8/1/11

Summer Lethergy

I have been seriously slacking in the last few weeks. And according to my blog stats, so has my quiet army of blog hoppers. Summer has us in its grips of ennui.

The heat in the middle of this country is freaking ridiculous! We've had 100+ temps in June, most of July, and I don't think the meteorologists expect a break until winter rolls in. Almost all the yards are brown. Trees are killing off their leaves to remain alive. And no one wants to go outside. Heck, we have a swimming pool and we don't want to go outside. I've managed to scorch myself on the latex-coated pool mat! Yes, it's that bad.

Does that mean I've been writing like a fiend?

Uh, no. Remember, I have a kid at home--school starts on August 22!! Only a few more weeks to go. I think we have everything ready for the big day. I know I do! I have finally written down monthly goals for August. And it's a hefty list:
  • Write bio for Susan--I'm giving a talk to Romance Writers Ink about REJECTION in November, which reminds me--I need to finish writing notes down for this!
  • Write 25 pgs and 1 pg synopsis for FIRE--I need to this by August 12, since I want to enter a contest
  • Write article for Amy's Author EMS site--Amy asked me to give a tutorial about how to set up Blogger as a website presence, due Aug. 12. I started this blog in 2008, I don't remember what I did! Oh, well, writer here. I can simply lie about it!
  • Edit/format MAZE to publish Sept. 1--get on Laura's butt about my cover design. I also need to read up on the new guidelines for Smashwords and Kindle. They have something new with linking the chapters to the locations in the book, which means I'll need to REDO the three books already available! UGH!
  • Edit TROLL for publication in October--I honestly don't see this happening! September, maybe. August, not so much.
Oh, yeah, we're also going on vacation in August, and we need to get everything ready for the housesitter. That way all she has to do is take care of the pool, dog and guinea pig.

Did I ever mention that I like lists?

I do. It helps the Virgo in me to keep track of everything going on. Are you a list maker? Or do you wing it? When I try to wing it, I always forget something. Well, gotta go and get started on my bio. Okay, I lied. I do have a shorty-short one on this blog, but I'm also writing a long one that's running about 1000 words.

Later, Peeps!

12 comments:

  1. You shouldn't have to redo the previous books in Smashwords. They should be fine. I redo mine, though, when I have new books out to add excerpts in the back.

    Laura has to do a cover for me. Two, actually, but one ASAP. Sounds like we'll all be busy!

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  2. Ah, another Virgo! Somehow I knew it :) Sounds like you have a busy month ahead. Hmm...Laura is supposed to be doing a cover for me, too. I better get on her about that

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  3. I honestly don't know when I'll find the time to tweak them anyway, Edie. I have three more books to get out this year (written, not edited) and then I plan to write three more in the next year (1 MG, 2 YA). With the kidlet and other stuff occupying my brain pan, I don't know how to keep myself organized!

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  4. Thanks for stopping by, Margery!
    Poor Laura--book covers to design, her own books to write and edit, plus working outside the home!

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  5. I love lists...just never seem to accomplish all that I set for the day.

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  6. I try to modify my lists according to 'other' stuff that needs to get done, Meg. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

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  7. I love making lists. But then I misplace them. Even the grocery list, which is supposed to stay on the counter next to the garage door, goes missing all the time.

    Poor Laura. That's what she gets for being insanely talented.

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  8. Marilyn--Laura recently got a contract from Berkley for a two or three book deal, too. So along with working outside the house, she's writing AND designing covers. Though I have to admit, my covers are the most challenging for her since she has to freehand so much of them. :-)

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  9. If Laura is lucky, she will be able to eventually give up that silly "outside the house" job and instead make a career out of her art! It takes awhile, but it does happen. It's an arduous process if a person, say, doesn't have a second income and also has, say, oh, I don't know..... A HORSE......but it can happen!

    Even though I'm broke most of the time I'm still a LOT happier this way.

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  10. Yeah, Jody, that horse puts a crimp in your lifestyle . . . oh, wait, the horse IS your lifestyle.
    Give Murray a hug for me!

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  11. Having a horse is like having a child (except for the giving birth part). As much work and money as they are, you can't imagine not having one.

    No amount of money in the bank could replace the joy my horse has brought me.

    I don't need a big house, an impressive car, expensive clothes, exotic vacations, or any of the other trappings that most people crave. So there's really no crimp in my lifestyle at all. I'm just too lazy to work harder!

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  12. Today is good weather, isn't it?

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