I found the assmole's nest right behind my desk! I bombarded it with Purell hand sanitizer. Ha. Take THAT!
Something tells me I'm gonna have one seriously PO'd mole on my hands.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Random Wednesdayness
1.
2. "You are at the beginning of the next chapter of your life, so observe what's in front of you and don't try to navigate by looking in the rear view mirror."
Ya think?
3. No new is...no news.
4. I'm taking a two-day psych certification class tomorrow and Friday. Of course I doubt they'll let me take the certification exam since I've only been a psych nurse for, ummm, 8 weeks? Then Monday I have to go to a class to learn how to deal with psych emergencies, e.g. patients, visitors, or fellow employees (oh, no, that never happens) out of control...or when you're 2 seconds away from losing your teeth--or your life--because a patient goes off on a murderous rampage. I wonder if self-defense is included in all this???
5. The mole and I are officially AT WAR! OK, it was "cute" for a while. We even gave him a name: Mole-Asses (thanks, Brian_Ohio). But Molasses is definitely getting too big for his furry britches. He's taken over the household. I need a trap. Or another cat.
6. I thought about going to Borders today. But that would involve, yanno, putting clothes on, brushing my teeth, maybe slapping some coverup on my latest zit... Nah, too much effort. So I'm working at home today.
And I DO mean working!
2. "You are at the beginning of the next chapter of your life, so observe what's in front of you and don't try to navigate by looking in the rear view mirror."
Ya think?
3. No new is...no news.
4. I'm taking a two-day psych certification class tomorrow and Friday. Of course I doubt they'll let me take the certification exam since I've only been a psych nurse for, ummm, 8 weeks? Then Monday I have to go to a class to learn how to deal with psych emergencies, e.g. patients, visitors, or fellow employees (oh, no, that never happens) out of control...or when you're 2 seconds away from losing your teeth--or your life--because a patient goes off on a murderous rampage. I wonder if self-defense is included in all this???
5. The mole and I are officially AT WAR! OK, it was "cute" for a while. We even gave him a name: Mole-Asses (thanks, Brian_Ohio). But Molasses is definitely getting too big for his furry britches. He's taken over the household. I need a trap. Or another cat.
6. I thought about going to Borders today. But that would involve, yanno, putting clothes on, brushing my teeth, maybe slapping some coverup on my latest zit... Nah, too much effort. So I'm working at home today.
And I DO mean working!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Not "Thinking" About Writing
I remember when I was four years old, and climbed up on a table in the basement, for whatever reason. The table toppled and I landed on my head. I spent the next few hours puking my guts up and screaming at my mom who woke me up every hour because she'd been instructed by the doctor (who made house calls back then) to NOT let me sleep more than an hour at a time.
I wonder if that's the reason I have trouble making decisions. For instance, I'll be in J.C. Penney and see three purses I like. Which one? Which one? I'll stare at them for fifteen minutes, then walk away without buying any of them. And God, don't get me started on the bra department, cuz you have to, you know, usually try those suckers on. I could spend six hours in the fitting room staring at my boobs. Not a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
I used to be this way with my writing. OK, three FABULOUS ideas...but which one do I work on?
I can't decide, I can't decide! So I'd end up working on nothing. But hey, I'm "thinking" about it--doesn't that count?
No. It's doesn't.
Happily, I've (recently) gotten over that. I've shelved Nikki for now (for reasons I can't explain) and had a brief moment of panic. If I don't work on Nikki, I have to work on something, right?
Let me think about this...
No, "thinking" about writing doesn't count anymore. Thinking about writing doesn't make you a writer. People who "think" about writing are a dime a dozen.
Writing makes you a writer. So I'm either going to:
1. Not write, and forget about being any kind of a writer
--or--
2. Stop thinking and be a writer
So I took the plunge and leaped back into my paranormal. Truthfully I've tinkered with it off and on (in rare moments of boredom) but only to tweak what I've already written. Yesterday, however, I hit a (new) coffee shop, parked myself there for three hours, and wrote 1200 new words in one sitting.
Yeah, it felt good. :)
38120 / 100000 words. 38% done!
What's strange is that this was originally a 2005 NaNo project. I'd hit the 50K mark, but somewhere along the line I guess I did some serious chopping. Still, not shabby.
I'm wrapping this thing up by the end of the year. And I'm announcing this here so six months from now when I'm whining or procrastinating or "thinking" too much, you can all send me some well-deserved cyber kicks-in-the-butt. ;)
I wonder if that's the reason I have trouble making decisions. For instance, I'll be in J.C. Penney and see three purses I like. Which one? Which one? I'll stare at them for fifteen minutes, then walk away without buying any of them. And God, don't get me started on the bra department, cuz you have to, you know, usually try those suckers on. I could spend six hours in the fitting room staring at my boobs. Not a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
I used to be this way with my writing. OK, three FABULOUS ideas...but which one do I work on?
I can't decide, I can't decide! So I'd end up working on nothing. But hey, I'm "thinking" about it--doesn't that count?
No. It's doesn't.
Happily, I've (recently) gotten over that. I've shelved Nikki for now (for reasons I can't explain) and had a brief moment of panic. If I don't work on Nikki, I have to work on something, right?
Let me think about this...
No, "thinking" about writing doesn't count anymore. Thinking about writing doesn't make you a writer. People who "think" about writing are a dime a dozen.
Writing makes you a writer. So I'm either going to:
1. Not write, and forget about being any kind of a writer
--or--
2. Stop thinking and be a writer
So I took the plunge and leaped back into my paranormal. Truthfully I've tinkered with it off and on (in rare moments of boredom) but only to tweak what I've already written. Yesterday, however, I hit a (new) coffee shop, parked myself there for three hours, and wrote 1200 new words in one sitting.
Yeah, it felt good. :)
What's strange is that this was originally a 2005 NaNo project. I'd hit the 50K mark, but somewhere along the line I guess I did some serious chopping. Still, not shabby.
I'm wrapping this thing up by the end of the year. And I'm announcing this here so six months from now when I'm whining or procrastinating or "thinking" too much, you can all send me some well-deserved cyber kicks-in-the-butt. ;)
Saturday, January 26, 2008
New Toy to Cheer Me Up
I slept till 11:15 a.m. this morning. Now I'm sitting here drowning my sorrows in hot-from-the-oven, greasy, yummy, chocolate-chocolate-chip muffins.
I thought about writing, decided my keyboard sucks rocks, so I ran out to buy a new one. When you're used to a laptop, the traditional ones feel like you need a hammer to effectively hit the keys. Plus there's nothing like spending money to pull you out of a crappy mood. I love my laptop--but there's some nice about cozying up in a warm, tiny room with the door shut and candles burning and fewer distractions, which is why I'm trying to use my office more.
I bought a Logitech 600 (NOT cordless) and it's sooo nice. I feel like I have to reach farther to hit the keys, but I'm sure I'll get used to it. $30 at Office Max. Don't ask me what all those thingmabobbers are at the top of they keyboard because I have noooo idea and I sure don't plan to touch them. But the keys respond well to a very light touch--not like a laptop, but better than what I had.
Now I'm thinking about writing again...
I thought about writing, decided my keyboard sucks rocks, so I ran out to buy a new one. When you're used to a laptop, the traditional ones feel like you need a hammer to effectively hit the keys. Plus there's nothing like spending money to pull you out of a crappy mood. I love my laptop--but there's some nice about cozying up in a warm, tiny room with the door shut and candles burning and fewer distractions, which is why I'm trying to use my office more.
I bought a Logitech 600 (NOT cordless) and it's sooo nice. I feel like I have to reach farther to hit the keys, but I'm sure I'll get used to it. $30 at Office Max. Don't ask me what all those thingmabobbers are at the top of they keyboard because I have noooo idea and I sure don't plan to touch them. But the keys respond well to a very light touch--not like a laptop, but better than what I had.
Now I'm thinking about writing again...
Thursday, January 24, 2008
As Promised...
"Potation" of the Week
If this dude ever saw the state of my house, he'd NEVER trust me to "choose the finnishing details" of his stories.
If this dude ever saw the state of my house, he'd NEVER trust me to "choose the finnishing details" of his stories.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
P.S.
"Jon Stewart has been set to host the 80th Academy Awards® telecast, producer Gil Cates announced today. This will mark Stewart's second stint as Oscar host.
“'Jon was a terrific host for the 78th Awards,' said Cates. 'He is smart, quick, funny, loves movies and is a great guy. What else could one ask for?'”
Uhhhhhhh................maybe Billy Crystal??
Those Hollywood folks never ask for my opinion. :(
Anyway. According to Showbiz Tonight, the Awards ceremony WILL go on whether or not the writers' strike is settled.
OMG, do you know what this means? They'll be picketing the Red Carpet!
“'Jon was a terrific host for the 78th Awards,' said Cates. 'He is smart, quick, funny, loves movies and is a great guy. What else could one ask for?'”
Uhhhhhhh................maybe Billy Crystal??
Those Hollywood folks never ask for my opinion. :(
Anyway. According to Showbiz Tonight, the Awards ceremony WILL go on whether or not the writers' strike is settled.
OMG, do you know what this means? They'll be picketing the Red Carpet!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The Show Must Go On. Or NOT.
The Oscar nominees for Best Picture have been announced...but will there actually be a show?
It's been a long-time tradition with Beth and me to see every nominated picture--cramming all of them in as fast as we can--and then watching the Oscars together, sometimes alone, sometimes with family and friends. If the strike isn't settled, there won't *be* a show this year.
Weirdly enough, I almost don't care because for the past several years the Academy Award hosts have SUCKED! OK, I like Ellen and wasn't "bad" last year. But what about Jon-omigod-puh-leeeeze-wake-me-up-when-this-boring-show-ENDS-Stewart for instance. And Chris Rock, probably the worst WORST WORST host of the past 80 years.
I know I'm living in the past, but: Come back to us, Billy Cyrstal!!! Please, please!!!
photo source
And of course there's all that political BS. Hello! Can we have three hours of simple "entertaiment" from you people without bringing in Iraq and Bush and how the end of our planet is just around the corner? I'm sick of it. Give me glamour, the glitz, the gowns, the goof-ups. Give me the hunky guys in tuxes. Let me see what these actors really look like while I'm still picturing them as the characters they played. Give me the People Behind the Scenes nobody ever gets to see, and show me the screenwriters behind these wonderful movies. I don't need to hear anyone spewing their venom. I get spewed at enough, thank you very much.
Still, it's hard to break a lifelong tradtion. So I'll probably go see the nominated pictures anyway, and if the show goes on, chances are I'll watch it. If not? Oh, well. Rock on, you writers!
Nominations for Best Picture:
Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
It's been a long-time tradition with Beth and me to see every nominated picture--cramming all of them in as fast as we can--and then watching the Oscars together, sometimes alone, sometimes with family and friends. If the strike isn't settled, there won't *be* a show this year.
Weirdly enough, I almost don't care because for the past several years the Academy Award hosts have SUCKED! OK, I like Ellen and wasn't "bad" last year. But what about Jon-omigod-puh-leeeeze-wake-me-up-when-this-boring-show-ENDS-Stewart for instance. And Chris Rock, probably the worst WORST WORST host of the past 80 years.
I know I'm living in the past, but: Come back to us, Billy Cyrstal!!! Please, please!!!
photo source
And of course there's all that political BS. Hello! Can we have three hours of simple "entertaiment" from you people without bringing in Iraq and Bush and how the end of our planet is just around the corner? I'm sick of it. Give me glamour, the glitz, the gowns, the goof-ups. Give me the hunky guys in tuxes. Let me see what these actors really look like while I'm still picturing them as the characters they played. Give me the People Behind the Scenes nobody ever gets to see, and show me the screenwriters behind these wonderful movies. I don't need to hear anyone spewing their venom. I get spewed at enough, thank you very much.
Still, it's hard to break a lifelong tradtion. So I'll probably go see the nominated pictures anyway, and if the show goes on, chances are I'll watch it. If not? Oh, well. Rock on, you writers!
Nominations for Best Picture:
Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Yee Haw
It's official. I'm a total hillbilly.
My rear car window won't stay up and I've been told it'll cost over $200 bucks to fix it. Oh, I don't THINK so, not at this time in my life.
The cure? DUCT TAPE!
Now I'm driving around the neighborhood with a paper bag over my head.
My rear car window won't stay up and I've been told it'll cost over $200 bucks to fix it. Oh, I don't THINK so, not at this time in my life.
The cure? DUCT TAPE!
Now I'm driving around the neighborhood with a paper bag over my head.
Monday, January 21, 2008
HoRoScOpE
"Although you may be hesitant today, don't turn away an offer because it doesn't seem good enough. Even the best opportunities won't shock and awe you with their potential, yet they will probably be very promising. Make no mistake; you will have to work harder than you think to make it happen. But the results will be well worth it."
Offer?
WHAT offer?
I have nothing pending in the book world. I'm not taking that Craig's List job. Nobody is about to stroll in and rescue me from the asylum. Oh, and since I'm already married, it seems unlikely some ravishingly handsome multi-billionaire'll slip a rock on my finger and sweep me off to his Swiss chalet/Irish castle/French villa (I almost wrote "French vanilla)/Hawaiian condo-on-the-ocean anytime soon.
I seriously need to quit reading these things.
P.S. It's 2 a.m. I'm sitting here alone, in the dark, watching a semi-scary movie. So far we have mysteriously exploding lightbulbs, a weird talking doll (of course the kid's parents don't believe the doll is really "talking" to her) and some dude chipping away a brick wall to see what's behind it.
Yeah. Like none of THAT has ever been done before--bleacchhh!
Offer?
WHAT offer?
I have nothing pending in the book world. I'm not taking that Craig's List job. Nobody is about to stroll in and rescue me from the asylum. Oh, and since I'm already married, it seems unlikely some ravishingly handsome multi-billionaire'll slip a rock on my finger and sweep me off to his Swiss chalet/Irish castle/French villa (I almost wrote "French vanilla)/Hawaiian condo-on-the-ocean anytime soon.
I seriously need to quit reading these things.
P.S. It's 2 a.m. I'm sitting here alone, in the dark, watching a semi-scary movie. So far we have mysteriously exploding lightbulbs, a weird talking doll (of course the kid's parents don't believe the doll is really "talking" to her) and some dude chipping away a brick wall to see what's behind it.
Yeah. Like none of THAT has ever been done before--bleacchhh!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
I'm In!
Any freelancers out there interested in a COOL WRITING JOB???
I know I shouldn't laugh, but:
WTF is "potations"??? And isn't "Hummer" a car?
My friend Kathie and I chuckle over these on a regular basis and I'm thinking of making this a weekly feature. Let's see, we have Monday Memory, Tuesday Teaser, Thankful Thursday, and the Friday Five...how about Witless Wednesday? Nah. Maybe I'll just do a Potation of the Week!
Because I just looked it up:
Main Entry: po·ta·tion
Function: noun
Pronunciation: pO-'tA-sh&n
Etymology: Middle English potacioun, from Middle French potation, from Latin potation-, potatio act of drinking, from potare to drink -- more at POTABLE
1 : a usually alcoholic drink or brew
2 : the act or an instance of drinking or inhaling ; also : the portion taken in one such act
Yep. This'll work. :)
I know I shouldn't laugh, but:
WTF is "potations"??? And isn't "Hummer" a car?
My friend Kathie and I chuckle over these on a regular basis and I'm thinking of making this a weekly feature. Let's see, we have Monday Memory, Tuesday Teaser, Thankful Thursday, and the Friday Five...how about Witless Wednesday? Nah. Maybe I'll just do a Potation of the Week!
Because I just looked it up:
Main Entry: po·ta·tion
Function: noun
Pronunciation: pO-'tA-sh&n
Etymology: Middle English potacioun, from Middle French potation, from Latin potation-, potatio act of drinking, from potare to drink -- more at POTABLE
1 : a usually alcoholic drink or brew
2 : the act or an instance of drinking or inhaling ; also : the portion taken in one such act
Yep. This'll work. :)
Edgar Nominee: S. A. Harazin
Congratulations to S. A. Harazin whose YA novel BLOOD BROTHERS has been nominated for an Edgar Award for best young adult fiction.
Shortlist:
Rat Life by Tedd Arnold (Penguin - Dial Books for Young Readers)
Diamonds in the Shadow by Caroline B. Cooney (Random House Children's Books - Delacorte Press)
Touching Snow by M. Sindy Felin (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing - Atheneum Books for Young Readers)
Blood Brothers by S.A. Harazin (Random House Children's Books - Delacorte Press)
Fragments by Jeffry W. Johnston (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing - Simon Pulse)
GO, Shirley! :) xox
Shortlist:
Rat Life by Tedd Arnold (Penguin - Dial Books for Young Readers)
Diamonds in the Shadow by Caroline B. Cooney (Random House Children's Books - Delacorte Press)
Touching Snow by M. Sindy Felin (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing - Atheneum Books for Young Readers)
Blood Brothers by S.A. Harazin (Random House Children's Books - Delacorte Press)
Fragments by Jeffry W. Johnston (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing - Simon Pulse)
GO, Shirley! :) xox
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Where are you Guys????
I haven't been able to get at my friends' pages on Live Journal since early this a.m. Anyone else have this problem? Once again I'm falling behind on everyone's posts. I'm in withdrawal! And where are my Blogger friends?
Oh, wait. I don't have any. They're all over at LJ!
*I've* been up since 4:45 a.m. and I'll be on my way to work in an hour or so (expletive deleted). My next day off isn't till Wednesday! This new schedule + rotating shifts has me too confused to remember what day it is. I'd hoped to get some writing done today, but why bother when I have to work? I can't concentrate, plus I've been known to be late because I can't always tear myself away from the keyboard in a timely manner.
Instead of writing, I finished The Pact by Jodie Picoult--the second book of hers I've read and, yes, the second one I hated to put down.
Also read this month--
--which is a pretty good start for the new year (for me).
PS: I don't do reviews--but this was a GREAT BUNCH OF BOOKS!
Oh, wait. I don't have any. They're all over at LJ!
*I've* been up since 4:45 a.m. and I'll be on my way to work in an hour or so (expletive deleted). My next day off isn't till Wednesday! This new schedule + rotating shifts has me too confused to remember what day it is. I'd hoped to get some writing done today, but why bother when I have to work? I can't concentrate, plus I've been known to be late because I can't always tear myself away from the keyboard in a timely manner.
Instead of writing, I finished The Pact by Jodie Picoult--the second book of hers I've read and, yes, the second one I hated to put down.
Also read this month--
--which is a pretty good start for the new year (for me).
PS: I don't do reviews--but this was a GREAT BUNCH OF BOOKS!
Friday, January 18, 2008
Five for a Friday
1. If Lindsay Lohan has to spend two days working in a morgue as punishment for her DUI conviction, I think Britney should hang out with me at work for a couple days so she can see what happens to people who refuse to take their meds.
2. Beth and I saw Atonement last weekend. Why can I not sit through a movie without mentally editing it (which is exactly what I do when I'm reading a book)? Good story, but some scenes really went on waaaay too long. In my next life I want to be a film editor, m'kay?
Next movie on our list is Cloverfield although that hand-held camera business might make me barf.
3. Every progress bar I use ends up defunct, so here's my new one till this one disappears, too:
NIKKI
30975 / 80000 words. 39% done
4. Bumper sticker of the month:
5. Does anyone besides me think Tom Cruise is just a wee bit off the wall?
2. Beth and I saw Atonement last weekend. Why can I not sit through a movie without mentally editing it (which is exactly what I do when I'm reading a book)? Good story, but some scenes really went on waaaay too long. In my next life I want to be a film editor, m'kay?
Next movie on our list is Cloverfield although that hand-held camera business might make me barf.
3. Every progress bar I use ends up defunct, so here's my new one till this one disappears, too:
NIKKI
4. Bumper sticker of the month:
5. Does anyone besides me think Tom Cruise is just a wee bit off the wall?
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I hate day shift.
Nobody in their right mind gets up at 5:15 a.m. and GOES anywhere. I'm awake every hour during the night, looking at the clock, thinking, "I have to get up in four hours...I have to get up in three hours...I have to get up in two hours...I have to get up in twenty minutes..." By 5:15 I'm exhausted--and *then* I have to:
1. Get up
2. Turn up the heat beacause hubby prefers to sleep in an igloo
3. Make coffee
4. Shower
5. Dress
6. Drink coffee and smoke
7. Dry hair
8. Drink coffee and smoke
9. Put makeup on
10. Start car
11. Run around like an idiot for my purse, keys, coat, badge, money, cell, coffee mug andanythingelseIcanthinkofandIalwaysforgetsomething
12. Leave at 6:15 Drive to work in real TRAFFIC
By the time I get home (around 4:30 p.m if I'm lucky) all I want to do then is collapse. I could seriously go to sleep the second I fall out of the car into my driveway. But all that means is that 5:15 a.m. tomorrow will roll around even sooner. :(
(good thing nobody expects me to cook dinner)
So I'm forcing myself to stay awake (and American Idol tonight is my incentive). Did you BELIEVE that goofball with the Princess Leia 'do??? O vey.
Nobody in their right mind gets up at 5:15 a.m. and GOES anywhere. I'm awake every hour during the night, looking at the clock, thinking, "I have to get up in four hours...I have to get up in three hours...I have to get up in two hours...I have to get up in twenty minutes..." By 5:15 I'm exhausted--and *then* I have to:
1. Get up
2. Turn up the heat beacause hubby prefers to sleep in an igloo
3. Make coffee
4. Shower
5. Dress
6. Drink coffee and smoke
7. Dry hair
8. Drink coffee and smoke
9. Put makeup on
10. Start car
11. Run around like an idiot for my purse, keys, coat, badge, money, cell, coffee mug andanythingelseIcanthinkofandIalwaysforgetsomething
12. Leave at 6:15 Drive to work in real TRAFFIC
By the time I get home (around 4:30 p.m if I'm lucky) all I want to do then is collapse. I could seriously go to sleep the second I fall out of the car into my driveway. But all that means is that 5:15 a.m. tomorrow will roll around even sooner. :(
(good thing nobody expects me to cook dinner)
So I'm forcing myself to stay awake (and American Idol tonight is my incentive). Did you BELIEVE that goofball with the Princess Leia 'do??? O vey.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Tuesday, No Teaser
It was actually a pretty crummy writing day. First of all, not enough sleep. But I had to get an early start because I'm working day shift tomorrow (grooooooooooooooan) which means beddy-bye time NOT at 3 a.m. (like last night).
Second of all...you know how you start writing something new and you totally loooove it and spend hours and hours simply basking in your own brilliance?
Then a few days later you're like: What the hell are you writing??????????????
I'm somewhere in between.
On the plus side, nobody at work tried to kill me lately, no rodents scampered over me in my sleep, and American Idol starts tonight!
Second of all...you know how you start writing something new and you totally loooove it and spend hours and hours simply basking in your own brilliance?
Then a few days later you're like: What the hell are you writing??????????????
I'm somewhere in between.
On the plus side, nobody at work tried to kill me lately, no rodents scampered over me in my sleep, and American Idol starts tonight!
Monday, January 14, 2008
I MISS MY CAT!!!
This morning, lying on the couch, I was awakened by my cell phone vibrating against my butt.
Except...my cell phone was sitting in front of me on the coffee table.
Which meant something else was vibrating against my butt.
Then that same stupid mole (the one that hoarded all the bird food in my stereo speaker) shot out from under the couch and raced into my office where I'm sure he's still chuckling his furry head off.
Oh.
My.
God.
I had a MOLE on my ass!!!!!!
How happy am I that I don't sleep in the nude?
Except...my cell phone was sitting in front of me on the coffee table.
Which meant something else was vibrating against my butt.
Then that same stupid mole (the one that hoarded all the bird food in my stereo speaker) shot out from under the couch and raced into my office where I'm sure he's still chuckling his furry head off.
Oh.
My.
God.
I had a MOLE on my ass!!!!!!
How happy am I that I don't sleep in the nude?
Reaching for Sun
Fellow Bloomsbury USA author TRACIE ZIMMER was awarded the Schneider Family Book Award for her beautiful free verse novel, REACHING FOR SUN. Congratulations, Tracie!
For a full list of award winners, check out BECKY'S BOOKS.
For a full list of award winners, check out BECKY'S BOOKS.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Plugging Away
24,477 Words/80,000K GOAL
OK, I dropped my goal from 100K to 80K. If I go over, I go over. But no way will I go under.
Reviewing what I've written, the problems I see are:
1. Too much backstory (solve-able).
2. I'm not quite sure I've found Nikki's "voice" yet (eventually solve-able after a few drafts).
3. I can't for the hell of me write in past tense (dammit, I'm gonna make this solve-able if it kills me).
4. I think I rushed some of that backstory, too. If this is to be a stand-alone novel, I need to rethink the way I exposed the truth about Nikki's sister (solve-able, with some work).
5. This is *not* a problem, per se (unless I make it one) but it's hard to see Martha from Nikki's POV without Nikki coming across as a total bitch. I have to "switch sides" so to speak (solve-able with a LOT of work).
So far this is the most challenging story I've attempted so far.
OK, I dropped my goal from 100K to 80K. If I go over, I go over. But no way will I go under.
Reviewing what I've written, the problems I see are:
1. Too much backstory (solve-able).
2. I'm not quite sure I've found Nikki's "voice" yet (eventually solve-able after a few drafts).
3. I can't for the hell of me write in past tense (dammit, I'm gonna make this solve-able if it kills me).
4. I think I rushed some of that backstory, too. If this is to be a stand-alone novel, I need to rethink the way I exposed the truth about Nikki's sister (solve-able, with some work).
5. This is *not* a problem, per se (unless I make it one) but it's hard to see Martha from Nikki's POV without Nikki coming across as a total bitch. I have to "switch sides" so to speak (solve-able with a LOT of work).
So far this is the most challenging story I've attempted so far.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Progress
21477 / 100000 (21.48%)
Late start, but managed to get roughly another 4k done. Hopefully, a repeat of this tomorrow. Yay!
I Never Read Her, But....
A certain romance writer has pumped out approximately 100 novels in the past 25 years.
COULD THIS BE WHY?
More for those of you who are morbidly interested. :)
COULD THIS BE WHY?
More for those of you who are morbidly interested. :)
Friday, January 11, 2008
Five on Friday
1. I'm off this weekend (thankyouthankyouthankyou) and plan to spend 2 full days doing nothing but writing. I wrote 4K the other day. I hope to double that by Sunday night.
2. I'm terrified to get on the bathroom scale. Of course the full box of Jellie Bellies I singlehandedly scarfed down over the past couple of days might be weighing on my conscience. Heh, get it? Weighing??? *snort*
3. I gave my last 4 bucks to a former patient of mine (NOT a psych patient) only because I know she's not a druggie.
4. My New Moon promises have not materialized. I don't know what I expected. But nothing? Nothing at all? The stars have let me down. In fact, my hororscope, in its infinite idiocy, assured me today that my "social life will pick up." Um, seriously: who the hell CARES?
5. Yesterday, a text message from Ophelia Laughs--received in the middle of shift report at work--totally made my day. Thanks, Holly!
2. I'm terrified to get on the bathroom scale. Of course the full box of Jellie Bellies I singlehandedly scarfed down over the past couple of days might be weighing on my conscience. Heh, get it? Weighing??? *snort*
3. I gave my last 4 bucks to a former patient of mine (NOT a psych patient) only because I know she's not a druggie.
4. My New Moon promises have not materialized. I don't know what I expected. But nothing? Nothing at all? The stars have let me down. In fact, my hororscope, in its infinite idiocy, assured me today that my "social life will pick up." Um, seriously: who the hell CARES?
5. Yesterday, a text message from Ophelia Laughs--received in the middle of shift report at work--totally made my day. Thanks, Holly!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
WIP Progress
4K done yesterday in just one sitting. Then I came home and slept for--count 'em!--15 hrs straight. No contract yet. No revisions yet. Might as well take advantage of all my "free" time.
I am rethinking that 100K and may drop it down to 80. I chose that number because I usually end up hacking a ton of stuff with the first couple of revisions. But I'm thinking: Yanno, dummy, this IS your third novel (well, technically my seventh, but five we won't talk about)--can you possibly not get so carried away with the word count? Plan it a bit better? Show some restraint?
Um, probably not. :)
I am rethinking that 100K and may drop it down to 80. I chose that number because I usually end up hacking a ton of stuff with the first couple of revisions. But I'm thinking: Yanno, dummy, this IS your third novel (well, technically my seventh, but five we won't talk about)--can you possibly not get so carried away with the word count? Plan it a bit better? Show some restraint?
Um, probably not. :)
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Happy BOOK-day to Lisa Schroeder
Congratulations to LISA SCHROEDER on the release of her debut YA novel and I Heart You, You Haunt Me from Simon Pulse:
Book description: Girl meets boy ... girl loses boy ... girl gets boy back ... sort of.
Ava can't see him or touch him, unless she's dreaming. She can't hear his voice, except for the faint whispers in her mind. Most would think she's crazy, but she knows he's here.Jackson. The boy Ava thought she'd spend the rest of her life with. He's back from the dead, as proof that love truly knows no bounds.
Lisa is a member of the Class of 2K8. Check out her website!
GO, LISA! I'm so happy for you! :)
Book description: Girl meets boy ... girl loses boy ... girl gets boy back ... sort of.
Ava can't see him or touch him, unless she's dreaming. She can't hear his voice, except for the faint whispers in her mind. Most would think she's crazy, but she knows he's here.Jackson. The boy Ava thought she'd spend the rest of her life with. He's back from the dead, as proof that love truly knows no bounds.
Lisa is a member of the Class of 2K8. Check out her website!
GO, LISA! I'm so happy for you! :)
Marshmallow Meltdown
Orthodox Christmas was yesterday, and Beth wanted to make her ambrosia salad...and after blowing a small fortune at the grocery store, I returned home to discover I'd forgotten mini-marshmallows. I am already pressed for time because, well, just because. But I still need those mini-marshmallows!
So I get back in the car and:
Stop # 1
1. Decide I don't want to drive all the way back to the grocery store 3 miles away, and that I'll just run into a nearby drugstore. After all, they have popcorn, candy, nuts, soda, et cetera. They'll have mini-marshmallows, right?
2. Wrong.
3. I buy Christmas wrapping paper at 75% off and two packs of cigarettes, use my debit card, and ask for twenty bucks back.
4. Drive a few blocks over to Big Bird.
Stop # 2
5. Big Bird is marshmallow-less, too. I look everywhere. I search high and low. I even ask one of the rare employees who can occassionally be spotted skulking amongst the shelves. This dude's about as helpful as a venereal wart. Following his severely-lacking-in-direct-eye-contact directions, I finally find marshmallows two aisles away from where he said they'd be.
6. But they are FAT marshmallows. Not mini-marshmallows. How can a MAJOR FRICKIN' GROCERY STORE not have mini-marshmallows in stock? Or even an empty space where the mini-marshmallows should be? The holidays are over. Nobody in their right mind is baking anything. For sure nobody's roasting those little suckers over, ya know, matches or whatever.
7. Traffic's crazy, I'm stressed--and then I realize as soon as I get back into the car that I can't find the $20 bucks I got from the drugstore-that-did-NOT-have-the-mini-marshmallows-either.
8. I tear up my purse. I search the seats and floor of my car. I turn my pockets inside out. Finally, although figuring they'll think I'm pulling a fast one--"I'm sorry, ma'am, but I distinctly remember handing you a twenty-dollar bill--and I wasn't born yesterday, you sneaky old heifer."--I call the mini-marshmallow-less drug store. I am surprised to hear instead, "Oh, yes! We found it on the floor as soon as you left. You must have dropped it."
9. Wow!
Stop # 3 (by now I'm sorry I didn't buy the Fat Ones and just chop 'em up)
10. Drive across the street to A Fancy Schmancy Grocery Store where I'm asphyxiated by the aroma of flavored coffee.
11. I love coffee. I love the smell of coffee. However, I dislike flavored coffee as a general rule (not mochas, of course). Even the smell of it I find semi-nauseating. And this place REEKED!!!!
12. However, they had: MY MINI MARSHMALLOWS! YAY!
13. I crawl back to my car, fight more traffic--Do you ever get the feeling people really ARE out to cause you severe bodily harm...undoubtedly with their vehicles? This isn't a delusion that's wearing off on me from my job?--and drive back to Stop # 1 where the clerk kindly hands me my $20 bill.
14. The clerk's name is.......................Shawna! :)
So I get back in the car and:
Stop # 1
1. Decide I don't want to drive all the way back to the grocery store 3 miles away, and that I'll just run into a nearby drugstore. After all, they have popcorn, candy, nuts, soda, et cetera. They'll have mini-marshmallows, right?
2. Wrong.
3. I buy Christmas wrapping paper at 75% off and two packs of cigarettes, use my debit card, and ask for twenty bucks back.
4. Drive a few blocks over to Big Bird.
Stop # 2
5. Big Bird is marshmallow-less, too. I look everywhere. I search high and low. I even ask one of the rare employees who can occassionally be spotted skulking amongst the shelves. This dude's about as helpful as a venereal wart. Following his severely-lacking-in-direct-eye-contact directions, I finally find marshmallows two aisles away from where he said they'd be.
6. But they are FAT marshmallows. Not mini-marshmallows. How can a MAJOR FRICKIN' GROCERY STORE not have mini-marshmallows in stock? Or even an empty space where the mini-marshmallows should be? The holidays are over. Nobody in their right mind is baking anything. For sure nobody's roasting those little suckers over, ya know, matches or whatever.
7. Traffic's crazy, I'm stressed--and then I realize as soon as I get back into the car that I can't find the $20 bucks I got from the drugstore-that-did-NOT-have-the-mini-marshmallows-either.
8. I tear up my purse. I search the seats and floor of my car. I turn my pockets inside out. Finally, although figuring they'll think I'm pulling a fast one--"I'm sorry, ma'am, but I distinctly remember handing you a twenty-dollar bill--and I wasn't born yesterday, you sneaky old heifer."--I call the mini-marshmallow-less drug store. I am surprised to hear instead, "Oh, yes! We found it on the floor as soon as you left. You must have dropped it."
9. Wow!
Stop # 3 (by now I'm sorry I didn't buy the Fat Ones and just chop 'em up)
10. Drive across the street to A Fancy Schmancy Grocery Store where I'm asphyxiated by the aroma of flavored coffee.
11. I love coffee. I love the smell of coffee. However, I dislike flavored coffee as a general rule (not mochas, of course). Even the smell of it I find semi-nauseating. And this place REEKED!!!!
12. However, they had: MY MINI MARSHMALLOWS! YAY!
13. I crawl back to my car, fight more traffic--Do you ever get the feeling people really ARE out to cause you severe bodily harm...undoubtedly with their vehicles? This isn't a delusion that's wearing off on me from my job?--and drive back to Stop # 1 where the clerk kindly hands me my $20 bill.
14. The clerk's name is.......................Shawna! :)
Monday, January 7, 2008
Weirrrrd Horoscope
You are right at the edge of a big shift --Oh, God, not again-- yet you can't make things change any faster than reality will allow. --Reality, I've learned, is frickin' relative-- It's as if your speed limit is being set by external events, rather than by your own intent. Frustration can be a result of impatience --I'm not frustrated, DAMMIT!-- for the real transformation will take more time. The days following tomorrow's New Moon will offer important clues to what comes next.
This could mean a lot of things. Or it could mean nothing. But often, this sucker is right on target.
"The days following tomorrow's New Moon..."
Maybe I should rent An American Werewolf in London?
This could mean a lot of things. Or it could mean nothing. But often, this sucker is right on target.
"The days following tomorrow's New Moon..."
Maybe I should rent An American Werewolf in London?
Sunday, January 6, 2008
PREZ Race
I missed the debate last night because a. I was soooo busy being creative, and b. the truth is I forgot they were on. Bad me.
If anyone is as confused as I am, here is a link to Candidates and Issues.
If anyone is as confused as I am, here is a link to Candidates and Issues.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Saturday
LADYEYE was sweet enough to post this on her blog about Before/After. Thank you!
As for Nikki's story, I spent 8 hrs at Borders today. I didn't get as much done as I'd hoped to accomplish. But at least I did something. And didn't sit around all day picturing myself in the emergency room.
Nikki's Story
13713 / 100000 (13.71%)
Easy: Nikki's pretty much telling me her own story. I'm just tapping it out for her. For once I have a pretty good idea where these characters are headed.
Hard: Writing parts of the story in past tense. Yeah, me, the Queen of Present. I'm constantly screwing it up.
It'll be nice to visit with Martha again. :)
As for Nikki's story, I spent 8 hrs at Borders today. I didn't get as much done as I'd hoped to accomplish. But at least I did something. And didn't sit around all day picturing myself in the emergency room.
13713 / 100000 (13.71%)
Easy: Nikki's pretty much telling me her own story. I'm just tapping it out for her. For once I have a pretty good idea where these characters are headed.
Hard: Writing parts of the story in past tense. Yeah, me, the Queen of Present. I'm constantly screwing it up.
It'll be nice to visit with Martha again. :)
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
New Project
8236 / 100000 (8.24%)
It's not a "sequel" per se. It's another POV. I'm playing around with it. I hope I can take it somewhere.
No resolutions for 2008 doesn't mean I can't set a goal. Resolutions you have to try to keep. Goals you reach.
Can anyone else see the difference?
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
How I Spent My New Year's Eve
What I Ate On New Year's Eve:
Is throwing a pan of Stouffer's lasagna into the oven for 2 hours and 10 minute technically considered "cooking?" Hell, yeah. Plus Mexican dip, shrimp cocktail, fruit salad, veggie plate, hummus, chicken wings, and three different desserts.
OK, if I bought some of this stuff...and several items were brought by guests...WHY did I feel like I'd spent two solid days slaving in the kitchen?
What was *I* even doing in the kitchen to begin with?
Who I played With On New Year's Eve:
Hubby and Matt (the booze bottles are for "show")
Sister Karen with her dollies
Molly (the other half of Matt-and-Molly) and Beth and Ruthy (our "adopted" sister)
Leah, who loooooves being photographed...
And Nate, who does NOT
Sophie, Chris, Genevieve (future characters for my next YA?)
Beth with baby Ba'al. Note the half-eaten piece of cheesecake on the table. That is not my cheesecake. I've never eaten HALF of a dessert in my life.
Jove and Lydia, hamming it up
Noticeably absent from this montage is me. *I* was taking the pictures, so Leah took one of me--but it sucks rocks. Delete, delete...
What I Did On New Year's Eve:
1. Grazed endlessly.
2. Watched the ball drop, then switched between the Twilight Zone marathon and South Park: The Movie. Fear not, we kept the little oneslocked sequestered caged up drugged-and-unconcious occupied in another room.
3. Discussed names for the current Bambino ala Utero. We decided if it's a girl, she will not be named Ennis or Hortense. If it's a boy he will not be named Arthur, Ignatz, or...Victor, which *is* in the running.
(Victor was the name of today's chicken dinner, BTW)
4. Text messaged. And sent a "Happy New Year" message to the wrong number, lol.
5. Talked on the phone to friends in Florida.
6. Discovered how much fun it is playing with a two-month-old baby. Like, you know how you can make them dance in your lap and manipulate their rubbery little limbs like a Gumby doll and you can make really stupid comments in a funny voice and pretend they're coming out of the baby's mouth? I entertained myself with this for hours last night. :)
7. Drank one Kahlua and cream, one frozen strawberry Daiquiri, two sips of Asti Spumanti, two bottles of water, and about a half a pot of coffee.
8. Wondered how long shrimp can sit out at room temperature before it becomes somewhat unsafe to consume.
9. Wondered the same about the bottom layer of cream cheese in my Mexican dip.
10. Ate both anyway. 24 hrs later, I'm still alive enough to write this.
Photobucket is not cooperating. I've been trying to shrink these pics for hours.
Is throwing a pan of Stouffer's lasagna into the oven for 2 hours and 10 minute technically considered "cooking?" Hell, yeah. Plus Mexican dip, shrimp cocktail, fruit salad, veggie plate, hummus, chicken wings, and three different desserts.
OK, if I bought some of this stuff...and several items were brought by guests...WHY did I feel like I'd spent two solid days slaving in the kitchen?
What was *I* even doing in the kitchen to begin with?
Who I played With On New Year's Eve:
Hubby and Matt (the booze bottles are for "show")
Sister Karen with her dollies
Molly (the other half of Matt-and-Molly) and Beth and Ruthy (our "adopted" sister)
Leah, who loooooves being photographed...
And Nate, who does NOT
Sophie, Chris, Genevieve (future characters for my next YA?)
Beth with baby Ba'al. Note the half-eaten piece of cheesecake on the table. That is not my cheesecake. I've never eaten HALF of a dessert in my life.
Jove and Lydia, hamming it up
Noticeably absent from this montage is me. *I* was taking the pictures, so Leah took one of me--but it sucks rocks. Delete, delete...
What I Did On New Year's Eve:
1. Grazed endlessly.
2. Watched the ball drop, then switched between the Twilight Zone marathon and South Park: The Movie. Fear not, we kept the little ones
3. Discussed names for the current Bambino ala Utero. We decided if it's a girl, she will not be named Ennis or Hortense. If it's a boy he will not be named Arthur, Ignatz, or...Victor, which *is* in the running.
(Victor was the name of today's chicken dinner, BTW)
4. Text messaged. And sent a "Happy New Year" message to the wrong number, lol.
5. Talked on the phone to friends in Florida.
6. Discovered how much fun it is playing with a two-month-old baby. Like, you know how you can make them dance in your lap and manipulate their rubbery little limbs like a Gumby doll and you can make really stupid comments in a funny voice and pretend they're coming out of the baby's mouth? I entertained myself with this for hours last night. :)
7. Drank one Kahlua and cream, one frozen strawberry Daiquiri, two sips of Asti Spumanti, two bottles of water, and about a half a pot of coffee.
8. Wondered how long shrimp can sit out at room temperature before it becomes somewhat unsafe to consume.
9. Wondered the same about the bottom layer of cream cheese in my Mexican dip.
10. Ate both anyway. 24 hrs later, I'm still alive enough to write this.
Photobucket is not cooperating. I've been trying to shrink these pics for hours.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)