Exhaustion hit me early evening, which makes me really glad I pushed on the story over lunch. The entire draft of Sunguard has been redlined on paper, with sheets of new scenes and paragraphs that need to be added. Evening is starting to become difficult again at week 24 of this pregnancy, and I still have about 14 weeks to go. Sunguard is my priority this weekend, but I think I’ll have to focus most of the work around the daughter’s afternoon naps. It’s killing me not to have this one done already.
Moving Along
I managed some decent writing today. Nighthunter’s Bite is coming together in my mind, and I’ve got some more notes. Sunguard is definitely moving ahead. I went back to redlining on paper with pen instead of using MS Word’s track changes, and I feel like it’s made all the difference. I redlined 7 of 17 pages today, and handwrote a new scene, plus bits of some other scenes that needed additions.
Is it possible I’m getting somewhere? 🙂
Tagged Editing, Nighthunter's Bite, Sunguard
Tempting Fate
Yes, I tempt fate. My promise to myself “edit Sunguard no matter what comes up” was derailed by Mother’s Nature’s attempt to blow my city away with massive thunderstorms and sightings of funnel clouds. Niiiice. Thanks, Mama Earth. Love ya. (smooches)
Today was fairly productive, surprising considering how little sleep I got last night.
Over lunch I completed the crit that was troubling me. I don’t usually read, never mind crit, flash fiction. The author is someone whose writing I respect, so it’s always tough for me to get into crit mode in that situation. It IS harder for me to crit for someone when they’re less of a stranger, but that’s okay. I’m learning to handle it better, and I’m learning from the people whose work I’ve learned to critique.
I also started reviewing my notes for Nighthunter’s Bite. I like the concept of the story better now than I did before, and am looking forward to writing it. This is going to my submission to the celtic fantasy anthology and really does have the right foundation for it, I just need to research some details to make it just right.
I’m working on Sunguard now, I won’t get through it tonight though. There’s too much I need to change. But I’m slogging through the handwritten notes, reentering the edits I made last week before I had lost that version of the file. It’s tough going, but I am making progress. Then I can go back and and the two new scenes. I need to do some character work, as two characters that had only been mentioned before, will now have more significant roles. And they weren’t even mentioned in the first version of the story. It’s fun watching how these things develop.
Tagged Crit, Nighthunter's Bite, Sunguard
Back from Vacation & On The Go
“Vacation” simply means “time off of work, not at home” when it’s done with a toddler. She’s moving beyond her toddler phase, and while she is a well behaved child, it’s still work. I gave myself this morning off to recover from the vacation, but it’s off to finish unpacking, doing laundry, buying groceries, and logging on to the work computer (yep, promised them four hours today, which is much better than eight).
I was too exhausted to manage any writing over the trip, but I did get some reading done, and quite enjoyed Wen Spencer’s “Wolf Who Rules”. I get a kick out of her main character Tinker, who is as short as I am, but has courage in spades where mine only comes in spurts. 😉
This week promises to be chaotic, mostly due to committments to the day job that may require more than the normal eight hour day, but I do have a few things I’m aiming for. Sunguard needs editing still, and I intend to finish it this week even if I have to sacrifice sleep. I have some minor goals (my fiction class, a crit, and start/build a short story first draft), but not until Sunguard gets another pass.
July Writing Update / August Goals
Where did July go? There was a good deal of editing, some struggles to write a new story (more on that), a few days on vacation, and a few crazy days at work. I came very close to meeting my goals, and I am satisfied with my progress.
July Results:
- New Submission: 1/1 (and submitted to a second market by month end)
- Stories Edited: 2/2 (Sunguard and Treischan Strength, with edits in progress for Orchard, Eve, and the next draft of Sunguard).
- Stories Written: 0/1 (too many ideas, not enough focus)
- Adv. Fiction Class: 1/1 Lesson
- Read: 1/1 Novel (Tinker, by Wen Spencer)
- Crits: 2/2
August Goals:
- New Submission: 1 (Sunguard)
- Story Edits: 2 (Sunguard & one other)
- Story Writing: 2-3
- Crits: 2
- Adv. Fiction Class: 1 Lesson
- Read: 2 Novels
The short story writing has proven problematic in July because I’ve been in deep edit mode, and the stories I was trying to write, were not truly sincere attempts. I’ve been letting them simmer, which is fine, I like when things simmer, but I never really sat down and gave it my full attention. Once A Thief is actually 2 different stories I have to pry apart, and Stone Forest needs some more focus. However, they’re going to sit on the back burner for August. There are a few anthologies I’d like to try and submit to before the end of the year (October deadline for one, December deadline for another). I’ve got a working title of “Radio Silence” for once, but that will change, and the other is Nighthunter’s Bite, a short I started a few years ago, but lost interest in. I’m going to revamp it with the theme of the anthology in mind, and that seems to be sparking some creativity for me.
As far as editing goes, I’m aiming for Sunguard to be the next submission, so it needs one more good edit (after a few crits). Eve is on my mind, and so is Orchard, but they both need a decent amount of attention. I’ll have to pick one as I get closer.
I’m looking ahead to August, the writing should be fun, but there are time constraints I have to consider. I’m away for the first three days of the month, and then my folks are coming in town for possibly a week or an extended weekend, so I need to make sure I’m using my time right.
Tagged Goals/Results
Monday Update
I spent a good deal of time on Sunguard today, but a computer glitch resulted in a loss of every one of those changes. My evening was spent preparing for the vacation, so I had no time to redo the edits. I did receive a rejection on my short story, so I prepped the next submission package and will mail it out again on Tuesday.
The vacation is going to be fun, but getting ready to go on one is usually a fairly busy time, especially with kids involved. I’ll get there, even if I don’t sleep tonight!
Edit: Sunguard
Yes, still going with Sunguard. I haven’t touched it since earlier in the week and I really want to try and finish this version before I head out on vacation. I had about an hour tonight and implemented the simple edits I marked on the printed manuscript, but I still have in-line comments I made with one scene to add and another scene to rewrite. Time remaining? I have my lunchbreak tomorrow, and a short bit of time tomorrow night before I start packing, so there is some hope. I’m eager – this one is going to be my next submission.
I Knew It
I know when some weeks are impossible for completing anything, and I’m glad this was one week I did expect it. That said, I was able to not stress out over my lack of finishing anything I started. And, I was able to continue writing in dribs and drabs, keeping my projects alive. So what did I do this week?
* Once A Thief – Realized the main character is poking her head up in about three different short story ideas right now, and that I need to give her some free writing time next week to find out who she really is, and what problems she’s really having. Once I know that, I can fit her into the correct story, and move the two others back into worldbuilding/plotting and come up with appropriate main characters.
* Sunguard – did some market research and found an anthology I believe is appropriate which sparked a revelation that my ending was all wrong.
* Crit – read a story for crit, and will try to get the crit done this evening. It’s a short story (flash fiction) so it shouldn’t be a days-long project. I just need to sit down and do it.
The one bad thing I did was daydream about my submission being accepted. I wasn’t getting anything done anyway, so that’s not the issue, but it’s silly to get my hopes up. There are a lot of writers out there who are as good as me, and some better, and I have lots of practicing to do. That said, I do have a lot of faith in this story, and I want it to have a home like I’ve never wanted it before. But that will come in time, not on its very first venture out of the house.
I’ve been toying with the idea of writing a workshop on Time Management for writers to participate in S.L. Viehl’s workshop week, but ironically enough, I don’t think I have the time to write it up this particular weekend. Maybe I’ll set it up and just post it when it’s ready. It’s not that I’ve mastered time, I think I’ve come a long way in understanding where it is, and where it isn’t in my life, and I’ve gotten pretty effecient at determining how to use it. My July goals are near completion. The last item, writing a short story, is complicated because of the character issues. I hope to get it done, but like I said, this last week and a half of July promised distance from my writing. Maybe tonight, after the crit…
Here’s a link to the workshops for next week. If you’ve got any interest in writing, go check it out Monday – Friday. Paperback Writer
Editing Sungard
I’m working on the next draft of Sunguard. The story has come a long way from when I struggled to write it, and it still isn’t easy. The effort has been worth it though, I really think I salvaged a decent story from first draft garbage. Another day or two and the issues should be ironed out.
Celebrating 10 Years of Me
The 28th of this month marks the ten year anniversary of my adulthood. I’m not talking about legal adulthood, I’m referring to the day I left home. I left my family, left the city I’d grown up in, and moved to a strange new place where I had to fend for myself. Sure, I had people to fall back on, and I did rely on them, but this is when I truly became an adult. Let me tell you of the things I learned.
- Proper finance handling
- Car buying (and lemon trading)
- Moving cross country
- Job hunting and keeping
- Marriage, and what it really means to have another half
- Motherhood (one beautiful daughter, and a little boy on the way)
- the meaning of Time
- the importance of being me and enjoying my own activities
That last one hit me as soon as I moved out. I went from living in a house with three other siblings, two parents, a grandparent, a dog and two cats to occupying a one bedroom apartment by myself, in a town where I knew no one. I couldn’t afford cable tv, and really, this is when I learned not only that I loved writing, but that I was good at it, and the dream came alive for me. Ten years ago, I decided I wanted to be a writer. Seriously.
In that time, I’ve researched and taken classes, and read everything I could get my hands on. The results? Take a look below.
Novels
- 3 Completed (1 of which has been edited a few times)
- 2 in progress
- 7 in various stages of worldbuilding and outlining
- 35 viable ideas (with at least 1 paragraph of notes) in 5 genres
Short Stories
- 1 published
- 1 in submissions
- 31 complete (2 are intended for novel conversion)
- 6 shelved (they were learning experiences and need to die)
- 25 awaiting edit (Yes, that’s 25 worth spending time to fix!)
- 10 started but not completed (a project for 2009)
- 3 in progress
Articles
- 2 published
- 10 ideas (being researched or in outline form)
So you see, I’ve had a busy ten years. I’ve learned much, and am continually learning. I’ve surrounded myself with positive people, and learned how and when to laugh at myself. That lesson I learned from my husband.
Tell me – either here or in your own blog – what have you accomplished? Celebrate yourself.
Tagged Goals/Results, Life
Moving Forward
I reread my edits to Sunguard, and between my own observations and a first reader, I made some notes for the next edit pass. I moved on to Eve, which has a good foundation in conflict and emotion, but I need to add some description which is sorely lacking. I think it’s one of the reasons I tend to write more fantasy than science fiction, I have more to play with regarding description and environment. But who am I to back down from a challenge! I’ll keep you posted.
Edit: Sunguard
The Sunguard edit has met with some success. The story nearly doubled in size, and maybe 100 words remains of the original story. The changes are definitely for the better. The ending took an odd turn, but I think it works. I’ve got it out to some readers now, so hopefully soon I’ll know if I’ve gone off the deep end or not. Happy reading, my friends. 🙂
New Submission
For the first time in three years, I have submitted a story to a magazine: Treischan Strength. For my non-fiction, it hasn’t been that long, but I need to get that moving too. The point is: my story is out there, and being out there is the only way to achieve publication. It’s exciting and scary all at once, and hopefully this “first” submission will not be my last. I have a few other stories to get into shape so I can get those out there, too.
Edit: Treischan Strength
Ending revised, story complete. Edited. Ready. Submission quality. I lack the proper words.
I’ll do a quick check tomorrow, make sure I didn’t make any silly typos, then print and head over to the post office. This will be my first short story submission in three years. It’s about damn time!
Tagged Editing, Treischan Strength
Artifacts & Relics
I started some research today using Google’s image search to try and locate some artifacts and relics for my short story, and wow am I amazed at the process an archeological dig has to go through and the issues they have to deal with once the project is moving forward. So, I found myself in Ancient Egypt again, I keep finding myself there whenever I do this kind of research. I need to find something new. Maybe I’ll go look up the Incahs and the Mayans tonight. Just so I stay out of Egypt. 🙂
Tagged Once A Thief, Research
Progress
Considering the level of exhaustion we experienced from our ultrapacked three day weekend, I’m surprised I accomplished anything at all. I was not in an editing mood and couldn’t get there no matter what I did (exahustion, I’m sure) so I started the new short story (urban fantasy, untitled) and started getting my submission package together for Treischan Strength. The final edit will start over my lunch tomorrow, and hopefully I’ll clean it up enough to mail on Tuesday.
How Swiftly Time Abandons Me
Time is not my friend. I need to harness it, maybe bottle it, and portion it out as I see fit. Actually, I do prioritize my tasks based on the time I have available, but it just doesn’t always fit into my imagined schedule.
I’ve been continuing the Sunguard edit. I tried to work on Once A Thief, but the character changed the rules on me as I got to know her, and the story is an entirely different idea than when I started. I’m keeping the old idea for future writing, and going with the new one this upcoming week. I completed a critique this week, and will try to do one more this next week.
Goals for this week are aggressive, but I’m giving it a shot. I have my priority items including a final edit and submission (Treischan!!!). We’ve had way too much fun with the holiday, so it’ll be nice to get back into a normal routine where writing fits into my preplanned schedule. 😀 Hope your week goes well!
Market Research
I used my lunchbreak to do some market research, focusing on anthologies this time. None of the listings on www.ralan.com really jumped out at my before, but I wanted to give myself a second chance. I looked at the themes based on what I’ve already written and what I’d like to write, but this time, I really looked at the themes.
I selected two based on partial writings I have saved. There’s a celtic anthology that I can use to help complete Nighthunter’s Bite, which I’ve been stumped on forever. There’s another one that didn’t have the theme listed on Ralan’s site, but which I discovered on the direct website specifying “radio” and “alternate worlds”. It reminded me of a scene I wrote for an exercise a few weeks ago, a scene I can now morph into a story. Both have December deadlines, so I have enough time to write the first drafts and edit them to my heart’s content.
My only fear with anthologies, is that everyone else will be writing these themed stories, and if mine doesn’t get accepted, then all those people will be sending their stories to the same markets as I will be. I suppose I can always tweak them to be different so they don’t look like antho-rejects. . .
That’s a lot to be worried about without the stories being written though, so I’ll add these little projects onto my August and September plans. Wish me luck!
Balancing
I’ve been working on multiple things since Sunday, not really getting too far with any of them. On the other hand, I’ve managed to regain control over the day-job workflow, and I think that (and the two year old) have consumed most of my energy. Oh, and the growing one, too. (Pats tummy).
Something drastic has to happen to Sunguard. I’m playing with the different scenes, but I still don’t have the right combination. The story concept is right, the characters are right, even the viewpoint is right, but it’s the sequence of presenting the events that’s bothering me. Backstory is fine, but in a short story, an entire page of backstory is too much. I generally try to avoid flashbacks unless the story truly needs it. This story either needs the flashback (groan) or I need to start earlier. But that means dragging my readers through an event akin to a meteor shower and hitting those same people once a month for three to four months. I think that’ll kill the interest in the character. Those events, those changes, lead to what Ashelle is dealing with now. I think the event isn’t so much the “meteor shower” but Ashelle’s interpretation of it. I don’t like my options right now. I feel like there’s another option, but at the moment, I can’t identify it. I’ll keep playing with it, I guess. It’ll hit me eventually.
June Results, July Goals
I know we have one more day left in June, but there’s no time in my schedule for writing tomorrow, so my June 2008 writing is as complete as it will ever be.
All in all, the month went quite well. The writing didn’t quite go in the places I decided exactly, but the amount of writing I did balanced out very well. My goals were to edit 1 – 2, of which I edited Treischan Strength twice, and am in the progress of editing two more. I wanted to write 2 short stories, and wrote 1 (Eve), with another one moving forward (Once A Thief). I took part in FM’s Emotion’s workshop, and signed up for an online advanced fiction writing class of which I already completed (or at least, turned in) the first assignment.
I’m stepping up July goals as my system seems to be working, but keeping each goal “area” light, so I don’t overhwelm myself with one task. This’ll allow me to be flexible in what I do, and where it can be done. I tried to leave some “extra” time in there, to deal with any inspiration that tends to hit me when my muse is tied up in multiple projects. The most exciting thing is getting Treischan Strength submitted. A new submission — yeah!!
My July goals are:
* New Submission: 1 (Treischan)
* Short Story Edits: 2 (Orchard, Sunguard)
* Short Story Writing: 1 (Thief)
* Crits: 2 (these are good for me!!!!!)
* Adv Fiction Class: 1 lesson
* FM Dialogue Workshop
* Reading: Tinker
Last year, I burned myself out by piling on too much work, specifically crits. When those pile up, I get stressed out. I also tend to take on too many “big” projects when I don’t have the time or energy for it. Sticking with the small ones – short storying writing and editing – should fix that.
I intend to keep my writing active through July and push into August. I want to break the cycle of hope/failure I’ve created for myself in the past. Now is the time. I’m going to do it.
Tagged Goals/Results
Editing Sungard
Something clicked or unblocked or woke up, not quite sure which one at the moment, but am half way through the Sunguard edit. Out of nowhere.
Maybe it’s my magic notebook? It told me to edit Sunguard tonight…
Other Sunguards
Interesting find today. I googled “Sunguard” to make sure no one else had recently published a short story by that name and came across a company named Sunguard with an interesting product. Would you use a laundry aid to put UV protection into your summer clothing? It requires a 15 minute soak and is good up to 20 washes. The company claims dermatologist recommended as well as approval from the Skin Cancer Foundation.
http://www.sunguardsunprotection.com/
It’s even affordable.
And for Star Wars fans — http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Thyrsus. Who knew?
Yes, my blog is more than about writing now I suppose…
Ever Elusive Time, Captured?
It’s interesting to me, that the less time I have available, the more I accomplish. For instance, until my daughter was a year old, her bedtime was 5:30pm, based on her needs for sleep. I had from 5:30pm to about 11pm every single night to fit in dinner making/cleanup, laundry, game playing, and writing. I even pushed it to midnight some nights. The writing got done sporadically, the game playing was too much fun, and dinner was eaten in peace every night. Over time, my daughter’s bedtime has moved up to about 7:30pm, and since I’m pregnant, I need to be in bed by 10pm. I give myself a half hour to read/unwind at that point, but it must be done in bed. So I went from five and a half hours every night to do these things, to about two and a half. And somehow, I’m managing better now.
Maybe it’s because we’ve managed a nice evening routine with the two year old where even if we have separate dinners, we’re all together for it. Meals tend to be gobbled down, and cleanup doesn’t always happen to completion. (Thank goodness for the dishwasher and a husband who knows how to use it!). By 8pm, I’m usually on the computer. That leaves two hours to enjoy my time, do some laundry, and prep for the next day. (Is it any wonder I haven’t done my nails in a few years?)
I have lists to thank. Yes, you read correctly, lists. I make a series of lists that keep me organized. No more too-tired-brain wondering what the heck I had to do. Now I look at my lists. There are three, really, that tie into each other. One is a Writing Goals (Monthly) list. Based on the time I predict I’ll have and what I feel most needs to get done, I make my writing goals on the front page of a notebook. The next pages follow with a Home list that lists home/finance/family related things that need to be done over the next month that isn’t part of the normal weekly chores. Then there’s the weekly page. One page for seven days of tasks. I break down 3 – 5 tasks for each day, a balance I hope of writing and home needs. At the end up the week, I tear out the weekly pages and make a new one.
My intention is to accomplish something writing related every day, however minor. This helps me do that. My notebook, by the way, goes everywhere with me. Whereever I am, I know what I need to fit into my day, so on those lucky days when someone else offers to pick up the two year old from daycare, I can complete an item on my list — early. 🙂 I feel almost sane!
So tell me. How do you stay organized?
When An Edit Isn’t An Edit
When is an edit not an edit? When it’s a complete rewrite. I think that’s my problem with Sunguard. I deleted the first three pages, wrote another two and a half, but I’m going to delete most of that. I’ll wait until I get the ending sorted out, then tie the beginning directly to that. In the meantime, I’m not happy with what I rewrote.
I’m right back at the original issue of viewpoint, too. Ashelle’s voice hits my fingers in the first person, and I’m forcing her back to third. (I type often before I realize what’s in my head). I don’t write first person well, but I don’t think Ashelle is giving me a choice this time.
I also think I’ve started the story in the wrong place. (Real interesting timing with the online advanced fiction course I’m taking through University of Madison. The first lesson is “Begin Someplace That Matters”.)
Since I’m rewriting this anyway, I’ll try the first person, see if I can’t do something decent with it. It may help to reread one of my viewpoint reference books. Maybe I’ll grab it on the way up to bed.
On the upside, I decided today I wanted to start sketching again. I don’t know where it came from, aside from sharing my beloved colored pencils with my two year old daughter.
Edit: Treischan Strength
Yes, again. I’m getting closer. Sending the story off for a sadistic crit. I’ll edit once more after that’s done, but then it’s going OUT THE DOOR. I promise you — better yet, I promise me!
Tagged Editing, Treischan Strength
Bookshelf: "Rebel Ice" S.L.Viehl
I’m currently reading “Rebel Ice” by S.L.Viehl. It’s the sixth in the Stardoc series, a heart-warming yet culture shocking, humorous at times, science fiction adventure that isn’t over-the-top science-in-your-face. She doesn’t write down to the reader either. The tech’s in there, the emotion’s in there, and this time, there’s snow. Lots of it. (With all the snow that fell this winter, I had to wait for summer to read this one, didn’t I?)
For anyone who hasn’t read any of the Stardoc novels, I have to warn you, they’re addicting. The main character, Cherijo, is a doctor with some family problems that turn intergalactic. Literally. If you’re going to read the series, start with “Stardoc”.
Interestingly enough, Viehl starts this novel with the point of view of a character we’ve never met in the previous books, in a strange world we’ve never even heard of, practicing customs I’d never imagined. I admit, I was a little concerned for the first few pages about being thrown into this world without Cherijio and her friends, but trust in Viehl won out. My favorites showed, each being tested in their own way around this planet of ice, each suffering, each tortured. And quite a punch at the end, I might add.
Here’s a link to Viehl’s blog which contains a fascinating combination of writing advice, general adivce, and Viehl’s interpretation of what makes the world go ’round. She gives stuff away too, which is always nice.
Tagged Bookshelf
Don’t Take Your Authors for Granted
My blog is about writing and very little else. It makes sense to me that since reading influences my writing, it should also influence my blog. It’s another way for me to support the authors I enjoy, and especially the authors who have influenced my writing, whether it be through their own writing, or direct contact with these normal everyday people who have their own issues and worries and loads of talent to bog all that down.
Never take for granted that your beloved authors will always be there. Writing is competetive. If their sales aren’t top notch, they won’t be getting new contracts. Don’t have time to read it all now? That’s fine. You know you love them, you’re going to buy the books anyway. Buy the books now and have them ready for when you want to pick them up.
My rule has always been to buy paperback rather than hardcover because I could purchase more books that way. I still have a hard time spending $25 or more on a hardcover and can’t wait for the day when Lotto picks my numbers and I can buy all hardcovers and show them off on an antique cherry bookcase. I’d rather help a little, all the way around.
I’ll share with you my current reading list, what I think you’ll like about the book, and link you to the author’s site in hopes you’ll check them out and support them too.
Tagged Bookshelf
Editing Galore!
I made a bunch of goals for myself this week, but I wonder if I didn’t overcommit. I put the Sunguard edit on the back burner to thnk some stuff over, but I think I’m ready to get back to it. I gave Treischan Strength another look at (with some comments from the Roving Crits boards on FM), and marked that up to be edited again. It’s in good shape, and should only take one night to work out the details. I’m just waiting for feedback from two other folks I emailed it to before I finalize it. (Either that or when the mood strikes). I’m also working on The Lonely Orchard which posed more of a problem because of backstory issues. I think I have those mostly worked out, so it’s just a matter of putting in the time and getting a few scenes rewritten.
The two year old’s birthday party is this weekend, so we have house-cleaning and party prep (and monthly bills) to get to this week. I’m hoping for a high energy week so I can keep up with my Wish List. 😉
Here goes nothing!
Edit: Treischan Strength
I took a quick break from Sunguard as editing a first draft can be overwhelming, and this one is taking so long it’s stressing me out. I pulled up a story — Treischan Strength–I wrote last May and edited last June, and reviewed the crits and comments I received on it. I made some changes, reviewed for basic editing, and the third draft is done. I’ve sent it out to some readers for feedback. I have a good feeling about this version, it’s very very close to submission-level writing, but I need some confirmation before I ship it off to my favorite zines.
Tagged Editing, Treischan Strength
Dawn Bonanno 