You'll notice I haven't posted any resolutions this January. I suppose I could--like finishing both my YA WIPs; like cutting my cholesterol and getting back on my bike this spring--but I don't feel like it. So let's just say it's those three things and move on.
Here's a rare Sam update: We got him this little blue chair, still a little big for his modest frame. Still, he uses it well. He pushes it all over the house, then uses it to climb up to places he ought not, like toy chest tops and kitchen counters and dining room tables. So that's fun.
Beth has taken to bakin'. There is fresh bread all the time. It's fantastic.
Today was red-carpet day in children's books, as most of you probably know, and I have a lot of reading to do, for sure. You may recall a mention of one winner here at the Exile some time ago. I loved it then and am happy with the choice, for sure.
But awards day is something else to me too. It's a day I get particularly fired up to do the hard work it takes to write a really good book. Last year, I had just submitted a complete MS to the AE for the first time, and was taking a little break before shooting off to SCBWI in NYC. This year, I haven't submitted anything to anyone in far too long, and I have a week and a half and a couple of write days and nights before SCBWI in NYC. So I plan to take advantage of the ALA-inspired fire in my gut. With that in mind, I'm making not New Year's resolutions, as I mentioned above, but instead, ALA Awards Resolutions:
1. YA MS the Third: this thing has been sitting about twenty feet from the goal line for months, no exaggeration. Plenty of excuses, but no exaggeration. There are a few scenes I know I need to write, but that will also mean lots of revisions to existent scenes that I love and don't want to revisit. That idiocy ends now. The work will get done on Wednesday and Saturday.
2. YA MS the Second: this needs a synopsis. This time last year, I thought I was about to finish it. I had written about 40k in about a month, and was loving every minute of it. Then plot holes and wrong turns reared their ugly heads (as did another book by a brilliant writer also about a girl and her werewolf man), so I put it on the back burner and have only tweaked it slightly over the last year. That idiocy ends now. I will synopsize this beast by the middle of February.
And that's it. Beyond February 15 (happy seventh birthday, Harry!), I'm not making any promises. Sure, there's that middle grade series that I want to rewrite YA, and there's the story of a couple of background characters in |-1| I want to revisit, but I'll probably make a nice set of post-BEA resolutions.
Oh, and I promise to blog more. Natch.
Showing posts with label resolutions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label resolutions. Show all posts
Updates and BBW
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Clearly, my five posts weekly resolution has been smashed. Then it was stomped on, put out with the recycling, and run over with a steamroller.
Oh well.
Tonight, the first 20-odd pages of YA MS the Third are on the chopping block in my Loft workshop. Early reactions are positive, but I manage to retain fear. It's my nature. I'm strong like that: in the face of positivity, I maintain a lack of composure.
I think I mentioned a trailer for YA Novel the First. Perhaps that was on Twitter. Regardless, I've decided, I regret to say, to redo much of it. The more I fiddled with it, the more of the book I felt I was "giving away," such as it is, and not adding much to the trailer itself, visually or oomph-wise. It eventually became really ineffective. So I'm backing up about three of hours of work, rethinking some of the sketches and the narration script. With a live-in babysitter set to arrive tomorrow afternoon, hopefully I can get it done by the middle of next week.
Not that there's any hurry, of course.
As I just noted briefly, by the way, Beth's mother-in-law will be arriving tomorrow afternoon. She'll be with us until Tuesday. I'd warn you that I might not update much during her visit, but since I've been about the slackingest blogger in Minnesota anyway, why bother.
I can hardly believe I haven't said a thing about Banned Books this week. Everyone did, except
me. Of course, as you likely guessed, I am opposed to the banning of books. That said, I expect someone will challenge |-1|, and that bothers me not at all. It seems to me that much of the art teens have loved since "teens" became a demographic has been heavily challenged, regarded by much of the adult world as somehow dangerous. I don't expect that will ever change. And frankly, if it ever did, I expect art for teens would simply push farther, as it should. The teen age is one defined by its burgeoning individuality and independence from arbitrary adult and societal authority. Absorbing that which is challenged and subversive is a rite of passage, and a crucial one.
Oh well.
Tonight, the first 20-odd pages of YA MS the Third are on the chopping block in my Loft workshop. Early reactions are positive, but I manage to retain fear. It's my nature. I'm strong like that: in the face of positivity, I maintain a lack of composure.
I think I mentioned a trailer for YA Novel the First. Perhaps that was on Twitter. Regardless, I've decided, I regret to say, to redo much of it. The more I fiddled with it, the more of the book I felt I was "giving away," such as it is, and not adding much to the trailer itself, visually or oomph-wise. It eventually became really ineffective. So I'm backing up about three of hours of work, rethinking some of the sketches and the narration script. With a live-in babysitter set to arrive tomorrow afternoon, hopefully I can get it done by the middle of next week.
Not that there's any hurry, of course.
As I just noted briefly, by the way, Beth's mother-in-law will be arriving tomorrow afternoon. She'll be with us until Tuesday. I'd warn you that I might not update much during her visit, but since I've been about the slackingest blogger in Minnesota anyway, why bother.
I can hardly believe I haven't said a thing about Banned Books this week. Everyone did, except
me. Of course, as you likely guessed, I am opposed to the banning of books. That said, I expect someone will challenge |-1|, and that bothers me not at all. It seems to me that much of the art teens have loved since "teens" became a demographic has been heavily challenged, regarded by much of the adult world as somehow dangerous. I don't expect that will ever change. And frankly, if it ever did, I expect art for teens would simply push farther, as it should. The teen age is one defined by its burgeoning individuality and independence from arbitrary adult and societal authority. Absorbing that which is challenged and subversive is a rite of passage, and a crucial one.
"Self-destructive"
Thursday, September 3, 2009
I have a blog? How 'bout that.
Yup, been gone a week. No good reason for it, frankly.
My last Thursday afternoon for work, with MIL sitting Sam, is today. I'll be working mostly on an SAB title, which is nice. My two most promising WIPs (aka YA MS the Second and YA MS the Third) have been gathering dust, not for lack of time (though I haven't been taking write-nights as religiously as I ought to), but for lack of get-up-and-go. I think writing a quick football title for SAB will help me to feel potent again. Let's hope so, 'cause YA MS the Third is so freakin' promising, and yet I am afraid to approach it.
This has always been a problem for me, and I assume for many writers. I write and write like a house afire, and then, upon reaching some roadblock, stop. YA MS the Second has been wallowing for some time thanks to that issue, and I am afraid YA MS the Third is destined for the same fate. Heck, YA Novel the First wallowed on and off for about twelve years. It took some interest from the AE to really bang it into shape.
This afternoon, I have contractual obligations to attack that SAB title. It's due on Monday, after all. But after this weekend, I'm getting my BIC on, religiously. In fact, here's my vow: YA MS the Third will be agent-ready by Halloween.
Not to put to fine a point on it, but just typing that sentence gave me a small anxiety attack.
Yup, been gone a week. No good reason for it, frankly.
My last Thursday afternoon for work, with MIL sitting Sam, is today. I'll be working mostly on an SAB title, which is nice. My two most promising WIPs (aka YA MS the Second and YA MS the Third) have been gathering dust, not for lack of time (though I haven't been taking write-nights as religiously as I ought to), but for lack of get-up-and-go. I think writing a quick football title for SAB will help me to feel potent again. Let's hope so, 'cause YA MS the Third is so freakin' promising, and yet I am afraid to approach it.
This has always been a problem for me, and I assume for many writers. I write and write like a house afire, and then, upon reaching some roadblock, stop. YA MS the Second has been wallowing for some time thanks to that issue, and I am afraid YA MS the Third is destined for the same fate. Heck, YA Novel the First wallowed on and off for about twelve years. It took some interest from the AE to really bang it into shape.
This afternoon, I have contractual obligations to attack that SAB title. It's due on Monday, after all. But after this weekend, I'm getting my BIC on, religiously. In fact, here's my vow: YA MS the Third will be agent-ready by Halloween.
Not to put to fine a point on it, but just typing that sentence gave me a small anxiety attack.
35 is alive.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Today is my thirty-fifth birthday, or so they tell me. I don't remember my birthday, after all; I was just a little baby at the time.
Speaking of birthdays, or more to the point, cakes, this was yesterday's Laugh-Out-Loud Cats, #1133.
There won't be much in the way of celebrating today. I'll be hanging with Sam, as usual, and I'll probably get some pizza for lunch. Then this evening is my first class of the summer semester. I'm pleased about that. The meals (which is how I celebrate birthdays) begin tomorrow night. We're going to try Luci Ancora. I'm pleased about that, as well. And on Saturday, I plan to take part in Write Your Ass Off Day, even though I can't physically join the gang gathering in New York City.
Today seems like as good a day as any to review my New Year's Resolutions. I think I'm not doing so well. Here's the list:
1. Finish both my YA manuscripts! -- Well, I finished the first one, and hell, even sold it. So not too bad. The second is still a WIP, but I have quite a ways to go in 2009 so far.
2. Finish at least one of the titles in my middle-grade trilogy. -- This seems less likely to happen this calendar year. I was a bit naive about just how much time being a dad would take up every day.
3. Blog five times per week. -- Epic fail. But the spirit of this resolution (to not let the Exile fester, unused) I think has been fulfilled.
4. Cover the windows over the couch in plastic. Soon. -- Another fail, but now that it's spring, I don't suppose it matters.
5. Teach Sam to talk, walk, and eat solid foods. -- Solid foods are done. The other two, we continue our efforts.
6. Eliminate caffeine entirely. That is, from my diet, not the world in general. -- DONE! In fact, I often go days with no caffeine at all. Granted, I occasionally have a Mountain Dew. I'm only human. But I no longer suffer headaches if I skip my coffee, which I usually skip.
7. Get an agent! -- DONE!!
8. Stop buying coffees everywhere. Even decafs. -- Well . . . I do buy quite a few decafs still. I'll work on this.
9. Get that pesky old cholesterol down where it belongs. -- Hm. Another epic fail. 2009 thus far has been the year of the hamburger, I'm afraid.
And, if I can do all that stuff, one final resolution:
10. Get my druid to level 80. What?! Not, like, next week, but eventually. Jeez. -- Ha! Done. I think I had this one finished second, after finishing YA MS the First.
Speaking of birthdays, or more to the point, cakes, this was yesterday's Laugh-Out-Loud Cats, #1133.
There won't be much in the way of celebrating today. I'll be hanging with Sam, as usual, and I'll probably get some pizza for lunch. Then this evening is my first class of the summer semester. I'm pleased about that. The meals (which is how I celebrate birthdays) begin tomorrow night. We're going to try Luci Ancora. I'm pleased about that, as well. And on Saturday, I plan to take part in Write Your Ass Off Day, even though I can't physically join the gang gathering in New York City.
Today seems like as good a day as any to review my New Year's Resolutions. I think I'm not doing so well. Here's the list:
1. Finish both my YA manuscripts! -- Well, I finished the first one, and hell, even sold it. So not too bad. The second is still a WIP, but I have quite a ways to go in 2009 so far.
2. Finish at least one of the titles in my middle-grade trilogy. -- This seems less likely to happen this calendar year. I was a bit naive about just how much time being a dad would take up every day.
3. Blog five times per week. -- Epic fail. But the spirit of this resolution (to not let the Exile fester, unused) I think has been fulfilled.
4. Cover the windows over the couch in plastic. Soon. -- Another fail, but now that it's spring, I don't suppose it matters.
5. Teach Sam to talk, walk, and eat solid foods. -- Solid foods are done. The other two, we continue our efforts.
6. Eliminate caffeine entirely. That is, from my diet, not the world in general. -- DONE! In fact, I often go days with no caffeine at all. Granted, I occasionally have a Mountain Dew. I'm only human. But I no longer suffer headaches if I skip my coffee, which I usually skip.
7. Get an agent! -- DONE!!
8. Stop buying coffees everywhere. Even decafs. -- Well . . . I do buy quite a few decafs still. I'll work on this.
9. Get that pesky old cholesterol down where it belongs. -- Hm. Another epic fail. 2009 thus far has been the year of the hamburger, I'm afraid.
And, if I can do all that stuff, one final resolution:
10. Get my druid to level 80. What?! Not, like, next week, but eventually. Jeez. -- Ha! Done. I think I had this one finished second, after finishing YA MS the First.
Recap at 5 in the mawnin.
Friday, February 13, 2009
I skipped a day again. This five per week thing is harder than I thought it'd be. Still, the idea behind it--the spirit of the resolution, if not the letter--was to ensure I kept my blog well up to date, which I think I have been.
Anyway, this post, though dated for Friday, should totally count as Thursday, because it's like 5 in the morning and no one in their right mind is awake and thinking "Hey it's Friday." No. Those in their right minds are asleep, smiling happily and knowing "Ahh it's Thursday night."
Well, I have a lot on my mind, much of which I am not going to say a single thing about.
I will sum up Thursday as best I could, and that's all:
The living room of our cozy bungalow is now mostly baby friendly, and it's become Sam's new playroom, such as it is. (My new favorite overused phrase is "such as it is." Watch for it!) Yesterday, in fact, Sam entertained himself for hours on end, simply rolling around and tugging at things hanging down from the arch of his activity mat. Then, when it was nap time, he started dozing off right there, so I just had to move him to his crib! I guess I didn't really even have to do that, but we're working on getting him accustomed to sleeping in his own room, so I did.
Yesterday, I got confirmation that I will be continuing on as one of the Jake Maddoxes, too, as well as continuing with a couple of other SAB projects I really enjoy. Some new stuff, too, is in the works, for one of my names to do, and I'm excited about those too. But most exciting is that I'll be re-signing my yearlong contract and can let out a sigh, knowing we don't need to make any desperate adjustments to our current financials.
Last night was also my meeting with Aforementioned Editor. It went well. More on that soon, but I will say that the supersecret epilogue is becoming the supersecret prologue, which just hit us both like a wet sock, and is clearly a huge solution, especially since it makes room for the new supersecret epilogue, which is shaping up to be way better.
And now it's Friday. With any luck, the FIL will be feeling better soon, for his own sake, natch, but also for ours: I really want the in-laws to babysit on Sunday so we can go see Coraline in 3D before the Jonas Brothers come along and gross up the 3D screens!
Anyway, this post, though dated for Friday, should totally count as Thursday, because it's like 5 in the morning and no one in their right mind is awake and thinking "Hey it's Friday." No. Those in their right minds are asleep, smiling happily and knowing "Ahh it's Thursday night."
Well, I have a lot on my mind, much of which I am not going to say a single thing about.
I will sum up Thursday as best I could, and that's all:
The living room of our cozy bungalow is now mostly baby friendly, and it's become Sam's new playroom, such as it is. (My new favorite overused phrase is "such as it is." Watch for it!) Yesterday, in fact, Sam entertained himself for hours on end, simply rolling around and tugging at things hanging down from the arch of his activity mat. Then, when it was nap time, he started dozing off right there, so I just had to move him to his crib! I guess I didn't really even have to do that, but we're working on getting him accustomed to sleeping in his own room, so I did.
Yesterday, I got confirmation that I will be continuing on as one of the Jake Maddoxes, too, as well as continuing with a couple of other SAB projects I really enjoy. Some new stuff, too, is in the works, for one of my names to do, and I'm excited about those too. But most exciting is that I'll be re-signing my yearlong contract and can let out a sigh, knowing we don't need to make any desperate adjustments to our current financials.
Last night was also my meeting with Aforementioned Editor. It went well. More on that soon, but I will say that the supersecret epilogue is becoming the supersecret prologue, which just hit us both like a wet sock, and is clearly a huge solution, especially since it makes room for the new supersecret epilogue, which is shaping up to be way better.
And now it's Friday. With any luck, the FIL will be feeling better soon, for his own sake, natch, but also for ours: I really want the in-laws to babysit on Sunday so we can go see Coraline in 3D before the Jonas Brothers come along and gross up the 3D screens!
Stay on target. . . .
Thursday, January 22, 2009
I skipped another day. I shouldn't be playing this fast and loose with a resolution (5/week, remember?) so early in the year.
The fact is, with YA MS the First done, I've been keeping away from the blog, I suppose. But that's a folly. So here's a small update:
1. I submitted the latest, longer draft of YA MS the First to aforementioned editor. When I first submitted this MS (albeit a much shorter version), he read it in one night. I don't hold any such hopes, but still, waiting blows so much.
2. Second meeting of my only class for this semester was last night. I'm not finding it to be very valuable as far as my education education (intentional double) goes, but I am learning a little about the Indigenous nations of North America.
3. The vacation in Azeroth is not the thrill I thought it would be. I don't think I will have any trouble making it only a vacation and giving up the game once again at the end of the 30 days.
4. I've decided while I wait to hear about YA MS the First, I'll get back to work on YA MS the Second. My plan is to make a very firm, strong outline to finish out the title, and to not shrink from the long road ahead. I intended this to be in two parts when I first conceived of it, but upon reflection, that felt daunting. I say daunting it shall be, then! And I will make it happen anyway.
All right, I suppose that's all I've got. I haven't mentioned Sam, but know this: he is right next to me, asleep. He snores a little sometimes.
The fact is, with YA MS the First done, I've been keeping away from the blog, I suppose. But that's a folly. So here's a small update:
1. I submitted the latest, longer draft of YA MS the First to aforementioned editor. When I first submitted this MS (albeit a much shorter version), he read it in one night. I don't hold any such hopes, but still, waiting blows so much.
2. Second meeting of my only class for this semester was last night. I'm not finding it to be very valuable as far as my education education (intentional double) goes, but I am learning a little about the Indigenous nations of North America.
3. The vacation in Azeroth is not the thrill I thought it would be. I don't think I will have any trouble making it only a vacation and giving up the game once again at the end of the 30 days.
4. I've decided while I wait to hear about YA MS the First, I'll get back to work on YA MS the Second. My plan is to make a very firm, strong outline to finish out the title, and to not shrink from the long road ahead. I intended this to be in two parts when I first conceived of it, but upon reflection, that felt daunting. I say daunting it shall be, then! And I will make it happen anyway.
All right, I suppose that's all I've got. I haven't mentioned Sam, but know this: he is right next to me, asleep. He snores a little sometimes.
Young-Adult Manuscript, the First
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Um, I think it's, maybe . . . finished?
Just under 70k words, just over 200 pages. I'm not sure I've fixed all the issues of draft one, but hey, it's book length, right?
And I think, for the most part, it's not too bad.
I'll send it off before the end of the week, I expect. One more read through, since you know I am the typo king, and because I'll just feel better if I read it one more time.
Currently downloading the 10-day trial of WotLK, btw. Heh heh.
Just under 70k words, just over 200 pages. I'm not sure I've fixed all the issues of draft one, but hey, it's book length, right?
And I think, for the most part, it's not too bad.
I'll send it off before the end of the week, I expect. One more read through, since you know I am the typo king, and because I'll just feel better if I read it one more time.
Currently downloading the 10-day trial of WotLK, btw. Heh heh.
Lily is in the can. *giggle*
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
I think I finished Lily's story!
I even think maybe the ending is effective.
That leaves Noah tweaks, a super-secret (and short) Suzanne section, and Simon revisions to do before I can resubmit this puppy. No problem, January 28 deadline!
Watch this space for my return, in which I will undoubtedly declare, "Lily's story in fact sucks! I'm a wreck!"
p.s.: Big ups to the visiting mishpocha for watching Sam and Harry this afternoon. Holla back.
p.p.s.: I'm writing from the lounge in the Ed building at Metro State's Minneapolis campus, which they share with MCTC. This is where the school's gaming club meets. Which brings me to my point: I'm totally taking a month-long vacation in Azeroth when this novel is done. Beth says it's okay, so there.
I even think maybe the ending is effective.
That leaves Noah tweaks, a super-secret (and short) Suzanne section, and Simon revisions to do before I can resubmit this puppy. No problem, January 28 deadline!
Watch this space for my return, in which I will undoubtedly declare, "Lily's story in fact sucks! I'm a wreck!"
p.s.: Big ups to the visiting mishpocha for watching Sam and Harry this afternoon. Holla back.
p.p.s.: I'm writing from the lounge in the Ed building at Metro State's Minneapolis campus, which they share with MCTC. This is where the school's gaming club meets. Which brings me to my point: I'm totally taking a month-long vacation in Azeroth when this novel is done. Beth says it's okay, so there.
Updates
Monday, January 12, 2009
Well, I skipped the weekend, which means I'll have to pick it up to maintain 5/week in here. Shouldn't be a problem.
Anyway, an update on YA MS the first. Last night I slammed down about 3000 words for Lily (mostly a party scene; I think the drunkenness comes across). With any luck she'll be finished up on Wednesday, when the in-laws will be here to babysit at noon, and I'll be in downtown Minneapolis for about five hours with nothing but writing time on my hands before my first class of the semester. (Have I mentioned my slowly ongoing teacher's license in this blog yet? I'm not sure. Anyway, it'll be a few years, at this rate, which is fine. If I have my license done by the time Sam can hit kindergarten, I'll be happy.) So, that five-hour block will probably cinch up Lily, and then I can reapproach Noah, who I think just needs a few tweaks.
Simon, too, is waiting for tweaks, but that will be essentially a couple of hours and a strong cup of coffee. I'm starting to feel more confident about getting this done before the trip to NYC. (Especially with ongoing help from the in-laws.)
This morning, I was hoping to get some work done. Sam, however, had other plans. To think I once I had a knack for getting Sam down for naps. Lately, whatever skill I had seems to be gone completely. Today, when he showed tired signs just before 11, all hell broke loose somehow. It took an hour of shrieking and screaming before he fell asleep, and here, ten minutes later, he's already waking up again. I think maybe he'll go into the swing now.
Anyway, an update on YA MS the first. Last night I slammed down about 3000 words for Lily (mostly a party scene; I think the drunkenness comes across). With any luck she'll be finished up on Wednesday, when the in-laws will be here to babysit at noon, and I'll be in downtown Minneapolis for about five hours with nothing but writing time on my hands before my first class of the semester. (Have I mentioned my slowly ongoing teacher's license in this blog yet? I'm not sure. Anyway, it'll be a few years, at this rate, which is fine. If I have my license done by the time Sam can hit kindergarten, I'll be happy.) So, that five-hour block will probably cinch up Lily, and then I can reapproach Noah, who I think just needs a few tweaks.
Simon, too, is waiting for tweaks, but that will be essentially a couple of hours and a strong cup of coffee. I'm starting to feel more confident about getting this done before the trip to NYC. (Especially with ongoing help from the in-laws.)
This morning, I was hoping to get some work done. Sam, however, had other plans. To think I once I had a knack for getting Sam down for naps. Lately, whatever skill I had seems to be gone completely. Today, when he showed tired signs just before 11, all hell broke loose somehow. It took an hour of shrieking and screaming before he fell asleep, and here, ten minutes later, he's already waking up again. I think maybe he'll go into the swing now.
Just another Friday
Friday, January 9, 2009
Nine days into the year, and I am so far right on track for the minimum five posts per week. I think I've posted every day so far, as a matter of fact. Not too shabby.
Today might have been the most productive day of the week, quite accidentally. I say it might have been, and would have been, if I had thought to bring along my laptop when I took in Beth's car for an oil change and to have the alignment checked. However, I did not think to, so I was stuck at the Harmar BN for a couple of hours. I mainly browsed the children's section, of course, but with all those YA novels in my face (many of which I worked on back at S&S, btw), it made me feel like I could spending my time much more effectively.
Well, eventually I got back home and got right to work, but I only had about 20 minutes to spare at that point. The good news I did manage to finish one Lily scene and sketch out the rest of her story completely. That means the next time I get a good two- or three-hour chunk, I could vey well finish her off. Her story, that is. Not her. She isn't real. Also I would never kill anyone. It's not in me. Well, I guess I would kill off a character, sure. I have, actually.
In other news, this weekend looks to be sort of on the busy side, with a wedding to attend for most of the day tomorrow and chores to do around the house. But we'll see if I can't finagle some writing time in there someplace.
Today might have been the most productive day of the week, quite accidentally. I say it might have been, and would have been, if I had thought to bring along my laptop when I took in Beth's car for an oil change and to have the alignment checked. However, I did not think to, so I was stuck at the Harmar BN for a couple of hours. I mainly browsed the children's section, of course, but with all those YA novels in my face (many of which I worked on back at S&S, btw), it made me feel like I could spending my time much more effectively.
Well, eventually I got back home and got right to work, but I only had about 20 minutes to spare at that point. The good news I did manage to finish one Lily scene and sketch out the rest of her story completely. That means the next time I get a good two- or three-hour chunk, I could vey well finish her off. Her story, that is. Not her. She isn't real. Also I would never kill anyone. It's not in me. Well, I guess I would kill off a character, sure. I have, actually.
In other news, this weekend looks to be sort of on the busy side, with a wedding to attend for most of the day tomorrow and chores to do around the house. But we'll see if I can't finagle some writing time in there someplace.
First you get the power . . .
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Yesterday was not the productive extravaganza of writing I intended it to be. First and foremost, I am a curmudgeon, and as such had a hard time finding someplace to work that satisfied me on all levels. The levels in question are:
Free wifi, reliably. Wifi is nice, but not if you want me to buy credits and pay for it, tyvm BN cafe. Wifi that is free and spotty is worse than pay-per-hour. It can spell disaster.
Good food. If your establishment has free wifi, that's great. But if your burgers are dry, overcooked, without lettuce, tomato, or onion, and on a tasteless white bun, next to obviously-from-the-freezer fries, you fail.
OUTLETS EVERYWHERE. Seriously. This is the big one. If I'm going to set up camp and buy coffees, teas, snacks, and sandwiches for five hours straight, I want to plug in. My battery is good, but it's not that good, and one outlet for every twenty customers just ain't gonna cut it. Especially when that weird lady who had been standing on the corner singing to a photograph is at one of the tables blessed with power. She had a scone, by the way, and whatever she was drinking out of the blue plastic jumbo take-out cup she came in with. She did not use the outlet. Many glared in her general direction. I chose to seek outlets elsewhere.
So I finally settled, much too late, at Brewberry's, mainly because I was cranky and wanted ice cream. NOTE: Brewberry's is not selling ice cream until the spring. Super.
But they do have great coffee, and I did finally get about 2000 words down, which I realized after writing it had been very "tell, not show," so I rewrote all of it this morning. And here we are.
Sam just fell asleep for a nap, a little ahead of schedule, so back at it. I've still got more than three weeks left of January, and probably about 20k words to write, and I still have hope that this YA MS the first will be done before I leave for SCBWI in NYC on January 28.
Free wifi, reliably. Wifi is nice, but not if you want me to buy credits and pay for it, tyvm BN cafe. Wifi that is free and spotty is worse than pay-per-hour. It can spell disaster.
Good food. If your establishment has free wifi, that's great. But if your burgers are dry, overcooked, without lettuce, tomato, or onion, and on a tasteless white bun, next to obviously-from-the-freezer fries, you fail.
OUTLETS EVERYWHERE. Seriously. This is the big one. If I'm going to set up camp and buy coffees, teas, snacks, and sandwiches for five hours straight, I want to plug in. My battery is good, but it's not that good, and one outlet for every twenty customers just ain't gonna cut it. Especially when that weird lady who had been standing on the corner singing to a photograph is at one of the tables blessed with power. She had a scone, by the way, and whatever she was drinking out of the blue plastic jumbo take-out cup she came in with. She did not use the outlet. Many glared in her general direction. I chose to seek outlets elsewhere.
So I finally settled, much too late, at Brewberry's, mainly because I was cranky and wanted ice cream. NOTE: Brewberry's is not selling ice cream until the spring. Super.
But they do have great coffee, and I did finally get about 2000 words down, which I realized after writing it had been very "tell, not show," so I rewrote all of it this morning. And here we are.
Sam just fell asleep for a nap, a little ahead of schedule, so back at it. I've still got more than three weeks left of January, and probably about 20k words to write, and I still have hope that this YA MS the first will be done before I leave for SCBWI in NYC on January 28.
Grumble, grumble
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
I am in no mood to update this afternoon.
I have a wicked cold and cough, a Nyquil hangover (I think there's an ingredient in Nyquil, aside from the alcohol itself, that, as it wears off, puts you in an especially bad mood), and an infant son who is bucking all the rules of the schedule.
Of course, my mood is bad from within, and I am not blaming Sam for it.
Wanna know a secret? When Sam is obviously tired, and I'm obviously being a grump, and Sam keeps spitting out his pacifier and therefore won't fall asleep, and then he looks up at me and laughs, I sometimes think, Stop laughing at me! Pathetic, ain't it?
I want to thank the people at Blogger for not citing "ain't" as a misspelled word. Kudos.
Next stop, Eric Stevens Town, where Mr. Stevens has just submitted his latest Jake Maddox title to the good people at Stone Arch. I should be using this afternoon's free time to work on the mysterious (apparently) YA MS. But, as I noted above, I am in no mood.
I hope I find the proper mood soon, though. It would seriously suck if my big day of writing tomorrow was wasted simply because I'm being such a sourpuss.
I bet you're thrilled to your toes that you bothered reading this entry!
I have a wicked cold and cough, a Nyquil hangover (I think there's an ingredient in Nyquil, aside from the alcohol itself, that, as it wears off, puts you in an especially bad mood), and an infant son who is bucking all the rules of the schedule.
Of course, my mood is bad from within, and I am not blaming Sam for it.
Wanna know a secret? When Sam is obviously tired, and I'm obviously being a grump, and Sam keeps spitting out his pacifier and therefore won't fall asleep, and then he looks up at me and laughs, I sometimes think, Stop laughing at me! Pathetic, ain't it?
I want to thank the people at Blogger for not citing "ain't" as a misspelled word. Kudos.
Next stop, Eric Stevens Town, where Mr. Stevens has just submitted his latest Jake Maddox title to the good people at Stone Arch. I should be using this afternoon's free time to work on the mysterious (apparently) YA MS. But, as I noted above, I am in no mood.
I hope I find the proper mood soon, though. It would seriously suck if my big day of writing tomorrow was wasted simply because I'm being such a sourpuss.
I bet you're thrilled to your toes that you bothered reading this entry!
Satellite Office, DBC
Friday, January 2, 2009
I'm at the DBC on University Avenue right now, working hard and getting through YA MS, the first. I'm pretty happy with what's coming out so far. Probably helps that I've returned for the moment to the main protagonist. Or antagonist, if you know him. Ha!
Anyway, had to drop a quick update, just because my stupid resolution calls for five updates a week, and hell if I'm going to blow it on day two, know what I'm sayin'?
I also dropped ninety-nine cents just now to buy Superchunk's "Driveway to Driveway." The opening riff was used on NPR for some strange reason, uncredited BTW, and I had to hear the whole thing. The Russian site didn't have it. Shock.
Harry pooped in our bed this morning. That's twice in a week. I think he's jealous of Sam finally. I guess we knew this would happen, though I didn't know it would take such a smelly and gross form.
Back to work. I'm excited about finishing this thing.
Anyway, had to drop a quick update, just because my stupid resolution calls for five updates a week, and hell if I'm going to blow it on day two, know what I'm sayin'?
I also dropped ninety-nine cents just now to buy Superchunk's "Driveway to Driveway." The opening riff was used on NPR for some strange reason, uncredited BTW, and I had to hear the whole thing. The Russian site didn't have it. Shock.
Harry pooped in our bed this morning. That's twice in a week. I think he's jealous of Sam finally. I guess we knew this would happen, though I didn't know it would take such a smelly and gross form.
Back to work. I'm excited about finishing this thing.
The Morning After
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Groan
Woke up late* on New Year's Day. I guess, if you stay up past your bedtime**, that'll happen. I staggered into the kitchen and sighed; who likes cleaning up after a wild New Year's Eve***? Nobody, that's who. Empty cans**** everywhere, food debris***** . . . all manner of mess to deal with.
But I push on, because it is a new year, and I am starting on a few of my resolutions right away, including number 3, with this entry, and number 1, for which I will later today head to DBC for a few hours of solid work time, if they are open. [ETA: They were not.]
I have not yet begun work on resolution number 9, and instead made crepes for breakfast at Beth's request. They came out really good, and we ate them standing in the kitchen over the counter like savages--savages with crepes and expensive-looking jellies!
*7:30 am
**9:15 pm
***Punch pizza and in bed by 10:30
****Specifically four empty diet caffeine-free sodas
*****The remainders of a nice mesclun and prosciutto salad with pine nuts. It was quite nice.
Woke up late* on New Year's Day. I guess, if you stay up past your bedtime**, that'll happen. I staggered into the kitchen and sighed; who likes cleaning up after a wild New Year's Eve***? Nobody, that's who. Empty cans**** everywhere, food debris***** . . . all manner of mess to deal with.
But I push on, because it is a new year, and I am starting on a few of my resolutions right away, including number 3, with this entry, and number 1, for which I will later today head to DBC for a few hours of solid work time, if they are open. [ETA: They were not.]
I have not yet begun work on resolution number 9, and instead made crepes for breakfast at Beth's request. They came out really good, and we ate them standing in the kitchen over the counter like savages--savages with crepes and expensive-looking jellies!
*7:30 am
**9:15 pm
***Punch pizza and in bed by 10:30
****Specifically four empty diet caffeine-free sodas
*****The remainders of a nice mesclun and prosciutto salad with pine nuts. It was quite nice.
Resolute
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
I have never done this before, but what the hey.
RESOLUTIONS!
1. Finish both my YA manuscripts!
2. Finish at least one of the titles in my middle-grade trilogy.
3. Blog five times per week.
4. Cover the windows over the couch in plastic. Soon.
5. Teach Sam to talk, walk, and eat solid foods.
6. Eliminate caffeine entirely. That is, from my diet, not the world in general.
7. Get an agent!
8. Stop buying coffees everywhere. Even decafs.
9. Get that pesky old cholesterol down where it belongs.
And, if I can do all that stuff, one final resolution:
10. Get my druid to level 80. What?! Not, like, next week, but eventually. Jeez.
Happy New Year!
RESOLUTIONS!
1. Finish both my YA manuscripts!
2. Finish at least one of the titles in my middle-grade trilogy.
3. Blog five times per week.
4. Cover the windows over the couch in plastic. Soon.
5. Teach Sam to talk, walk, and eat solid foods.
6. Eliminate caffeine entirely. That is, from my diet, not the world in general.
7. Get an agent!
8. Stop buying coffees everywhere. Even decafs.
9. Get that pesky old cholesterol down where it belongs.
And, if I can do all that stuff, one final resolution:
10. Get my druid to level 80. What?! Not, like, next week, but eventually. Jeez.
Happy New Year!
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