least, HellHound has come in with him. After chatting with Hubby for awhile, it’s now going on eleven. I won’t be writing anything else tonight. Sigh.

The next day, as I’m tidying the house, I go up to the attic put some stuff away and I am imediately struck by the quiet. The lack of sound and the muted blue walls seem to wrap around me. Instead of hurrying off to the next thing I have to do, I drop into my desk chair. Here there is no din from the T.V., no clutter of kid and dog toys, no old newspapers, bills to be paid or school newsletters to be read. In this room there are only my things for writing, organized the way I want them. The only sound is the steady tick of my desk clock. Even the black and white photos on my desk calendar are strangely soothing. This space is entirely mine.

Needless to say, I’m writing this post from the attic. I’ve always believed that the most importnat thing for any writer–more than a fancy computer and expensive software even–is a place that they can work undisturbed, shut off from the real world, where they can lose themselves in the story. The past three weeks just sort of proved my theory, don’t you think?

Mood: Much Better

Music: None  

Hamster Escape

March 2, 2009 | family,life,Living Lies,The Curse of Culcraig,Writing

Yesterday, my morning started with the discovery that ds’s hamster had somehow managed to escape from her cage. I had only just rolled out of bed when said discovery was made. So still half asleep, we tore his room apart searching for her. I was more than a little concerned that the cat might have already found her, Neurotic Kitty is quite the huntress, after all, but we soon heard scratching inside the wall. Not good. Hamster had managed to find a gap between the baseboard and floor in the closet. Fortunately we were able to lure her out with one of her treats. So happy ending for all.

Kind of sad that this was the most exciting thing to happen to me all weekend. I really need to spend less time at the computer, but I don’t see that happening for a while.

I received my galley for Curse last week and spent a fair amount of time reading through that. Very cool seeing the story as it will appear in print.

And speaking of print, Living Lies will be out in print in a mere two months, so between chapters of Curse I was working on promotion. Wow, that was time consuming. On the upside, I did manage to get a decent plan in place so putting it into effect should be easier. I’m certainly better organized than when the ebook came out.

Music: Mercy – Duffy
Mood: Up

It’s Been A While

October 27, 2008 | family,life,NaNo

Hey all, sorry to have been so scarce lately. The last week and a half has been crazy.

DS came down with a throat infection and just as he was getting over that, he had a reaction to the antibiotic he was taking. He wound up with a rash like nothing I’ve ever seen before. The poor little guy was half out of his mind with the itching. Still, we’re lucky the rash was the only reaction he had.

The rash is fading now, and while he’s still a little itchy, he’s definitely getting better. As for me, between fevers and administering Benadryl, I’m on a four hour a night sleep schedule. I’m zonked.

I have managed to squeeze in a little writing time here and there, but much. So with that in mind, I signed up for NaNo this year. Yikes!! I know, I’m a glutton for punishment. On the upside, 50k will be a great kick in the pants for the WIP. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Music: One Thing – Finger Eleven

Mood: Good. Tired, but good. 

The Internal Clock

March 10, 2008 | family,life,Writing

I don’t know if it’s the five foot high snow banks surrounding my house like a medieval wall that’s throwing me off, but my internal clock is having a tough time recognising the time change. I suppose when we spring forward my mind assumes there should be at least some hint of spring outside. Sigh. Well it can’t stay winter forever, can it?

DS has started March Break and DH has most of the week off. I don’t expect to get all that much done this week. (Last week I was very productive so I’m not feeling too guilty about it.) I’m hoping to finish up my research for my WIP. I want to start writing once DS is back in school. I also hope to keep up on my rewrites, one chapter posted to my crit group and another to final draft. And I want to keep up on crits for the ladies in my critique group.

Hmm. Maybe this week will be more productive than I’d planned for.

Mood: Good
Music: The Seeker, The Who

Random Stuff

February 26, 2008 | Books,family,Writing

DS is home with the flu. He’s been sick since he woke up Saturday morning. Today the fever is gone, but he’s still looking a little pale and hollow eyed. Still, he’s also feeling well enough that he’s bored with video games and TV. A good sign.

Obviously I’m not getting as much done on my rewrites as I would like. Sigh. I am, however, still making notes on a new WIP. I’ve come across two potential snags in my story, one I think I’ve solved and the other I’m still trying to work through. I’m also attempting to do a little more research at the beginning of my novel this time (rather than when I’m finished) in an effort to cut back on the number of write-arounds I need to between the first and second draft. This is the lesson I take from Blood and Bone.

I just finished reading Knaves Honor by Margaret Moore. I really enjoyed this book. In fact, I finished it in less than week. I don’t often read historicals, but I like hers. Now, I’m reading Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning. I’ve never read anything by her, but a friend recommended her. I’m only on chapter three, but so far I’m intrigued.

That’s it for now.

New Used Boots

January 23, 2008 | family,HellHound

We had a thaw here a few weeks ago, and all the snow melted. As if to celebrate winter’s momentary lapse, HellHound ate my winter boots. And he did it practically right in front of me. I was sitting at the dining room table talking to DH while HellHound was under the table chewing on what I thought was his bone. Imagine my surprised when I realized.

This past weekend I’d planned to buy myself a new pair, but never did get around to it. (We did, however, finally take the Christmas tree down.) So naturally it snowed yesterday, a good five or six inches and I was forced to traipse through it all in my sneakers.

Last night, I went to my mom’s to help her print up business cards for her store. She took one look at my feet and gave me that look that makes me forget I’m a woman in my mid-thirties, making me feel like I’m a seventeen-year-old instead (and not in a good way either). Then she dug out pair of her old boots to give me. They’re so weird, they look a little like old fashioned cross country ski boots–naturally, I love them.

Ah Mom, you’re the best.

After Christmas Catch Up

December 27, 2007 | family,life

Well, another Christmas has come and gone. Sigh.

I had a lovely holiday with family. It was hectic, but fun. Still, spending all of Boxing Day in my jammies and reading a book was well earned.

My favorite gift came from DH. He bought me an electric woodstove for my attic. No more dressing in layers or aching knuckles while I type. And it does add a coziness ambiance to the room.

DS’s big gift was Guitar Hero (I think that’s what it’s called) for his PlayStation. Truth be told, DH and I have been playing it more than DS. Last night we were up until 1 a.m. My wrist, forearm and fingers are killing me today.

I must apologize for being a touch absent lately. Between the bookkeeping (year end is nearly upon us) and the holidays, I’ve been buried. With Christmas is over, I plan to be much more active here starting…now.

Dog Days

August 1, 2007 | family,HellHound

My mother’s has gone to a wedding in the Caribbean this week, so I’m dog sitting for her. I don’t really mind doing it. I love dogs, after all. But my mother’s dog, who I have renamed Diva, is really high strung and a touch demanding.

When she wants food or water, she kicks her bowl. Not a huge deal, but because she and HellHound are using the bowl as part of their power struggle, (She won’t drink from the bowl after he does. Not that I blame her, he tends to leave a thick film of slobber behind.) has I’m constantly filling the the thing. I’ve filled it four time since I woke up and it’s noon. If I don’t drop whatever I’m doing and fill said bowl right away, she comes over and barks at me then returns to her bowl to kick it some more. I’d also like to point out that HellHound’s bowl is filled with crystal clear untouched water while all of this is going on.

But even more annoying than the water bowl is the barking. HellHound is a real barker anyway. Probably because he’s male and not fixed, he thinks everything he sees belongs to him. So anyone walking by, especially people walking their dogs, will send him into a barking fury. The good news is if doesn’t see it, he doesn’t bark. Diva, however, has excellent hearing so barks at the slightest sound. Her barking gets HellHound barking–even though he doesn’t know why he’s barking–then his barking keeps her barking and viceversa. I firmly believe that if left unchecked, the two of them would bark themselves hoarse.

I Screamed Like a Girl

July 29, 2007 | family,life

This morning while in the bath I was attacked by a centipede. Okay, attacked might be a slight exaggeration. It must have been clinging to the back of my shampoo bottle. I’m not entirely sure because DS had distracted me. He was asking if he could have chips for dessert, since he’d eaten all his breakfast, and I was shouting to make sure he could hear me through the closed door that breakfast wasn’t a meal typically followed by dessert and that I felt 8:30 a.m. was too early for chips. (but I’m one of those strict moms) Then felt something scurry over the back of my hand. When I looked down, a two inch centipede was crawling up my arm. Ugh! What a way to start my morning.