Uh, not good, peeps!
But my kid won her soccer game today! WhooHoo!
Yeah, on the writing front not so good, BUT tomorrow starts NaNoWriMo! Now, I haven't signed up because I'm in the middle of writing my current novel, but it doesn't mean I can't play along! I have many friends playing the game and I intend to be there to cheer them on! AND one of my nieces sent me an email yesterday telling me that she wants to write a book! Yay! She has wanted to write a novel since high school and decided she would regret it if she never tried--so she's doing NaNo! Go, Jen!!
AND Candace Havens is having her Writing Game challenge starting tomorrow! I love this challenge! She randomly picks a number between 100 and 2500 words and that is your goal for the day, BUT you can bank your points for those days when you can't meet the goal--this is the weight watchers of writing! :-) Now, if you aren't writing new stuff, but are editing instead, she has goal pages posted.
I don't like the format I used this week, so I'm ditching it for my next week challenges. I'll try something new. Don't know what, but I'll pull it out of my a$$ and figure it out. I DO think accountability is a big thing.
Speaking of which, here are my totals for this week:
Margaret: 5449/15000 words written, 5 contest entries judged, scores, and commented--will verify scores and send back today
Jody: wrote some, tuned air guitar, partied hard on her birthday weekend
Karin: MIA, but anxiously awaiting grandbaby, did write 2000 words via FB contact and tried to unplug to write more
10/31/09
10/30/09
Day Five
What a sucktastic week! I don't know what went wrong with my plan, but something sure flew out the window!
I had every intention of writing 15K this week. I know I could do it, as I have done it before, but I only have a little over four thousand words. Me thinks I'll need to find writing time this weekend.
Oh, and I believe I'll mention this again--What's up with giving my kid a day off?? Union is the only school in the county that seems to have done this. For goodness sakes, we just had fall break two weeks ago--then all last week my kid was sick, and on Monday she throws up! *sigh* the stars are aligned against me! Or is it a Halloween trick? Just for letting her out of the zoo, I'm taking her to her pediatrician for her H1N1 shot--BWAHAHAHA!
Margaret: 4544/15000 words written & 5 contest entries read, judged and commented on This was what I did yesterday! Entries were anywhere from 18-28 pages long. The scoring system had some redundancy, but rule-follower that I am, I followed. None of the entries stunk, but none of them really stood out. The ones that had a great voice, did poorly with dialogue, plot, conflict. And, of course, the ones that had a great plot fell flat in the voice and characterization department. One of those entries really stuck with me. No it wasn't the highest scoring one, but one that had a wicked WHAMMY! on page 18, the end of the entry. I'm going to go back to this one and offer some additional comments and suggestions. It was loaded with world building that needs to be cut to the minimum so the WHAMMY! is placed between 3-5 pages. Why? Because many agents will request a couple of pages with a query--send them your best stuff!
Jody: air guitar tuned and she even wrote a little. Resting up for a weekend of partying!
Karin: MIA but I found out via FB she intends to unplug this weekend and write, but I fear her grandbaby girl will have other ideas. Wouldn't it be cool to have a Halloween baby?
I plan to continue my writing challenge next week as I follow Candace Haven's challenge, beginning on Sunday. I want to get this stupid story down so I can start fixing it!!
Write on, peeps!!
I had every intention of writing 15K this week. I know I could do it, as I have done it before, but I only have a little over four thousand words. Me thinks I'll need to find writing time this weekend.
Oh, and I believe I'll mention this again--What's up with giving my kid a day off?? Union is the only school in the county that seems to have done this. For goodness sakes, we just had fall break two weeks ago--then all last week my kid was sick, and on Monday she throws up! *sigh* the stars are aligned against me! Or is it a Halloween trick? Just for letting her out of the zoo, I'm taking her to her pediatrician for her H1N1 shot--BWAHAHAHA!
Margaret: 4544/15000 words written & 5 contest entries read, judged and commented on This was what I did yesterday! Entries were anywhere from 18-28 pages long. The scoring system had some redundancy, but rule-follower that I am, I followed. None of the entries stunk, but none of them really stood out. The ones that had a great voice, did poorly with dialogue, plot, conflict. And, of course, the ones that had a great plot fell flat in the voice and characterization department. One of those entries really stuck with me. No it wasn't the highest scoring one, but one that had a wicked WHAMMY! on page 18, the end of the entry. I'm going to go back to this one and offer some additional comments and suggestions. It was loaded with world building that needs to be cut to the minimum so the WHAMMY! is placed between 3-5 pages. Why? Because many agents will request a couple of pages with a query--send them your best stuff!
Jody: air guitar tuned and she even wrote a little. Resting up for a weekend of partying!
Karin: MIA but I found out via FB she intends to unplug this weekend and write, but I fear her grandbaby girl will have other ideas. Wouldn't it be cool to have a Halloween baby?
I plan to continue my writing challenge next week as I follow Candace Haven's challenge, beginning on Sunday. I want to get this stupid story down so I can start fixing it!!
Write on, peeps!!
10/29/09
Day Four
Another non-productive day! :-( Again, no real reason except that it was chopped up and I couldn't get my mind around my story. My day is actually longer than posted, but in theory this is my writing time. No, I don't function AT ALL after dinner, so no late night writing for me!
8:15 submitted two first paragraphs (DC and RM) to Lori Brighton's contest to bejudged by Kensington editor. Both are in first person POV, not holding my breath. At least the top 20 will know that it 'fits' Kensington's lines.
8:35 walked kiddo to school
8:45-9:45 goofing off and blog hopping. Erica Orloff did an impromptu pitch feedback session. Subbed MOGG. Good feedback, needs a little more to make it better.
9:45-11:00 hubster called, meeting early for lunch, tried to get back to computer, but cat had vomitus ups issues, did laundry, cleaned up cat room--only to have to clean it again due to him using the litter box and sprinkling crunchies around the laundry room.
11:00-1:10 Lunch, shopping at fabric store, back to his work to get flu shot
1:10-2:00 Shopping at new Target. Of course, the layout is freaking different. And why the hell are the light bulbs near the baby clothes???? Okay, they are near the automotive and furniture area, too. But still across the freaking store?
2:00-3:15 put up groceries, stared at computer, updated FB status--felt like crap. Due to shot or front moving in?
3:20 got child from school
3:30-4:15 helped child with homework
4:15-6:00 started Chicken Tortilla soup while kiddo watched new Tinkerbelle movie, worked on my farm in Farmville
There you have it, my non-productive day broken down into segments.
Arm still hurts from shot, but my Tylenol PM did the trick and I 'feel' better, except for my shot arm.
Margaret: 4,504/15,000 completed--no new words. Okay, a few words, but I'm saving them for today's total.
Jody: No new words. Day job stuff. Tuning air guitar for Halloween/birthday weekend
Karin: MIA
I HAVE to get it together today. I just found out the kiddo is out of school tomorrow.
What's up with that Union School District???
Write on!
8:15 submitted two first paragraphs (DC and RM) to Lori Brighton's contest to bejudged by Kensington editor. Both are in first person POV, not holding my breath. At least the top 20 will know that it 'fits' Kensington's lines.
8:35 walked kiddo to school
8:45-9:45 goofing off and blog hopping. Erica Orloff did an impromptu pitch feedback session. Subbed MOGG. Good feedback, needs a little more to make it better.
9:45-11:00 hubster called, meeting early for lunch, tried to get back to computer, but cat had vomitus ups issues, did laundry, cleaned up cat room--only to have to clean it again due to him using the litter box and sprinkling crunchies around the laundry room.
11:00-1:10 Lunch, shopping at fabric store, back to his work to get flu shot
1:10-2:00 Shopping at new Target. Of course, the layout is freaking different. And why the hell are the light bulbs near the baby clothes???? Okay, they are near the automotive and furniture area, too. But still across the freaking store?
2:00-3:15 put up groceries, stared at computer, updated FB status--felt like crap. Due to shot or front moving in?
3:20 got child from school
3:30-4:15 helped child with homework
4:15-6:00 started Chicken Tortilla soup while kiddo watched new Tinkerbelle movie, worked on my farm in Farmville
There you have it, my non-productive day broken down into segments.
Arm still hurts from shot, but my Tylenol PM did the trick and I 'feel' better, except for my shot arm.
Margaret: 4,504/15,000 completed--no new words. Okay, a few words, but I'm saving them for today's total.
Jody: No new words. Day job stuff. Tuning air guitar for Halloween/birthday weekend
Karin: MIA
I HAVE to get it together today. I just found out the kiddo is out of school tomorrow.
What's up with that Union School District???
Write on!
10/28/09
Day Three
Grr . . . .
Yesterday wasn't a good writing day. No excuses. Just couldn't get into the story. I needed to put a little backstory in to explain what happened to my character that tossed her into her current mess. Talk about bland and boring! Ugh!
About 4:15, I gave up on writing and decided to start editing from page one.
Margaret (goal 15ooo words): M+T: 4,544 words. 2 pages edited GRRRRR!
Jody: wrote and illustrated for two hours.
Karin: MIA probably due to killing her son, but that's just my opinion.
About 4 AM I woke up and figured what was missing--the Suspense! Yes, I need to go into the bad guys POV and get the ball rolling!
Eating lunch with hubster and getting flu shot, plus grocery shopping. Will throw a crimp in my day, but if I'm cranking this AM then it should be good.
I know a few of you have been sending me nice comments, Kira, Edie and Susan come to mind, I'm not answering any this week, but I do appreciate all your support!
Write on!
Yesterday wasn't a good writing day. No excuses. Just couldn't get into the story. I needed to put a little backstory in to explain what happened to my character that tossed her into her current mess. Talk about bland and boring! Ugh!
About 4:15, I gave up on writing and decided to start editing from page one.
Margaret (goal 15ooo words): M+T: 4,544 words. 2 pages edited GRRRRR!
Jody: wrote and illustrated for two hours.
Karin: MIA probably due to killing her son, but that's just my opinion.
About 4 AM I woke up and figured what was missing--the Suspense! Yes, I need to go into the bad guys POV and get the ball rolling!
Eating lunch with hubster and getting flu shot, plus grocery shopping. Will throw a crimp in my day, but if I'm cranking this AM then it should be good.
I know a few of you have been sending me nice comments, Kira, Edie and Susan come to mind, I'm not answering any this week, but I do appreciate all your support!
Write on!
10/27/09
Day Two
Wow! I was off and running yesterday! I skimmed the last few pages of RM and it wasn't too bad. Interpretation: not total dreck. And I started writing--and this WAS total dreck, but I can fix dreck.
I had finished roughly 2000 words (6 pages) when I got a call from the school nurse. The kiddo threw up at lunch and they have to send her home. Well, crap.
After I picked her up and grilled her about it, it turns out she may have thrown up, but she really wasn't sick. My child is a puker. She always has been. When she was a wee one, I knew she would never choke on anything--she'd puke it up. Anyhoo, they had science today and were dissecting owl 'pellets'. Owls eat their prey whole and regurge the lefties (fur and bones) after all the yummy stuff is digested. After science, the child went to lunch and had a chicken sandwich, she bit into something crunchy . . . and you guessed it, puked up her lunch. Ah, the thrill of being a mother!
She came home and read. I wrote.
Margaret (goal 15,000 words): Mon.--3171 words!
Jody: wrote
Karin: I know she wrote, but this Grandma-to-be is thinking about the pending birth of her Grandbaby!
I'm ready to go again! It's nice to be progressing on something again.
Write on!
I had finished roughly 2000 words (6 pages) when I got a call from the school nurse. The kiddo threw up at lunch and they have to send her home. Well, crap.
After I picked her up and grilled her about it, it turns out she may have thrown up, but she really wasn't sick. My child is a puker. She always has been. When she was a wee one, I knew she would never choke on anything--she'd puke it up. Anyhoo, they had science today and were dissecting owl 'pellets'. Owls eat their prey whole and regurge the lefties (fur and bones) after all the yummy stuff is digested. After science, the child went to lunch and had a chicken sandwich, she bit into something crunchy . . . and you guessed it, puked up her lunch. Ah, the thrill of being a mother!
She came home and read. I wrote.
Margaret (goal 15,000 words): Mon.--3171 words!
Jody: wrote
Karin: I know she wrote, but this Grandma-to-be is thinking about the pending birth of her Grandbaby!
I'm ready to go again! It's nice to be progressing on something again.
Write on!
10/26/09
Day One
Today's the first day of my FCS writing challenge! Yay!
I only had three peeps, including myself who responded, BUT will welcome anyone up for the challenge no matter when you hop in to play the game!
This will be a tough week for me because I didn't accomplish yesterday's goals. :-(
--But I decided to rework only one or two pages prior to walking the kiddo to school. Once she's in school, it's new words only until I finish my word count for the day, then I can diddle with editing.
--my buddy Jody got back to me with comments on my synopsis. Definitely food for thought, though easy fixes. Jods didn't understand why my character buys a Civic Hybrid when she's in such a high-powered type of job. Hmm, I need my character financing some sort of money pit. . . me thinks she should own a horse . . .
--Just got a judging packet for the Linda Howard contest. Five paranormals with a due date of November 29. I HATE putting judging off, but I can't judge until I get my daily word count in. I'll post calender appointments for the weekends, reminding me. Doing one or two every weekend or after my daily writing will finish them in a reasonably timely fashion.
--I haven't heard from this week's recapper for my GIAM loop. Hell, it looks like I might have to get that together, too! Karin doesn't seem to be the only one who thrives on stress!!
On to FCS challenge taker-uppers!
Margaret: goal 15000
Jody: no word count goal
Karin: 2000 words a day
We may be small, but we are a mighty group of players! Come join the fun!
Write on!
I only had three peeps, including myself who responded, BUT will welcome anyone up for the challenge no matter when you hop in to play the game!
This will be a tough week for me because I didn't accomplish yesterday's goals. :-(
--But I decided to rework only one or two pages prior to walking the kiddo to school. Once she's in school, it's new words only until I finish my word count for the day, then I can diddle with editing.
--my buddy Jody got back to me with comments on my synopsis. Definitely food for thought, though easy fixes. Jods didn't understand why my character buys a Civic Hybrid when she's in such a high-powered type of job. Hmm, I need my character financing some sort of money pit. . . me thinks she should own a horse . . .
--Just got a judging packet for the Linda Howard contest. Five paranormals with a due date of November 29. I HATE putting judging off, but I can't judge until I get my daily word count in. I'll post calender appointments for the weekends, reminding me. Doing one or two every weekend or after my daily writing will finish them in a reasonably timely fashion.
--I haven't heard from this week's recapper for my GIAM loop. Hell, it looks like I might have to get that together, too! Karin doesn't seem to be the only one who thrives on stress!!
On to FCS challenge taker-uppers!
Margaret: goal 15000
Jody: no word count goal
Karin: 2000 words a day
We may be small, but we are a mighty group of players! Come join the fun!
Write on!
10/25/09
Writing Grind!
Okay, Ya'll!
I have been such a freakin' slacker in the writing department recently! Vacation and illness have taken their toll on my motivation and I HAVE TO WRITE!
--not because of some stupid voice in my head, but because I need to get roughtly 60K words written by November 16--Golden Heart deadline for registration and entry fees! I'll still have ten days to add wordage after that deadline, but to justify the financial expenditure I need to have a substantial amount written.
That's three weeks, people! I have 18K, but it needs to be tweaked/edited/tightened by the end of TODAY (tomorrow at the latest plus my Monday goal of 3000 words), so I can start fresh tomorrow. And I can't forget to fit in my walk or Wii Fit time!
Which means I want to write 15 K this week to get to my goal--Monday thru Friday ONLY--my weekends are for family.
I know some of you have been side-tracked with life, work and other stuff so this is a good chance to get your butt in the chair and start writing again, be it 100 words a day or 3000 words a day. Send me a note in a comment on this blog, a note on my facebook wall, or in an email magolla@cox.net and I'll post your name and goal for the week along with your culmative page or word count. I'll be posting the totals from the previous day between 6-7 AM CST.
Margaret: goal 15,000 words--M, T, and W: XXXX words.
And if I'm doing it alone I'm okay with it, but this could be the refresher you need prior to starting NaNo if that is your goal.
So are you with me???!!
Write on!
I have been such a freakin' slacker in the writing department recently! Vacation and illness have taken their toll on my motivation and I HAVE TO WRITE!
--not because of some stupid voice in my head, but because I need to get roughtly 60K words written by November 16--Golden Heart deadline for registration and entry fees! I'll still have ten days to add wordage after that deadline, but to justify the financial expenditure I need to have a substantial amount written.
That's three weeks, people! I have 18K, but it needs to be tweaked/edited/tightened by the end of TODAY (tomorrow at the latest plus my Monday goal of 3000 words), so I can start fresh tomorrow. And I can't forget to fit in my walk or Wii Fit time!
Which means I want to write 15 K this week to get to my goal--Monday thru Friday ONLY--my weekends are for family.
I know some of you have been side-tracked with life, work and other stuff so this is a good chance to get your butt in the chair and start writing again, be it 100 words a day or 3000 words a day. Send me a note in a comment on this blog, a note on my facebook wall, or in an email magolla@cox.net and I'll post your name and goal for the week along with your culmative page or word count. I'll be posting the totals from the previous day between 6-7 AM CST.
Margaret: goal 15,000 words--M, T, and W: XXXX words.
And if I'm doing it alone I'm okay with it, but this could be the refresher you need prior to starting NaNo if that is your goal.
So are you with me???!!
Write on!
10/23/09
I'm Home
I CAN'T HANDLE IT ANY MORE!!!
Sorry, but I have to blog. It's not like I have anything to say, but blogging helps me get my writing juices flowing. I think reading Erica Orloff's blog for today helped me put it all into perspective.
I darkened my blog for two reasons: 1) to get humping on my Golden Heart entry, 2) to go on vacation. Yes, I went to Florida, Disney World and Universal, for nine days. If you ever want to visit Universal and Islands of Adventure stay in one of the Universal parks (we stayed at the Portofino). Why? Because of the super-duper cut-in-front-of-everyone-else in line perk! Talk about awesome! We jumped (legally) so many lines it wasn't even funny. Riding The Hulk back to back about four times before moving on to Dueling Dragons, etc. It was awesome! Way better than the Disney Fast Pass system. This was our first year at the Universal parks. We wanted to wait until the kiddo was tall enough for the roller coasters and she had a great time.
On Tuesday, we moved into our Disney hotel, Wilderness Lodge, and started hitting the Disney parks. The crowds at Disney were three-fold what they were at Universal with a multitude of languages being spoken (yes, I'm chalking the Brits into this category, 'cause you have to tune your ear to their dialect).
EPCOT was having it's Wine and Food around the World thing. Interesting, but I'll NEVER do it again. In case I haven't stated it before, I'll repeat: I don't do crowds. I hate crowds with a passion and these crowds rivaled the ones that are at Disney during the summer. UGH!! And the heat! Florida was having a heat wave for October. Yes, the temps were between 93-95 with high humidity. Double ugh!
By Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the water park, Typhoon Lagoon, I was starting to get a tickle in my throat. Thursday, I wanted to curl up and die. Every time I coughed it felt like my ribs were going to explode. Thursday night, I went to the hotel while the hubster and kiddo went to the Magic Kingdom to watch the SpectroMagic parade (twice), the fireworks, and ride a gazillion rides. I watched America's Next Top Model. Yeah . . .
I started feeling better by the time we left on Sunday, which means the kiddo started getting sick. She's been home with me all week, spiking 103 degree temperature. Took her to the doc on Monday and she's positive for Influenza A. Turns out 81% of positive Flu A patients are positive for H1N1. It's settled in her chest, so I'm calling the doc again. Pneumonia is one of the hazards of the flu, along with dehydration. Hubster was home on Wednesday and Thursday. He still feels like crap, but he went to work today--probably to infect the rest of his employees.
I'm still planning to finish Rosewood Manor in time for the Golden Heart. If I can read my pathetic synopsis and first fifty pages this weekend then I'm good to go on Monday.
Here's hoping!
Write on!
Sorry, but I have to blog. It's not like I have anything to say, but blogging helps me get my writing juices flowing. I think reading Erica Orloff's blog for today helped me put it all into perspective.
I darkened my blog for two reasons: 1) to get humping on my Golden Heart entry, 2) to go on vacation. Yes, I went to Florida, Disney World and Universal, for nine days. If you ever want to visit Universal and Islands of Adventure stay in one of the Universal parks (we stayed at the Portofino). Why? Because of the super-duper cut-in-front-of-everyone-else in line perk! Talk about awesome! We jumped (legally) so many lines it wasn't even funny. Riding The Hulk back to back about four times before moving on to Dueling Dragons, etc. It was awesome! Way better than the Disney Fast Pass system. This was our first year at the Universal parks. We wanted to wait until the kiddo was tall enough for the roller coasters and she had a great time.
On Tuesday, we moved into our Disney hotel, Wilderness Lodge, and started hitting the Disney parks. The crowds at Disney were three-fold what they were at Universal with a multitude of languages being spoken (yes, I'm chalking the Brits into this category, 'cause you have to tune your ear to their dialect).
EPCOT was having it's Wine and Food around the World thing. Interesting, but I'll NEVER do it again. In case I haven't stated it before, I'll repeat: I don't do crowds. I hate crowds with a passion and these crowds rivaled the ones that are at Disney during the summer. UGH!! And the heat! Florida was having a heat wave for October. Yes, the temps were between 93-95 with high humidity. Double ugh!
By Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the water park, Typhoon Lagoon, I was starting to get a tickle in my throat. Thursday, I wanted to curl up and die. Every time I coughed it felt like my ribs were going to explode. Thursday night, I went to the hotel while the hubster and kiddo went to the Magic Kingdom to watch the SpectroMagic parade (twice), the fireworks, and ride a gazillion rides. I watched America's Next Top Model. Yeah . . .
I started feeling better by the time we left on Sunday, which means the kiddo started getting sick. She's been home with me all week, spiking 103 degree temperature. Took her to the doc on Monday and she's positive for Influenza A. Turns out 81% of positive Flu A patients are positive for H1N1. It's settled in her chest, so I'm calling the doc again. Pneumonia is one of the hazards of the flu, along with dehydration. Hubster was home on Wednesday and Thursday. He still feels like crap, but he went to work today--probably to infect the rest of his employees.
I'm still planning to finish Rosewood Manor in time for the Golden Heart. If I can read my pathetic synopsis and first fifty pages this weekend then I'm good to go on Monday.
Here's hoping!
Write on!
10/9/09
Blog Going Dark
Hey all!
Since I'm seriously trying to write an entire novel in time for the 11/16/09 entry cut-off for the Golden Heart, I'm going to let this blog go dark. I might post sporadically, but if I can buckle down and finish this draft then I need to do it. I'll post if something interesting happens, but other than that I'm going to try to write roughly 5000-words five days a week for at least three weeks.
Ciao! and Write On!
BICHOK! (butt in chair, hands on keyboard)
Since I'm seriously trying to write an entire novel in time for the 11/16/09 entry cut-off for the Golden Heart, I'm going to let this blog go dark. I might post sporadically, but if I can buckle down and finish this draft then I need to do it. I'll post if something interesting happens, but other than that I'm going to try to write roughly 5000-words five days a week for at least three weeks.
Ciao! and Write On!
BICHOK! (butt in chair, hands on keyboard)
10/7/09
Golden Heart
My mind has been a sieve lately. I don't know why, but it could be one of two things: allergies or I decided to enter RWA's Golden Heart contest.
Okay, it's actually both those things. Allergies tend to cause an influx of snot and inflammation making it hard to concentrate. The GH tends to send one into a spasms of 'what the hell was I thinking?'
Now, entering the contest isn't a done deal for a couple of reasons.
1) I don't have a finished manuscript to enter,
2) I haven't plunked down my $50 bucks yet--due date to enter the contest is Nov. 16th.
As I have mentioned before, I like a challenge. The manuscript I'm thinking of entering--provided I finish it!--I started writing in February 2007. It finaled in a contest, but I lost interest in it, probably due to the numerous twists and turns in the prospective plot and I was afraid. Yes, me, a scaredy cat. It's still complicated, BUT I've had over two years of writing growth with other stories and I've been working out the plot in my subconscious. I think I'm ready to write. I have 18,000-words fresh words written--same plot points, but rewritten from scratch. BUT I'll have to cut the last chapter I wrote--it's in the wrong POV.
Anyhoo, I have five weeks to write a synopsis (this week's goal) and roughly 60-70K. Can it be done? Sure it can! Will it be clean? Uh, I'll have to get back with you on that one!
But if I can get close enough to THE END, then I'm going to enter the contest. I'll have roughly ten days to clean it up as the hardcopies must be in Houston by 5:00 PM Dec. 2nd.
So what is your goal for the end of the year?
Enter the Golden Heart?
Join NaNo to pound out a 50K story?
Sit on your butt and eat bonbons?
The holidays will soon be upon us, making time to write harder to find. Now is the time to strike!
Anyone care to join me in the Golden Heart challenge?
Now I must get this synopsis written, so . . .
Write on!
Okay, it's actually both those things. Allergies tend to cause an influx of snot and inflammation making it hard to concentrate. The GH tends to send one into a spasms of 'what the hell was I thinking?'
Now, entering the contest isn't a done deal for a couple of reasons.
1) I don't have a finished manuscript to enter,
2) I haven't plunked down my $50 bucks yet--due date to enter the contest is Nov. 16th.
As I have mentioned before, I like a challenge. The manuscript I'm thinking of entering--provided I finish it!--I started writing in February 2007. It finaled in a contest, but I lost interest in it, probably due to the numerous twists and turns in the prospective plot and I was afraid. Yes, me, a scaredy cat. It's still complicated, BUT I've had over two years of writing growth with other stories and I've been working out the plot in my subconscious. I think I'm ready to write. I have 18,000-words fresh words written--same plot points, but rewritten from scratch. BUT I'll have to cut the last chapter I wrote--it's in the wrong POV.
Anyhoo, I have five weeks to write a synopsis (this week's goal) and roughly 60-70K. Can it be done? Sure it can! Will it be clean? Uh, I'll have to get back with you on that one!
But if I can get close enough to THE END, then I'm going to enter the contest. I'll have roughly ten days to clean it up as the hardcopies must be in Houston by 5:00 PM Dec. 2nd.
So what is your goal for the end of the year?
Enter the Golden Heart?
Join NaNo to pound out a 50K story?
Sit on your butt and eat bonbons?
The holidays will soon be upon us, making time to write harder to find. Now is the time to strike!
Anyone care to join me in the Golden Heart challenge?
Now I must get this synopsis written, so . . .
Write on!
10/5/09
Banff Retreat 2009
Banff Springs hotel, view from Bow Falls.Originally, I called this a 'writing retreat', but it ended up just being a 'me' retreat instead. But I'm okay with that. Who would want to sit inside writing when you could be outdoors enjoying the wonderful Canadian air? I sure didn't.
And mega-kudos to Grandma for stepping up, and watching, not only the dog, cat, guinea pig, Blinky the Beta, and a gazillion Koi, but also the eight year old munchkin for SIX days!! Woo-Hoo! What a woman!
On Friday (9/25) we took the kiddo lunch and said our good-byes. The entire trip to Canada went smoothly (reading material: Toni McGee Causy's When a Man Loves a Weapon)with the exception of one minor detail--neither one of us had a pen to fill out the customs form. Ooopsie! And Canada didn't seem to feel they should provide the impliment. Double oopsie! After begging a pen from a nice gentleman, I happened to get into the quickest damn line in the place and scribbled my info onto the slip. We were in Calgary Canada.
We stayed at a hotel instead of hubster's sister's house because they have a very large family and a relatively small house, so we stayed in a hotel--a Hampton Inn, BTW--they have the BEST freaking beds! Check out the revamped ones!
On Saturday (9/26) we spent time with the family. Walking, talking, hanging out and go-carting. Yeah, notice the two idiots who didn't have their helmets on? Yeah, that's the hubster and me. Little did we know that the go-carts were kamikazee go-carts, complete with sticky gas petals and stiff steering wheels. M
ore than one kid zoomed up the old tire embankments and had to be pushed off. Luckily no one flipped theirs . . . at least, none that I saw.
ore than one kid zoomed up the old tire embankments and had to be pushed off. Luckily no one flipped theirs . . . at least, none that I saw. On Sunday (9/27) we visited with the family some more. Hubster fixed his sister's computer and I chatted. His sister showed me her portfolio of metal garden art--she's really doing some awesome Objects! We had to leave to pick up one of Todd's employee's at the airport and then drove to Banff. I crashed the welcome reception and imbibed a couple of beers. We had a pretty nice room, but it didn't have the best views so I never bothered to take a picture.
Monday (9/28) Hubster went to his meetings and I took my time getting up. :-) Once moving around, I explored the castle . . . oops, hotel.
Checked out the mega expensive shops and decided to go see Bow Falls.
Going down to the falls was easy. It was coming back up the stairs that I had my doubts, so I decided to walk to town. Banff is a quaint little town that is in the middle of a Canadian National forest, so they aren't allowed to build without special permits and hotels are not allowed. If you don't want to stay at the big hotel or a B & B, you have to drive back to Canmore (@ 20-30 minute drive) to find a hotel. Anyhoo, once I walked back to the hotel I was beat and laid on the couch to read (Jayne Castle's Obsidian Prey). Dinner was at Castello Ristorante, an Italian restaurant. Very nice.
Hoodoos are next to my right shoulder.
Checked out the mega expensive shops and decided to go see Bow Falls.
Going down to the falls was easy. It was coming back up the stairs that I had my doubts, so I decided to walk to town. Banff is a quaint little town that is in the middle of a Canadian National forest, so they aren't allowed to build without special permits and hotels are not allowed. If you don't want to stay at the big hotel or a B & B, you have to drive back to Canmore (@ 20-30 minute drive) to find a hotel. Anyhoo, once I walked back to the hotel I was beat and laid on the couch to read (Jayne Castle's Obsidian Prey). Dinner was at Castello Ristorante, an Italian restaurant. Very nice.
Tuesday (9/29) I actually took my computer and sat down to write. Remember me mentioning that all I needed was a plug, a view and a beer? Well, I got two out of the three. For some reason, they don't serve beer at ten in the morning. . . go figure. Anyhoo, I wrote for awhile and managed to get 500 words written. 
Left: My view from Rundle Hall.
Left: My view from Rundle Hall.
It's not much, but it was better than the previous week! More wandering around and then hubster cut his afternoon classes. :-) 
Right: Hubster and me at Bow Falls
Right: Hubster and me at Bow Falls
We walked to Bow Falls and to town. This time we bought prezzies for our kiddo and hubster got a few things, too. Me, I got nuthin'. We walked back to the hotel to get the car to drive to see the hoodoos. 
Originally, I planned to walk to them--uh, did you know maps lie? Yeah, the hoodoo's were like MILES away! We came, we saw, we took a picture. This is our motto. Went back to town and ate at a pub and called it an early night.
Originally, I planned to walk to them--uh, did you know maps lie? Yeah, the hoodoo's were like MILES away! We came, we saw, we took a picture. This is our motto. Went back to town and ate at a pub and called it an early night.Hoodoos are next to my right shoulder.
Wednesday (9/30) Hubster went to two meetings while I packed and read. By mid-morning we were on our way to the Calgary airport--THIS time with pen in hand. The trip home was uneventful again (Tracy Anne Warren's Seduced By His Touch) I read the entire trip.
Home to our cutie-patootie kiddo and a ton of laundry and chores.
It was a nice break, but it's time to . . .
Write on!
10/2/09
My Scarlet Boa Entry # 107
I'm LATE!
Uh, no, not that kind of late (Thank the Big Kahuna for that--I'm way too old to have another munchkin *shuttering*) . . . I'm late with my blog post.
I was going to post pictures from my retreat, but haven't downloaded them yet. Sorry! I'll shoot for Monday. And no, I didn't get too much writing done, only 500 words. Who could write with all the wonderful outdoors in Banff??
Back on topic, I entered the Scarlet Boa Contest. Remember I talked about it a week ago. Well, the first round is up and ready for voting. AND the first round is pretty much a popularity contest since I don't know of anyone who will actually READ all 148 entries! So I'm actively pimping for votes.
The entries have to be the intro into a paranormal world. My entry is a revamped version of The Demon Connection, a story that I sort of stopped writing when I took a foray into the world of writing middle-grade fiction. It's scene # 107
So VOTE for me! Seriously, if you didn't like it don't vote for me, find another entry that deserves your vote. And if you did like my submission, pass it on!
Until later...
Write on!
Uh, no, not that kind of late (Thank the Big Kahuna for that--I'm way too old to have another munchkin *shuttering*) . . . I'm late with my blog post.
I was going to post pictures from my retreat, but haven't downloaded them yet. Sorry! I'll shoot for Monday. And no, I didn't get too much writing done, only 500 words. Who could write with all the wonderful outdoors in Banff??
Back on topic, I entered the Scarlet Boa Contest. Remember I talked about it a week ago. Well, the first round is up and ready for voting. AND the first round is pretty much a popularity contest since I don't know of anyone who will actually READ all 148 entries! So I'm actively pimping for votes.
The entries have to be the intro into a paranormal world. My entry is a revamped version of The Demon Connection, a story that I sort of stopped writing when I took a foray into the world of writing middle-grade fiction. It's scene # 107
So VOTE for me! Seriously, if you didn't like it don't vote for me, find another entry that deserves your vote. And if you did like my submission, pass it on!
Until later...
Write on!
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