I think I’ve decided I need a guidance counselor for my second career choice - that being a writer. It’s funny, you’re in high school and you start thinking about careers, no one ever talks about being an author. Or how terribly hard it is. Or how much self-discipline you need. It’s never on the list of choices for careers, is it?

When I was in junior high, I remember taking one of those career quiz things. You know, the ones where you answer the questions and it’s supposed to tell you what your strengths are and what job would be best suited for you. I remember how incredibly disappointed I was when mine came back and said I should be a CPA. I detest math. And not only that, I totally suck at it.

I think another problem for me is I never really figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up. (I still don’t know.) I did everything I possibly could. Piano lessons; violin lessons; dance lessons (ballet, jazz, tap, musical comedy, modern); concert band (saxophone); marching band; orchestra; newspaper staff; creative writing class; aerospace/aviation class (I was going to be first a pilot, then an astronaut–HA!). I drove my mother crazy until she finally said - pick two things and that’s it!  

I find myself doing the same thing with my writing. I want to write contemporary. No, fantasy. No, YA fantasy. No, time travel. No, historical. Oh, hell, I want to write them all! But I also find that there are only so many hours in the day. And I’m just not sure if I have the staying power, if that makes sense. I wonder if I’m truly self-motivated enough to make this happen. And I’m also wondering if this is something I truly want to do. I’m not sure anymore. I question it daily. I question it when I sit down and read the pages and pages I’ve written and I hear this little voice in the back of my head. You so suck. No one is going to want to read this drivel. You think you can get an agent? HA! Good luck. There’s nothing about your writing that’s high concept or can stand out from the rest. You’re fooling yourself if you think you can do this. You may as well give up now, while you’re still ahead.

Seriously. That’s what I hear. It’s inner demons, isn’t it? Demons that never want to shut up. They’re hard to overcome sometimes.

I’m not saying I’m quitting. I’m saying I’m re-evaluating (still). I’m trying to figure out what my next course of action is. After two rejections, I’m wondering what I should do next. I’m wondering if my writing is strong enough to make it to the next level (that being NY). So I’ve been thinking about what I should work on and submit next. I need a plan - I function much better if I have a plan. And I think that’s why I’ve had such a horrible time at writing.

I guess I’ll figure it out eventually.

I’m off to Flash class today and tomorrow. And it’s very cloudy and overcast today. We’re supposed to get more rain, which makes me (and the ground) happy! I’m very sore from this weekend and I’ve had some strange things going on - my chest hurt so bad last night it hurt to lay down. I’m going to chalk that up to bad indigestion.

Anyway…gotta get the kiddo up and get on the road to class. Happy Tuesday!

My good friend, Devon, has a book release today! HEX BREAKER is now available from Firedrakes Weyr. Be sure and get your copy today.

Also, she’s taken time out of her busy schedule to do an interview with me. Enjoy! And go get her book. That’s an order.

Interview with Devon Ellington, author of Hex Breaker

When did you know you wanted to be a writer? And how did you get your start?
I’ve been writing since I was a kid.  I published in school type magazines in elementary school, and did press for the high school’s music organizations in high school.  I wrote some plays in high school, too.  In college, I got away from the writing and focused more on production, although I kept extensive journals.  I got back into the writing, mostly with plays, in the 1990’s, working off-Broadway and writing for actress friends who couldn’t find good monologues.  That blossomed back into prose.  For several years, I ran dual careers on Broadway and writing; in the last couple of years I’ve been making the transition to writing full-time, adding business and article writing into the mix.

Where do you find your inspiration?
Everything is inspiration.  Nothing a writer experiences on any level is ever wasted.  I work primarily from character, so characters tend to be my starting point.  A character starts telling me a story, and then I start asking, “What if?” and we fly from there.

What is the one writer’s tool you can’t live without?
A good pen!  I’ve written outlines and even parts of short stories on bar napkins or the backs of envelopes.  A musician friend of mine was very insulted once because I scrawled a short story on napkins while I sat in the front row while he performed his set – but something in his music inspired me, and it had to be written down RIGHT AWAY.  So, yeah, a good, reliable pen!

How many words/pages do you do in a day/week/month? And how do you keep yourself motivated to do them?
I do as many as need to be done.  I do 1K first thing in my day, usually fiction, and then switch back and forth on projects depending on what’s on deadline. I like to do about 1500 – 2000 words/day on a single project, but switch off projects all day as necessary.   Motivation – this is how I make my living; I don’t write, I don’t eat.  No one else is going to pay the bills or look after me.  It’s up to me.  And I’m not willing to knuckle under to some cubicle job and write “on the side”.  I’ve made my living the entire life in the arts, first in theatre, and now writing.  I suppose you could call Broadway the “day job”, even though it’s at night, but there’s a saying “theatre is a jealous mistress”, which I’ve found to be very true.  It’s much harder for me to write when I’m in a full Broadway show week, so I limit the amount of work I accept backstage.  The writing has to come first, and I have to be ruthless about it.  It’s hard, because I love the work backstage, and I work with some amazing people who matter so much to me, but there comes a point where my own work has to come first.

Whose work has influenced you the most?
So many writers have influenced me.  Harriet Beecher Stowe and Louisa May Alcott are huge influences, as is Shakespeare.  There’s a reason we keep going back to his work after all this time.  I was lucky enough to work with both Arthur Miller and Athol Fugard – within the same six-month period, actually – they were huge influences on me.  As far as contemporary fiction writers, I’d say Jodi Picoult, Elizabeth Berg, Yasmine Galenorn, Sharon Shinn, and Ian Rankin are my strongest influences.  And Chaz Brenchley.  I am totally in awe of Chaz Brenchley’s writing.  Plus he’s one of the best humans on the planet.

Today is the release of your novella, HEX BREAKER. Where did you get the idea for that?
I wrote it on a dare.  A couple of the scenes came into my head after working long hours on a television episodic, coming home and feeling rather zombie-like!  Not to mention annoyed with some of the foibles that take place on a set.  The car chase scene formed in my head when someone was trying to crawl up my tailpipes late night on the I-95 one night.  And the opening sequence was part of a dream I had while working with the inspiration for the character of Randy.  Originally, Wyatt East, the male protagonist, was not even a consideration in the book.  Billy Root was supposed to be Jain’s foil.  But then Wyatt sauntered into the book in Chapter Two and took over.  He pushed Billy aside, and he’s a much stronger individual than Billy, and a better match for Jain.

Tell us a little about the book.
Hex Breaker Jain Lazarus joins the crew of a cursed film, hoping to put to rest what was stirred up before more people die and the film is lost.  Tough, practical Detective Wyatt East becomes her unlikely ally and lover on an adventure fighting zombies, ceremonial magicians, the town wife-beater, the messenger of the gods, and their own pasts.  Hey, it’s always more fun when they have dark pasts, isn’t it?

Will there be more adventures with these characters?
Yes.  I should have a short story available for free download soon.  The second story in the series, tentatively titled OLD-FASHIONED DETECTIVE WORK, is told through Wyatt’s eyes, and is almost finished.  The third will be told through Billy Root’s point of view and is set in Scotland.  Gee, now there’s a surprise, right?  Something of mine set in Scotland – again!

What are you working on now?
I’m working on the Jain Lazarus short story, and  I’m trying to finish OLD-FASHIONED DETECTIVE WORK so I can start on Billy’s story.  I’m working on the next story for the crew of The Merry’s Dalliance – NEW MYTHS will have the first of these pirate fantasy stories in their fall issue. I’ve also begun the second book in the trilogy that starts with TRACKING MEDUSA, the archaeological adventures featuring Dr. Gwen Finnegan and Justin Yates.  This one is called THE BALTHAZAAR TREASURE.  I get to use more of the research from CUTTHROAT CHARLOTTE and The Merry stories in it.  I warn you – Justin’s going to break your heart in this one.

Thanks so much for the interview.

HEX BREAKER
Available from Firedrakes Weyr Publishing, www.firedrakesweyr.com
$4/digital novella, $6/CD

Visit the Hex Breaker site to keep up with the latest Jain Lazarus adventures and read excerpts at: http://hexbreaker.devonellingtonwork.com.

Keep up with Devon Ellington’s writing and latest releases on Ink in My Coffee:  http://devonellington.wordpress.com

Thanks, Devon! I can’t wait to read the book!

It seems like everywhere I went yesterday, there were stupid people. From the time I got on the highway to the time I drove in the driveway. Idiots everywhere. I was highly agitated by the time I got home from work - which, incidentally, it took nearly 20 minutes just to get out of downtown (a normally 5 minute trek). AND my shoes gave me blisters. GRR

Work especially tried my patience today. I was very ready to leave when I walked out the door at 5 pm.

On the upside… the kiddo and I hung out. He was so sweet - after dinner he decided to give me a make-over. Which really consisted of combing my hair and “styling” it. I thought that was cute. Later, he watched Star Wars III since he hadn’t ever seen it before. He was happy as a lark watching the movie with a giant bowl of popcorn. I had cookies and milk which seemed to lighten my mood.

I did get a few words in on Magic. Progess is still slow, but chapter 3 is complete and I’m ready to move on.

And that’s it for me. And it’s only Tuesday… *groan*

I totally missed Wordless Wednesday yesterday! And I had SUCH a great post for it, too.

Oh well.

My blogging the long post was much more important. I’m sure everyone was RIVETED with my theater story. Come on, now. You know you were!

Progress Report:

• 1758 words on Tuesday, January 1
• 1955 words on Wednesday, January 2

Go me!

Let’s hope I make that word count for today.

Yesterday was totally uneventful. Wait, that’s not right. Let me start over.

Yesterday was a weird-ass morning. See? I’ve already purged it from my brain. I got up on time, got ready for work. And since I had the kiddo still, I got him up at 7 am so I could get him ready to take to his grandmom. Well, I got him dressed and all that and then went out to the garage to start the car and get it warm.

As I walked back into the house throught he garage…BAM! I smacked the kiddo with the door! It scared the life out of me. He was fine. He looked shocked and surprised and I was freaking out. He said, very quickly, “I’m okay. It didn’t hurt.”

But I could tell he was trying hard not to cry and it was killing me. So I hugged and fussed and kissed and made a big deal out of it. But he was fine. It didn’t even leave a red mark so I didn’t hit him that hard.

Five minutes later, we headed for the car. He usually gets in first while I put my stuff in the front. He has a hard time getting his seatbelt buckled around his thick coat (and it was BLOODY COLD yesterday morning, too), so I usually do it. Well, he shut the car door seconds before I got to him.

So I opened it. And the little stinker was holding onto the handle and nearly fell out of the car!

Sheesh.

“What are you doing?!”

“HEY! I was holding on to that!” he shouts back.

He was using it as leverage to get up into his seat. Why he was on the floorboard of the car is beyond me.

I get him buckled. We get out of the house. The damn garage door won’t shut. I finally get it shut and have to get OUT of the car to stomp on the damn handle of the door to make it go down all the way (yeah, it’s still sick and doesn’t want to work right). Back in the car, get situated AGAIN, get the seatbelt on and we’re off.

Get to Grandmom’s house, drop him off. Hug and kiss and love on him and tell him to stay inside because it’s FREAKING cold outside (hey - 27 is cold for us Texans). He seems fine with it. I walk outside, get back in the car, get onto the road and am 2 seconds away from my cell phone rings.

It’s my child crying his eyes out because I didn’t “wave bye” to him. So I explained to him that I DID when I left him at the door and I gave him a hug and a kiss and it was okay because it was cold outside and he needed to stay inside. I talked him down. He was fine when we hung up a few minutes later.

But I got to work and felt like a total schmuck. I guess you have those days as a parent when you think - WHY THE HELL IS THIS SO HARD?

I think I have more gray hair.

So. It’s now 2008. What does that mean for me?

Well, for starters…it means new writing goals I’m determined to stick to. That’s the biggest resolution I’ve made. Well, that and getting out of debt. But that’s always on the list.

I tried to start the new year with a clean house. A clean desk. A clean office. Clutter-free. So far, so good! I got my newsletter out to my subscribers this morning as well. It’s all about goals!

But as for writing…I got this daily planner from a friend for Christmas. I’ve dubbed it my “writing planner” because I’m making daily notations in it on my daily word count. My goal every day is 1000 words. Today I wrote for an hour and I managed to get in… 1758 words. WOO! It felt good. I actually sat down and got into the story and wrote while my son played on the Wii and shouted to me from the living room. It proved that yes I can write with distraction.

I don’t know how well yet, though, since I haven’t proofed that chapter. hehe

As for 2008… I have a list of manuscripts I’d like to (a) finish and (b) write. I’m going to check them off as I get them done. I’d like to be finished with Take Me I’m Yours by the end of the week, but that may be pressing things a bit. We’ll see how it goes. If I can keep the momentum going, maybe I can get close. And since my kiddo will be with his dad this weekend, maybe I can knock it out.

My next order of business will be The Magic Within. Yes, that tired old thing. I’m determined. Even after six years of the on-again/off-again affair I’ve had with the story. I think I’ve finally figured it out. Of course, I could be fooling myself and it’ll all change again by the time I get to it.

In other news… took the kiddo to see National Treasure: Book of Secrets today. It was an annoying theater experience. I stood in the Slowest Concession Stand Line Known To Man. Seriously. I don’t think that kid could have gotten any slower. It was life-sucking. It made me want to mash in line. It made me want to fall on a sword. I’m sure you get the idea.

We FINALLY get through that line with our drink, candy and popcorn (and hey-I had a coupon for a free popcorn!) and then we had to stand in yet another line to wait for the theater to get cleaned so we could find our seats. We always sit at the very top row (because I hate when people kick my seat). People were still flooding into the theater wel after the house lights lowered. There wasn’t an empty seat in the place. (Except for the first two rows and who the hell wants to sit there?)

And by the time the previews started, I realized I had to visit the loo. I was shocked. This had never ever happened to me before. I always plan ahead because I (a) never want to leave the movie once it starts and (b) it’s hard to leave the theater when you have your six-year-old becuase you can’t leave him there and it’s a pain in the arse to take him with you. And since he’s so young, I can’t leave him alone nor can I not take him in the bathroom with me.

It’s a dilemma for sure. 

So I was miserable for just over two hours. I mean I was in serious bladder pain! And the movie just seemed to drag on and on and on. It wasn’t nearly as entertaining as the first one though I have to admit it was still somewhat entertaining. Helen Mirren was good and the guy who plays Riley is always humorous.  There was one really cool car chase in London but it lacked the action and adventure of the first one.

And I had to pee. Bad.

By the time the movie was over I ran to the nearest bathroom. And here’s what kills me. There was a line (of course!) and these two broads were standing there waiting while there were two empty stalls. Okay, so yeah. I’m gonna say something. And she looked at me as if the lightbulb in her head just went off. “Oh, yeah! Thanks!”

Daffy broad.

I’m sure this is way more information than anyone wanted…

Anyway, while waiting in line, my son says to me, “Mom, I can wait outside.”

Um. NO WAY.

As we were getting in the car, I explained to him why he has to go with me–becuase I can’t leave him alone since he’s too little.

“But, Mom,” he says, “I will just tell people not to take me.”

Yeah, I’m so sure that would work. So we had the Stranger-Danger talk again. And I think I got more gray hair.

Oh, and did I mention the incredibly creepy guy that was hanging around outside the theater? I noticed him as we walked up. He actually leered at me as I went by and said something. I squeezed my kid’s hand tighter and just kept walking, ignoring him. I was glad he was gone when we went back to the car.

Aside from all that - yeah! The movie was great!

So far 2008 has started off quite interesting…

P.S. I’ve totally given up on Zokutou word meter. It never seems to want to work anymore. So I’ve switched to using Writertopia’s. It works!