But will be much of the same as yesterday. Though, I think a little calmer. I might actually get a lunch hour today. Which means I’m going to be writing. I really want to get back to my story.

Yesterday was hectic, too, but I was actually able to get some work done. We had this photo shoot at work for some professional head shots and some candid photos for our upcoming marketing campaigns. I took some photos and had a lot of fun with it. We’ve worked with the photographer in the past, and he’s super. He knows how to chat people up to make them feel comfortable.

A week or so ago I read a blog where Sourcebook editor, Deb Werksman, talked about branding and career arcs. I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately and trying to figure out my direction, what sort of writer I am and want to be, and where I want to be in 5 years. I’m a true Gemini and as such I tend to be “of two minds” about EVERYTHING. It maddening sometimes, actually. So I’m trying to force myself to focus on the end goal and figure out what the process is to getting there. I want it to be flexible enough that I can roll with it when things to go as planned but rigid enough that it keeps me on my goal course. And I know me, so I know I won’t be able to set monthly goals. I think what works for me is more generic goals. Like, “I want to write three books this year,” as opposed to, “I want to write 4000 words per day.” 

So. That’s where I am on the writing front!

UPDATE: Yesterday’s word count: 4130. Busted the 27k mark. I’m getting closer…

SO. Here’s something to ponder. I noticed the other night at basketball practice that Moms are the minority parent there. It’s mostly dads. I think I was the only mom there, tapping away on her Mini with her iPhone in her lap. Yeah, I looked cool doing it, too.

At soccer practice, not a dad in sight. Mostly moms. And you know what? We were all sitting in our respective cars. I was tappinga way on my Mini with my iPhone in my lap. Yeah. Looking cool doing it, too, but no one saw me there. However, I do love the fact that I’m getting so much writing done at these various practices.

Anway, I digress. Is soccer a “mom” sport and basketball a “dad” sport? Is soccer the suburban mom thing while basketball is the suburban dad thing? I’m just wondering if I’m alone in the observation.

And that’s all I got. It’s Friday. Thank goodness.

Have a smashing weekend ya’ll.

Busy today and yesterday but I managed another 1000 words. Not as much as I would like but something! Tonight is soccer. You bet I’ll be sitting in the car with the Mini. I hit the 24K mark yesterday and hoping to get past 25k today. I’m determined.

A warrior never quits.

One of my publishers emailed and asked, since I was a contractor author, if I would be submitting anything for their 2010 line-up. And if so, what and when. of course, it’s contingent upon acceptance.

Well, I took that as the push I needed to get my very large, lazy ass in gear. So I committed to finishing a contemporary in three months. I’m shooting for novella length and it’ll be a follow up to TAKE ME I’M YOURS. I’m pretty sure I can finish it in three months if I force myself to write every day.

So I started on Sunday and I’m currently 7879 words into it. Most of that is revision, but some of it IS new material. Especially since I’m switching POV from first to third. So not sure how I can keep up the rigid schedule with basketball on Tuesday, soccer of Thursday, and a myriad of other miscellaneous things I have to get done. But I AM going to do it. 

I promised myself I would. So, no more jacking around. I’m writing. Wish me luck.

I think that’s how I truly feel about the Lost premiere. I was underwhelmed. Oh, sure, it had its good points. And it raised more questions – of course. But overall, Meh.

Things are a little hectic. Man took his truck into the shop so I’m the taxi for him and the kiddo. Which is really fine. We’re lucky in that we only work about 5 mins from each other and his work is on the way to/from my work. And the dealership is just up the street from the house.

I’m nearly done with my taxes. I have a few tweaks to make on it before I decide to submit it. Then I’m hitting efile and calling it done. With my tax refund this year, I’m going to try to get my sorry bathrooms fixed. They’re really in sad shape and if I ever want to sell the house, I think they need some attention. New shower/tub installations, a coat of paint, new sinks new light fixtures, new mirror, some storage. Yes, I hear the dollar signs ringing. But I will do what I can with what I have.

Got about 800 words written on the story. The evenings go SO fast and the kiddo had a ton of homework last night because he was out Tuesday for the doctor. It was painful. Math, science, spelling. We didn’t finish. Luckily he only has to turn it all in by Friday so we’ll be finishing it up tonight.

And that’s about all I have to report. I’m relieved it’s nearly Friday.

Since is a new decade and a new year, I thought it would be fun to do a sort of 2009 year in review of the things that’s happened this year. At first I thought I’d do it sequentially by month but then decided my brain cells are practically fried and there’s no way I can remember things like that. So it’s just in random order. Anyway, here goes.

Here I Go Conferencing

I attended by first RWA National conference in Washington, DC. I met a lot of friends I had only known via Yahoo groups and via email. It was nice to put a face with a name. I also met a lot of new people, wore my fabulous red party dress and shoes to FF&P’s “The Gathering” event. I attended workshops and heard speakers. I walked away from the conference feeling inspired and energized and ready to take on my next project. I also had my first pitch appointment (which later got a rejection). I also attended the literacy signing where I spent way too much on books, met the awesome Nancy Haddock, Gena Showalter, and even got a book signed for my mother by Nora Roberts. It was too cool.

Providing Feedback

I think I judged seven contests and read some fantastic entries and some entries that had hidden potential but needed a lot of help. I tried very hard to provide each writer with detailed feedback on their entry. Hopefully I helped make a difference in their writing and they took something that could use.

I got a Nook! And I think that’s adequate.

On the writing front

I finished Fight of the Phoenix, aka the gladiator book. I shopped it. I got about 10 rejection letters for it (go me!). I submitted it to two publishers (shh – don’t tell them I simultaneously submitted!) which I’m waiting to hear back on. I love the story and hope that it’ll find a home on a book shelf soon.

I started working on my very first urban fantasy story. It’s sort of a re-imagined version of a story I started long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away. It’s based heavily on Celtic Mythology. My hope is that I weave a magical fairy tale for grown-ups. This month, I’ll be starting back up on that hot and heavy and hopefully have the first draft completed by April 1. That’s the goal, anyway.

Goals

I’ve set goals for the year.

1. Not volunteer so much. I love my chapters but I’ve come to realize I can’t do it all for everyone. So I’ve stepped down from one board and am going to try really hard to par down my volunteerism. That includes judging contests, or at least not so many.

2. I have to focus on writing and finishing in a timely manner. I can finish the draft of a book in about 6 weeks if I try really hard. I want to do that this year. I want to finish the urban fantasy and start on the second in the series. I’d also like to at least outline a contemporary or two. But the main goal is to finish the fantasy and hunt for an agent for the book I’ve already finished.

3. Write every day and meet or exceed a daily word count (I participate in a group that posts random numbers daily to meet or exceed). It’s going to be tough to find time to write between the job and the kid but I think I can do it.

I’m looking forward to Nationals in Nashville this year. Plus I’d love to try and travel more. In fact, I’ll be flying to Houston for a wedding in a couple of weeks.

So here’s to 2010! It’s going to be a GRAND year.

This has been the longest week. It’s tough getting back to work after a long holiday. Especially a good long holiday where every day is just enjoyable. I’m so ready for this week to be done and over.

This morning, though, I will be trapped in a very large room with lots of other people who have been called to do their civic duty – jury duty that is. I resent I was called AGAIN. I swear it hasn’t even been 12 months since the last time I was called. I distinctly remember it because it was butt-cold and I walked from the justice center back to the office – about six or seven blocks – and I froze my ass off. I was so cold I actually ran the rest of the way while my face was frozen and my hands and feet were numb.

This morning we wake up to flurries – yes, again! – and it’s butt-cold again! I am not amused, Tarrant County. NOT.AMUSED.

Yesterday was a tough day for me. I was very out-of-sorts for various reasons. Then I discover my mail list that went to the printer had about 250 missing zip codes. And of course I find out with an hour left in the day and I’m trying to cram it all in before I leave because, as I said, I have to be in jury duty this morning. I manage to get it all done and leave the office later. Which meant picking up the kid was late and getting home was late. Which meant dinner was even later. And almost a disaster. I usually time everything just right so it’s all done at the same time but I was having an off-night.

Man sent me a text and told me he had to stop for gas, so I decided, as I’m attempting to cook dinner, I’m going to make him a pot a coffee with fresh ground beans in my fancy coffee pot. I pour the water in, start it. He gets home, pours a cup of…hot water. The beans never ground! Which means their stopped up in the grinder. sigh Finally we eat dinner and Man makes a real pot of coffee. But as I’m doing the dishes, I knock over his cup and spill his coffee. At least I managed to get the dishes done without breaking one.

Then it’s time to quiz the kiddo for his test tomorrow and all of a sudden it’s time for him to go to bed. I mean, seriously? Where does the time go? It’s like I blink and the evening is done.

I did work on the book a little last night. Mostly some brainstorming and figure out things. Since I’m stuck at the courthouse today, I printed off lots of pages to read from the beginning and see just how sucky it is (I’ll let you know). I figured I may as well make use of my time. Plus I really need to see how the story is progressing. It feels like there is a lot of missing description and emotion.

So I’ve decided to stop fretting about submitting/querying right now and just focus all my attention on this new book. I don’t think the entire draft will by done by January 1 since I’m slowing down the process and going to do a write/edit sort of thing. But that’s okay. As long as the book gets done by Spring, is polished and ready to submit, that’s okay by me.

At least it’s finally Friday! And tomorrow night I have a Christmas party to go to. I’m really looking forward to that.

On the way home yesterday, it poured down rain. (In fact, it poured rain all day yesterday.) So much so it was difficult to see and I had the windshield wipers on high. There was a police car with his lights on parked on the shoulder of the highway. Turns out it wasn’t a wreck but instead two guys changing a tire. Clearly one guy helping the other change the tire in the pouring rain. My first thought was how nice it was for the other guy to stop and help. My second thought was – WOOF! In the rain! Indeed a good samartian.

I was exhausted when I got home last night. And so glad I made pot roast all day in the crock pot so I didn’t have to cook! That made dinner easy. But the dishes were a pain in the butt. The kid was having one of those evenings where he couldn’t focus (wonder where he gets it?) and getting homework done was a chore. So was bath, brushing teeth, getting into bed. I was ready to rip all my hair out by the time it was over.

Then I treated myself to ice cream and writing on the Mini. The Mini has been awesome this week for writing. I busted the 19K mark finally.

And I can’t believe it’s Thursday already! This week has flown. The school is having it’s book fair so I told the kiddo I’d take him and he could pick out a book or two. I can never say no to books, especially if the funds are going back into the school.

Not much else happening other than that. Happy Thursday, ya’ll!

For the last few weeks, I’ve been cleaning. When you’re cramped for space, every inch counts.

I went through my son’s room and cleaned it up, rearranged the furniture, and threw a bunch of stuff away. I made him have a Donate, Keep, and Trash pile. He did fairly good. The donate items are still in my trunk, though. I really need to get rid of them. I want to give them to a placed called Arc of Texas. They have Thrift Town stores and I feel like the stuff will go to good use.

I also donated two giant bags of my clothes to Salvation Army. This week was about selling off my crappy furniture. I got rid of my two chairs that both Man and I hate (they were terribly uncomfortable). I sold off the bunk beds in my son’s rooms to a lady with two small children and one on the way. I sold the couch (which will be picked up this Friday). I made enough to put down a nice chunk on the new sofa that’s arriving this Saturday.

But this past Saturday… Man and I drove out to Arlington to pick up my son’s new bed. It was a nice afternoon drive and the wait wasn’t too bad. At least the distribution center was highly organized. And Man was happy because there was college football on in the waiting area. We watched the tail end of the LSU-Miss State game. Which was rather exciting, if I’m being honest.

Anyway, got home and put the kid’s bed together. It’s fabulous! See below.

I’ve already made use of the two drawers and the two side storage areas. It’s really nice to have all his junk off the floor and hidden away. Plus I now have more room for important things like socks and underwear and pajamas. And his room is CLEAN! Love that.

Yesterday, Man and I went to Wal-Mart and got two filing cabinets which we both needed. We are so organized is disgusting. I finally have a place for all that crap I needed to keep (years back of RWA contest stuff). I finally found a home for all my researching and writing files. It’s wonderful! I love getting organized! I love cleaning house! I love getting new furniture!

I also got back to the WIP. While Man and I had lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings on Saturday I talked through some plot problems and he helped me with them. I thought I had written myself into a corner, so he helped me figure out a way out. That night, I did more researching and I finally figured out my Dark King. Amazing what talking out loud about yoru story will do. And even though he’s not a writer, sometimes he can see the best solution. “Well, why don’t you have the queen do this and that,” he says. And it was like a light-bulb moment for me. He’s brilliant.

So I made some changes in one of the chapters and then finished writing chapter four. I think I can finally go on, now. I still want to have the draft done by December 1 and I’m fairly confident I can reach that goal.

Hard to believe October is right around the corner. Also hard to believe that is time for the State Fair. Where has this year gone?

Another good thing this weekend: my allergies weren’t bothering me as much. I doctored myself up a lot and also slept in Sunday. I didn’t get up until nearly 10 which is super late for me. I needed the rest, though.

It’s Monday, though. Another long week ahead. Here’s hoping for more productive nights on the WIP.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by Devon’s blog yesterday with my characters/emotions post. It was fun.

We finally got a break in the rain yesterday. We even had some sunshine and a patch of blue sky! I’d forgotten what it looked like since it’d been raining for, oh, FOUR FREAKING DAYS. Ah well. We needed it. The lakes did. And especially my yard did. Plus we have cooler temps and the air isn’t running so much, which is nice. I like it. Keep it up!

The other night, I managed to get about 1500 words done on the new WIP. But then the next night I got only 200. BLAH. Hey, still progress, right? I inched closer to 12k, though. I finished chapter three and started on four and it’s hard for me to write. Hard as in there’s a lot of dark moments.  Makes me actually feel back for the charater.

I fully intended to work on the book again last night but I had some things I needed to catch up on and answer some emails and well, it didn’t get done. Plus I had a raging headache. Must be something in the air because I woke up with it.

Tonight, I get the kiddo back. Looking forward to that. Guess I need to think about something to thaw for dinner, huh?

Happy Wednesday!

Hey, all! I’m a guest over at my friend, Devon’s, blog while she’s off visiting Prague. You can read my post here! Stop on by and give us some love.

So I got two rejections yesterday from two agents. Something like that can seriously deflate a person, you know? And here I thought that book was kick-ass and it would easily be snatched up.

Wrong. Of course, I’m still waiting to hear back from a few others. Of course, I still have hope there will be a bite. But I still sat back and went, “You know, maybe it DOES suck.”

And I’m cool with that.

And then I thought: Maybe it’s not the book it’s the QUERY that sucks. Yes, that has to be it. The query letter is awful.

And then I re-read the query and I’m convinced it DOESN’T suck and the book is really as kick-ass as I thought it was to begin with.

I hate this business sometimes. It makes you want to rip your hair out. Then other times it makes you leap for joy. Other times, still, it makes you weep. For a variety of reasons!

Such is the way of things. Okay sure I know – work on something else while you’re waiting (I am). Don’t get discouraged (I’m not). Write the best book you can (I did). It’s just frustrating that it takes so darn long to get a response back.

Last night I spent a good portion of time doing some brainstorming on the new book and trying to figure out a particular piece of the puzzle. I also did some writing. I got in abou 1500 words and busted 11K. GO ME! That felt good and the story is getting fun. My poor heroine just got the shock of her life. And even as I write this, I’m wondering what sort of hell I can put them through to make it all worthwhile in the end.

And NOTE TO SELF: Never watch any show pertaining to Charles Mason before bedtime. I made the grave error of watching the documentary, Manson, on History Channel the night before and ended up with a restless night. That guy was just evil. And those mindless minions of his were evil and freaky. I’m fairly certain there’s a special place in Hell for them all.

AND! On that note, I’m off to work. But DO stop by Devon’s blog today if you can!

It’d like to lodge a formal complaint: The weekends go too fast!

I spent Friday night alone, which wasn’t all that much fun. I’ve gotten used to having a constant companion of some sort – the Man or the Kid. But the Man was still on vacation and the Kid was at his dad’s. So I researched. For two hours. I took notes. I searched for information and I have a really great foundation for the new book. I’m about 5000 words in.

Got up early Saturday morning for the first soccer game of the season. We won! And the boys played great. Then I ran errands. To the library, to Best Buy, to the store, Bed Bath and Beyond. Lots of things to do. Since I knew Man was coming home that day, I got home and cleaned house. I discovered this great stuff – Comet Spray Gel – for my nasty shower. And WOW! That stuff really works. I ran out of energy and was tired of breathing the fumes, but one wall is glistening. I’ll have to go back and scrub the others. I bought one of those shampoo/conditioner dispensers you hang on the shower wall and put that up. It’s awesome by the way. I love it! And it was well worth the $30. I’m thinking if I can get the nasty shower clean, then I won’t have to replace the whole thing like I originally thought. Which will save me about $3000. It just means lots of elbow grease and sweat. I can do that.

Man made it hom finally about 8:30 that night and we stayed up until nearly midnight. He told me all about his trip and brought me a little stuffed black cat from Salem, Massachusetts. It is, of course, wearing a witch hat. I also got a mini replica of the St. Louis Arch. Too cool. It was nice to see him after 7 days.

Sunday – My sweetie boy’s birthday! I can’t believe he’s 8. That went so fast! Seems like yesterday he was born and small. Now he’s big and he says things like, “MOM, these people just don’t understand what I’m saying sometimes.” Which cracks me up. And he’s in 3rd grade! And a future gamer, much to my dismay. I try to steer him off of that but he’s stubborn. Wonder where he gets that?

Man and I got up early and ran errands. More errands! He needed new shows and I needed toner and a bunch of miscellaneous stuff. Came home, hung out. Kiddo came to the hose around 4 and we had dinner and he opened presents. It was a nice evening. And not nearly long enough for my taste.

And now…Monday. Back to the same ole/same ole. Hopefully I’ll get more work done on the new book. I really need to sit and think about a decent plot and try to get something sketched out before I get too much further. Very pleased with chapter 1, though.

Off to work!

I think all the late nights finally caught up to me yesterday. I was exhausted by 8:30.

We had soccer practice, which always puts a crimp in the evening. However, I was smart. I made dinner in the crock pot! So dinner was done and waiting for us when we got home. Plus, it’s really low maintenance on the dishes. LOVE that. We had a nice thunderstorm roll through, too. My lawn is happy.

Got home, ate dinner, the kiddo studied for his test today and then got him in the shower and into bed. I forced myself to stay up a little longer. I started a new story today. Sort of a revamp of the old MAGIC story. There was something about that one that was never quite right and I think I finally figured it out. It’s urban fantasy. Maybe. Well, okay, probably. I wrote over 3000 words on it so far.

And it’s dark. I actually scared myself when I was writing. Who knew! I mean, I had this heart-pounding moment when I finished writing the first chapter and then sat back and re-read it. It startled me. Ever have that happen? Ever write something so intense and so … dark … that when you go back and read, it just freaks you out? That was me. LOL

I’m going to plug away and see where it goes. I have a general idea. It’s basically revamping the old fantasy story into a new urban fantasy story. Should be grand fun.

Happy Weekend!

I got a lot done yesterday. Since the kiddo was at his dad’s and Man was lost in Syracuse, NY, I had a date with my computer for the evening.

Well, most of the evening. I purged more paperbacks off my bookshelves that I don’t want or need. I’ve decided since I don’t get a lot of cash from them at Half Price to donate them to the local library. That way, everybody wins. I get rid of my books and the library gets books. Works for me. I have a stack of about 20 or so. I think they’ll be excited to get them.

I also talked to my good friend on the phone about a partial request she got from an agent. I am SO excited for her! Crossing all my fingers and toes for her!

Anyway, despite my bleary eyes this morning, I’m up and somewhat conscious. My coffee just finished (YES) so I’ll be sipping on that while I try to string coherent sentences together. That’s what I get for staying up late.

I worked on the revisions until 11:30 last night. But I got chapters 18 and 19 in excellent shape. That’s about 24 pages of revision. Today I’ll print them, read through them, and fix any minor errors I see. I added a new scene or two, cut a bunch of stuff that didn’t make sense, and tightened up the rest. If I can work on it hard and heavy tonight, I should be done by the end of the week. WOO!

Then I climbed into bed and since my brain refused to shut off, I decided to re-read Darkfever, the first book in the Fever series. I want to see how much foreshadowing the author does to the fourth book. So far, the prologue showed me lots of that. And I can’t help but wonder how she managed to keep it all together. I heard she has a giant spreadsheet (I loves spreadsheets). I also heard she has two related series planned after this one is finished. Can’t wait to read those!

I should be good and tired today since I stayed up so late. Don’t know if I’ll be doing that again tonight but I do know I’ll be working on the book one way or another.

Time to shower! Happy Tuesday, ya’ll.

So I wake up yesterday morning and as I’m combing my hair out after my shower, I feel something really painful on my neck.

Turns out it’s a frigging zit the size of Wyoming on the back of my neck just at the hairline. What the frack? I mean, seriously? Aren’t I too old for that?

I’m going to attribute it to the heat (which I’m official SICK of). That and the fact that being nearly 40 really kind of sucks.

So, anyway, I was relating this information to my BFF via email and I told her it was totally like Invation of the Pod People or something. I felt like I had been abducted by aliens sometime between Man blowing his nose at 3 am and me waking up at 6 am. That could really be the only explanation right? She asked me if I thought the Wyoming Zit was the point of entry. I told her I thought it was.

Fast forward to later that night – which was Taco Night, by the way. If you haven’t jumped on the Taco Tuesday bandwagon, well, may I suggest you do that next week? It’s grand fun. So after I get the kiddo settled into bed and collect my thoughts for 2.3 seconds, Man is sitting on the sofa watching History Channel’s The Universe. They’re talking about how in about a couple billion years, the Sun will explode and the Earth will be no more. Because, you see, it’s going to burn itself out.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tell us something we don’t know.

But as I sat there listening to the narrator and the scientists, I thought… What would happen if there were still people on the Earth at that time? Would they know the Sun was about to go kaboom? And if so, what would they be doing about it?

I bet you’re wondering what that has to do with the zit on my neck and so I’ll tell you. It’s a twisted way to come up with a new idea for a new futuristic story that involves the Sun exploding, the Earth dying, and aliens. But then, who said I wasn’t twisted? I’m still working on the details.

Worked on more revisions for the gladiator book, too. Stayed up way too late. Need much coffee.

I’m off to Big D today and tomorrow and I’m totally not looking forward to the drive. At least I will be armed with iPod and coffee. And I’m still learning where the END key is on this Mini. And I think I need glasses.

Yeah. It sucks to get old.