I thought I’d create an entry that didn’t evoke so much thought. *g* I’m currently waiting for my UPS guy to come. I just got back from the gym and I’m in desperate need of a shower, but I know the second I step under that spray the doorbell will ring. So until he arrives, I’ll just sit here and fester.
I’ve edited the first hundred and thirty something pages of my manuscript. I’m going to read through it today and then send it off for an outside opinion before I go any further. Atlantean’s Quest Book 4: The Return arrived in my inbox the other day. I need to print it out and edit it sometime over the next week. And my critique partner should be sending me my historical vampire/gargoyle on Saturday. Face meet desk.
What are you all keeping busy with?
Archive for December, 2005
Is it me or are the television seasons getting shorter. I mean it seems like Supernatural just started and the season is already over. Shows are getting cancelled left and right. I can’t figure out what’s left out there because I’ve been taping everything and not watching it. I am enjoying the mini-series called the Triangle. It’s not great, but it is entertaining. (I should preface this by saying I was strangely obsessed with the Bermuda Triangle when I was a kid.) I still have issues with flying over it. (Remember sanity is optional in a author.) Where am I going with all of this? Nowhere really. 
I was speaking with some writer friends of mine, who allow me to bellyache to them. Once again, I find myself dissatisfied with my career. It’s not only off track, it’s not even on a trail. So I’ve had to ask myself some hard questions like: Where do you want to go? Who do you want to write for? What would you be happy writing? You get the picture.
What brought this up was that I realized I have several books published, but I do not have a writing career per se. Now that might not seem like such a big distinction to some, but it is to me. You can build a career. You can’t build several published books. I am grateful that I’m still able to sell my work, but this ‘method’ of writing will not help me achieve my goals.
I’m not saying I plan to write to market. That’s too much work. BUT, I do need to pick something and stick with it for a while. I’m not bummed out about this discovery, but it is a tad disheartening.
Do you have a burgeoning career or do you have books that you’ve written?
Went to brunch with a dear friend of mine today before shoring up my courage to go to the mall. I bludgeoned my way through the parking lot only to find that one of the items I wanted wasn’t in stock and the other was no longer available.
What has this taught me? I will no longer shop in the stores over the holidays. It’s online for this girl all the way. It’s just not worth the headache. I have six people left and they’re all getting gifts that way.
Edit update. I’ve managed to edit 100 pages so far. I definitely have issues with chapter two and I’m worried that the love scene comes too soon, but other than that, it’s okay.
It’s at times like these that I wish I were more familiar with the Blaze line. I’ve read a few, but not enough to have a good idea how they flow. (shaking head) The boot mark on my butt is from me.
I’m off to workout this morning. I’ll probably pick up some dinner on the way home. Don’t want to starve dh. I have a chat scheduled tonight at Writerspace at 8:00pm est. There are a lot of EC’s authors showing up and prizes will be given out.
Today, I begin edits on Revenge of the Sky Goddess. I’m going to head over to PBW’s site and re-read her advice on edits one more time. I have my highlighter and my red pen ready. I just can’t remember if she actually stops and makes changes the first time through or just highlights. (Hence, the need to re-read the advice.:)
I finished some of my holiday shopping. I still have a tremendous amount to do. I think I’m going to try to get that done this week. Perhaps tomorrow early, so I can come back and edit the rest of the day.
What are your plans? Working or playing this week? If you’re playing, can I live vicariously through you? 
Dh and I went out for a meal tonight to a restaurant we recently discovered. They’d changed the menu, which was a bit of a drag, but the food was still exceptional. Yes, we’re big foodies. Hence the need to join a gym. *g*
Beforehand, I’d worked on edits for my two potential ebooks. I added a scene that I’d toyed with after I finished the first round of edits. It’s pretty gruesome. A murder occurs during sex. Why didn’t I put it in there to begin with? That question actually bugged me for weeks. I realized that as a writer I pull my punches. That’s not something I’m proud of, but it is the truth. I am actively working on the problem. I truly want to be an honest writer like Stephen King describes in his book ‘On Writing’.
It bothers me that I rarely am…unless I’m working on one of my paranormal ST’s. When I work on a straigtht romance, I think about whether I’m going to upset a reader with a scene. Hell, I think about whether I’m going to upset a reader with my blog. Do I want to be liked by everyone? No. I know that’s in no way realistic. So why don’t I write what I want? Good question. One that I’ve started to change my behavior on, but I still have a long, long way to go.
Do you tell the truth or do you pull your punches?
I finally finished all my X-mas cards. If I forgot anyone, I’m sorry. My shoulder cramped from sitting in one place for so long. Not pretty.
Today I’m going to see Aeon Flux. I have no idea what the movie is actually about, but I love Charlize Theron and sci-fi action flicks. Afterwards, I’ll probably come back home and re-edit one of my stories and put up X-mas lights. (We have plans for later in the evening.) I’d like to go through my two e-pub submissions one more time before I submit them. I want them out of the way when I start on Revenge of the Sky Goddess edits.
I want to send special birthday wishes out to Tina Gerow. She’s a wonderful woman, who has a terrific sense of humor. Stop by and check out her blog and website. I just bought her book, Stone Maiden, which is available in paperback and ebook from Triskelion Publishing. I can’t wait to read it. Happy Birthday, Tina!
On Monday at 8 est, I’ll be doing a chat at Writerspace with other EC authors. There will be lots of giveaways and fun had by all. Stop by if you get the chance.
What is everyone up to this weekend?
Today is the first day of December. Can you believe it? This year has flown by. I’m sitting here gaping at the calendar. Today is also my nephew’s first birthday. Happy Birthday, little man. We love you!
I plan to finish filling out my X-mas cards today by hook or crook. I’ve been working on these things for three days now and I don’t feel any closer to completion. Grr… Going to have to figure out something else next year.
Earlier this year, we talked about accomplishments. I know that until these last few months I hadn’t felt like I got much done in 2005. Now, I’m feeling a little better about the year. Not only because of the HQ contest win, but because I finished three manuscripts in the last three and a half months. That brings my total for the year to four completed WIP’s. All that’s left are the edits.
I started thinking about the ‘things’ that have plagued me this year. Branding has been a big one. I am no closer to having a brand in Dec., than I was in Jan. 2005. This really bothers me, but I’m aware it’s my own fault. I haven’t exactly tried to build my name in any particular genre.
Jo mentioned picking one thing to concentrate on in the coming year. She said she’s had a lot of success when she’s done this because all the focus is on that one thing. I think I’m going to pick two for next year. One to directly benefit my writing and the other to benefit my career. For my writing, I’ve chosen to concentrate on ‘description’. I need to become a lot better at adding description into my work. For my career, you guessed it, I’m concentrating on branding.
What are you concentrating on next year?
