Well, Summer’s Here

July 8, 2008 | Writing, life

I can tell because the attic feels like it’s about ninety degrees by noon. This makes for a rather busy morning, followed by a slightly more leisurely afternoon. All I can say, is thank God for laptop. The purchase of my lovely laptop really pushed me to the edge of my budget, but for the convenience of being able to work where ever I need to, it was well worth it.

Okay, enough of my love affair with my laptop. (If I keep it up, I’m liable to get into my great love for my new/used laser-jet printer. After that piece of crap ink-jet, how could I not.) I must say, despite claims that all a writer needs is a pen, paper and imagination–one can not submit hand written manuscripts to an editor–an absolute must for any writer is a decent computer and good printer. Oh, and place you can hide to get the work done. Makes life sooo much easier. 

Okay, made some changes to the opening of my WIP, that I’m much happier with. The cold really slowed me down last week, so I did not get as far on Witch as I would have liked, but I’m back to it this week and am moving right along. I did reread Blood and Bone last week (while sniffly and feeling sorry for myself), and I’m back to rewriting. I have a pretty decent writing schedule in place right now and things really seem to moving right along. (Touch Wood.)

Over the next couple of days I’ll be updating the links page on my website and my blog. I’ve been woefully neglectful here. And I guess that’s it for now.

Mood: Good

Music: If The Sun Refused to Shine - Led Zepplin

My First Review & Other Happenings

June 23, 2008 | Living Lies, Writing, life

I received my first review for Living Lies, and it was a good one. WooHoo!!! You can read it at ParaNormal Romance. I must admit, as nerve wracking as this part of the process is, it’s exciting too.

This week I am determined to finish up the changes for The Witch’s Stone. This is DS’s last week of school and I want to be finished with that MS so I can really concentrate on Blood & Bone and Thicker Than Water over the summer.

The past week I’ve been working to switch my writing schedule from working the WIP in the morning to after DS has gone to bed. So far, so good. Though, it’s tougher on weekends.

Tonight, I’m going out to dinner with some friends. I’m really looking forward it. What’s better than great coversation and great food? Not much!

Mood: Good

Music: Hello, I Love You - The Doors

Today’s Embarrassing Moment…

June 5, 2008 | life

…brought to you courtesy of NOT ENOUGH SLEEP!

So with Living Lies out in just two weeks, (Holy Cow!!!) I’m going like mad working on promotional stuff that I will not bore you with the details of right now. Also thrown in is the usual writing, rewriting, critting and what not.

So yesterday, to get a better handle on things, I started my day at five and wound up working right through until midnight. When I woke up this morning at seven, I was a little bleary eyed and feeling a little rough. To perk myself up, I decided to wear a new outfit that I bought on the weekend. And I did feel much better in my new jeans and top.

I took DS to school, stood in the playground chatting with the other parents then walked home. That’s when I discovered the long sticker with the width and length printed over and over again still stuck to my jeans. Yes, that’s right, I said width. And to add insult to injury said sticker was stuck to my considerable backside. lol!

Yeah, I rock!

Music: Across the Universe - The Beatles

Mood: Amused

Detours and Write Arounds

May 25, 2008 | Books, Writing, life

This week I hit my first snag on the WIP. I’m not terribly worried at this point. These things happen, and fortunately it hasn’t brought the story to a screaming halt. A definate plus. The situation however leaves me with a decision. Do I push on and fix the problem on the rewrite? Or do I stop, go back and fix then move on?

Truth is, I discovered there are two issues that have cropped up. The first, the scenes I wrote last week are leading to a major plot point, but it’s coming up too soon. I need for more information to be revealed before this happens. The second is the romance element has fallen by the wayside while I develop the mystery. Again, this happens. Sometimes I become so fixed on building the story I forget the relationship between the characters and I need to flesh that out some.

This is tricky. I don’t want to spend a great deal of time fixing things further back for fear of losing momentum. At the same time, making the changes now while the ideas are fresh in my head means less work on the rewrite. Hmm, what to do?

I’ll have to deal with the plot point problem immediately, and the write around will be minimal. It’s the fleshing out of the relationship that will be the most work. Hmm. I’ll think on it awhile.

Made a trip to the bookstore last night, and bought three new books because God knows I can’t leave the place empty handed. Today the weather is gorgeous, and what I really want to do is sit in my backyard with a cup of tea (This week’s tea is Bengal Spice, in case anyone cares.) and read one of my new books. What I should be doing is weeding my garden.

So many decisions. 

 Mood: Good

Music: Strawberry Fields - The Beatles

The Sound That Said “Meep” and Other Mysteries

May 22, 2008 | HellHound, life

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  

I’m In A Bad Mood Today

April 11, 2008 | Writing, life

It’s cold and rainy and miserable here today. The temperature fluctuations this week are wreaking havoc on my sinuses so now I’ve got a brilliant headache, (I’m writing this as I wait for the Advil to kick in) I’m out of coffee cream and one of my favorites got voted off American Idol last night.

I perhaps would not have minded so much if his exit had been the result of a poor performance, but it wasn’t. I do, however, think the nonsensical ramblings from the judges swayed the vote. So I’m officially going to stop watching the show. It’s just too aggravating.

Writing has been going well. Hard at work on a new WIP. I’ve set aside rewrites for Blood and Bone for now as I’ve started edits for Living Lies.

Advil is working. Yay! I think I’ll make a pot of vanilla chai tea (so tasty) turn on the fireplace in the attic, light some candles and let the dark, broody day get me in the mood to continue writing my dark, broody story.

Things are looking up

The Internal Clock

March 10, 2008 | Writing, family, life

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

More Snow

March 7, 2008 | Writing, life

Now, I have admitted that I’m one of those crazy people who actually likes winter. I enjoy the snow. But it’s March now, and winter’s charm is starting to wane. Especially with the weather network calling for yet another storm, bringing with it the potential for another 30 to 50 (yes, that’s right, 50!!!!) Centimeters. Blech!! DH is away and I still haven’t shovelled from the last storm we had. (Two days ago.)

On a happier note, I got my first peek at my cover for Living Lies. It’s gorgeous!!! As soon as I can show it off, I will.

Tagged…again.

March 1, 2008 | life

Gina Ardito tagged me for the latest blog virus. First, the rules:

1. Link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Share six random things about you
4. Tag six random people at the end of your blog entry
5. Let the tagged people know by leaving a comment on their blog.

So six random things about me, hmmm. I did eight random things back in May, it’s going to be tough to come up with six more. Oh well, here we go:

1. I love the British soap Coronation Street. I started watching it while my mother stayed with me, now I’m hopelessly addicted.

2. Whenever I’m at the computer I must have either a cup of coffee or tea. I suspect this is a weird throw back from when I used to smoke as I tend to place my mug where the ash tray used to sit.

3. I hate mashed potatoes with a passion. Something about the texture…blech!

4. I have the same birthday as Stephen King.

5. There are two stores that I can’t leave without buying something; bookstores and office supply stores.

6. I will not read a book series out of sequence. Even if it really doesn’t have any effect on the story, I still can’t read them out of order.

That’s it. I was really reaching there at the end, could you tell?

Hez, Kath, Bella, Jerri, Karen and Zaynah, I’m tagging you.

Hump Day

January 16, 2008 | Writing, life

Progress this week has been sporadic. DS has been home with the flu since Monday. I thought he’d be ready to go back to school today, but he’s claiming his stomach is still hurting. I must admit, I suspect I’m being conned here. But even when I told him no video games, he stuck to his story.

WIP is coming along really well. I’m almost afraid to say so in case I jinx myself. I think I’ll be finished it by the end of the month. I wish I could say the same for my rewrite of Blood and Bone. This book is just dragging. I know a big part of that is because of having to set it aside while I rewrote The Witch’s Stone after my computer crashed, but I was still hoping to have it ready to begin submitting to agents this month. Not going to happen.

For this week: another 4k words on WIP
Make a list of what I need to do on Blood and Bone
Tie up loose ends with The Witch’s Stone.

There’s more stuff, but those are my top three.