Archive for the 'HellHound' Category
You Know It’s Not Going to be a Great Morning When…
…the sun isn’t even up and I’m shovelling up garbage off the back deck. The raccoons managed to get into the raccoon-proof green bin (is anything really raccoon proof?) last night, and dragged the contents across the deck. I realized something was up this morning when HellHound wouldn’t come back in after I let him out for a pee. He was too bus enjoying his garbage buffet. Blech!
Writing went well for most of last week, but I was away on the weekend so I’m trying to gain my rhythm again. If I manage to finally finish Blood & Bone before the end of the month, I’m thinking about giving NaNo another try next month.
Edited: I would like to add that my day has improved considerably. As I was about to take DS to school, there was a package in my door. A belated birthday gift. Inside, the entire set of Charlaine Harris’s True Blood novels–I’m so the last person to jump on this novel/show bandwagon. Also, a copy of Romance Sells with my ad for Living Lies in it arrived. The ad looks awesome. Maybe, it’s going to be a better day than I thought.
Posted by Dawn Brown @
12:09 pm |
It’s been a while…
…since we last spoke. And I apologize for being so inconsistent with my blog postings. ‘Tis the season, I suppose.
Today is garbage day. And why, you might ask, is that significant? It’s really not, but as the truck rumbles outside my house, HellHound is barking like a crazy dog. For some odd reason, he hates the garbage men with all the fiery furry of hell. Once we return the recycling bins to the backyard, he slinks up to them sniffing carefully as if he thinks a garbage man will jump out of one of the bins at him. My point is, though, it’s a thin one at best, I’ve come to hate garbage day.
Blood and Bone continues to move at a snail’s pace, but at least it’s moving. I’ve stopped obsessing about it, though–well, as much as I can stop obsessing over anything. 
The truth is, after making some rather large character and pacing changes, the ripple effect that followed has meant I’ve had to scrap a lot and add a lot of new stuff now that I’m nearing the end. I’m no longer just editing, I’m almost back in first draft waters, and that’s why I’m not getting through this at the pace I would like. But I am moving forward, and that’s what matters. (Or so I keep telling myself.)
On the other hand, the WIP continues to move. I really like this story. Very Gothic and scary, with a big paranormal element. Lots of fun to write. Also, now that I’m not thinking so much and listening to the characters more, I can not tell you all the twists and turns they’re introducing to me.
Mood: Good.
Music: Fix You, Coldplay
Posted by Dawn Brown @
1:17 pm |
My Dog is Fat and Other News
So a few days ago we took HellHound to the vet for his check up and his shots where we were told he was significantly overweight. This came as bit of shock to me. HellHound has always been stocky and solid, but I never really though of him has fat. So we’ve put him on the vet recommended diet food and he gets no more treats. He’s not too pleased with us. The vet also did some blood tests to confirm that the weight gain was not a result of his thyroid (a common problem with his breed) and for general wellness. All the tests came back good. So three hundred dollars later we learned we had a fat, but otherwise healthy dog.
I have not had a terribly productive writing week thus far, but I’m turning that around today. At least that’s the plan. DS has less than a month left of school and I really want to be done Blood and Bone by the time he’s out.
My kitchen is coming along well. We’ve done the bulk of the painting. We’ll be ordering the new counter top and picking out the tiles for the back splash this weekend, as well as painting the cupboards.
Off to start the day.
Mood: Good
Posted by Dawn Brown @
12:10 pm |
Happy Tuesday!
Actually, it was the Victoria Day long weekend here so I keep thinking today is Monday.
Okay, we found wheels for the table, put them on and it looks awesome. Glad I did not smash it into firewood as I considered for awhile there.
Not a whole lot is new here. An old friend came to stay this weekend and we had a great time laughing and catching up. That was fun. Sunday and Monday, HellHound was a little upset by the fireworks so he sat beside my bed panting in my face into the wee hours of the morning both nights. Frustrating, but I tried to be patient.
Writing is going well. I’m right on target with the WIP. Blood and Bone is not moving as fast as I’d hoped, but it is moving and I’m pleased about that. On the advice of some crit partners, I’ve had to rework a lot of scenes in the middle. The good news the pacing and tension is great. The bad news, it’s a lot of work, but it will be worth it I think.
That’s it for now.
Music: Everybody Knows – Leonard Cohen
Mood: Focused.
Posted by Dawn Brown @
4:12 pm |
A Room Of My Own
(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
Posted by Dawn Brown @
2:31 pm |
A Great Mood!
I’m in an fantastic mood today.
First, I’ve finally finished my revisions for The Witch’s Stone and sent it off. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Second, I received an awesome review from Fallen Angels Reviews for Living Lies. Five angels and a recommended read. WooHoo!
So with Witch finally finished and off my desk for now, I’m going to get back to Blood & Bone–I would love to have done and ready for submission by September–and back to the WIP. I put aside last week to finish with Witch and I can’t wait to get back to it.
Hellhound is doing better. I wound up cancelling his vet appointment as the spray seemed to bring the hotspot under control in a matter of days.
I guess that’s it for now.
Mood: Excellent
Music: I Feel it All – Feist
Posted by Dawn Brown @
2:45 pm |
The Sound That Said “Meep” and Other Mysteries
This morning I’m suffering the effects of lousy night’s sleep. At four a.m. I awoke to a strange sort of intermittent ‘meep’ sound. It’s kind of like a high-pitched squeak. Not terribly loud, but at four in the morning–without any other household noises–it was loud enough to keep me awake.
I’ve managed to track the noise to the front hall, but from there I’m not sure what’s causing it. Maybe the vents or the floors settling. The house is one-hundred-and-thirty-years-old so it makes odd noises all the time, but this ‘meep’ is starting to get on my nerves. I wondered if it could be the battery in the smoke detector starting to die, DH claims he’s sure that’s not it. I remain unconvinced.
Also, in the relm of the unexplained is HellHound’s turquoise back paw. I can’t find anything that he might have gotten into, and whatever turned the fur on his paw that lovely shad of blue/green washed off easily.
Hmm, so many mysteries this morning.
Mood: Perplexed
Music: Cuts Like a Knife, Bryan Adams
Posted by Dawn Brown @
3:15 pm |
New Used Boots
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. 
Posted by Dawn Brown @
2:18 pm |
Dog Days
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.
Posted by Dawn Brown @
4:15 pm |
Skunks and Other Happenings
So last week Hell Hound got sprayed by a skunk. Really, living here with such a bull for a dog, it was only a matter of time. We bathed him in a mix of vinegar, baking soda and dish soap (though there was a far more recommended recipe that uses peroxide instead of vinegar, but Hell Hound got sprayed in the face and we worried we’d get it in his eyes.) Luckily, he didn’t get bit. I’m a little behind on the rabies shots, but needless to say I have an appointment booked to get him caught up. And as if that wasn’t adventure enough for Hell Hound , while I was checking him for bites I found the beginning of a hotspot.
For anyone who owns dogs prone to hotspots, they know how quickly they can spread. Last year was the first time Hell Hound got them and it took me about a day and a half to realize what was wrong with him. By the time we took him to the vet, they had to shave a third of him. And then end result was a nearly $500.00 vet bill.
This time I caught it right away. It was just a small spot on his face that had barely started to spread. And this time my bill was only $80.00. As much as I hate to admit it, I probably wouldn’t have caught the hotspot so fast if he hadn’t been sprayed by the skunk. Fate is funny sometimes.
My writing has also taken an upswing. The WIP is continuing to come along nicely. I’m approaching the midpoint and I think I know how it’s going to end. But we’ll see. Anything can change.
I’m rewriting B&B again, having managed to work through the snag I’d wound up in. I sent a follow up letter to the editor who has LL so hopefully I get some kind of response soon. And no recent rejections for TWS. No news is good news.
I’m also toying with idea of writing a short story for a specific market. One wouldn’t assume this would be a challenge, but I don’t think I’ve written a short story since high school English class. Condensing an idea to between 10 and 20,000 words will be a challenge for me. But change is good. Or so they say.
Posted by Dawn Brown @
2:18 am |
