I’ve only managed to write a little this weekend. I think it’s because I’ve been trying to do too many things at once. We found a program to redo my website, so I’m going to play with it today to see if I can manage it without dh’s help. (Okay, without much help. *g*) You’d never know that I’ve taken several web design classes. Dropping head in shame.
Today, I also plan to type in the changes I made to the chapter I wrote on Wednesday. I think I’ve made it better and hotter, since it contains my first love scene. Once I get it done I’m going to attempt to finish the next chapter. I started it yesterday, but didn’t get very far. It’s an ODD chapter that incorporates voyeurism and murder. Like I said many moons ago, this book is a departure for me. *ggg*
The Romantic Times Convention ends today. Hopefully everyone had a terrific time. I think my word count for the week is going to be 10K+. How did everyone else do?
Archive for May, 2006
I’ve done the math and it ain’t pretty. Luckily, I’ve written enough this week to make up for yesterday, but it in no way gets me closer to reaching my goal of three hundred pages by the weekend. Today will have to be a MONDO writing day…right after I take a nap. Hope you all had a better writing day than I did.
I really enjoyed the chat yesterday. The lists were quiet with everyone out of town, but that was kind of nice. Gave away several books, so hopefully I’ll gain a few new readers. The ladies made me feel very welcome. I will have to do that again, when I don’t have a book to finish. *g*
Dh and I were up late (for us) putting together the office. Let’s just say 5:00am came early this morning. Ugh. We’re back from boot camp and still have a few more things to do to the room, but it’s coming together. There’s definitely going to be more space than we had before.
I haven’t watched CSI NY or CSI Vegas yet. I’ve heard the latter left a lot of questions unanswered. They’re all coming back, so I suppose we’ll know soon enough. Have I mentioned that Supernatural is coming back? Okay, I know I have, but it’s worth saying again. 
I should’ve mentioned it yesterday, but I’m not organized enough to do that. *ggg* Today, I’m chatting on the EC reader’s loop, trying to finish rearranging my office, and attempting to get my word count in for the day. LOL!
I did managed another 2K last night. I’m going to try to hit three hundred pages by the end of the weekend. I have forty pages to go. 
If I accomplish this, then I’ll only have 60 pages left! I’m thinking that if I can keep up this pace I may have the book finished my Memorial Day weekend.
How is everyone doing?
Yesterday, I was smokin’ with the writing. I managed to finish 4K or 22 and a half pages. Woo Hoo! I’m over halfway through chapter 16 and hit page 250. I plan to finish the rest of the chapter today.
I also have a new desk coming. I was hoping it would give me more work top space, but I’m not sure that’s going to happen, since my computer will have to sit on top. (It doesn’t have a drawer to hold the computer.) We’ll have to wait and see. Dh and I are rearranging the office, so that it’s cleaner lined. Exciting, I know. *g*
I officially have four more days of fitness boot camp now that I finished this morning’s workout. It was good, but it’s definitely tough. It’s been a long time since I ran laps. College to be exact. We won’t talk about how long ago that was. LOL!
Sent my application into Novelist Inc. I have no idea if they’re going to allow me to join. Apparently, the entire membership decides. I guess if anyone is against your application, then you’re out. :-O Scary odds that. Oh well, I’ll just have to wait and see.
Speaking of ’seeing’, did anyone watch the finale of NCIS last night? WOW! I sure didn’t see that one coming. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but in my gut I feel that he will return. I’m just not sure what it’s going to take to get him back.
Strictly for fun.
Okay, it’s confession time. How is everyone doing with the writing?
Well today everyone who’s signed up for the Romantic Times Convention is off for the conference. They’ll experience five days of sun, sand, ocean, and parties. Sigh. It’s hard being left behind. I must say I’m a tad jealous, but to be honest, I can’t afford to go right now. Financially I could swing it, but time wise forget about it. I need this full week to devote to my book.
So with that in mind, I’m going to post yesterday’s results. My goal was to write 12 pages (That’s the 5 days a week pace I set in order to finish the book by the end of this month. If I write Saturday’s too, then it’ll drop my daily page count some.). I ended up writing 14 pages yesterday after an extremely late start, so I was very happy with the results. Technically, that means I only have to write ten pages today. See how that works? :)I’m beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel with this manuscript, so the chapters are speeding up in both the pacing and the writing. It’s a nice change compared to the first thirteen.
So it’s time to fess up. How did you all do yesterday?
It’s really not manic, but I do have that song running through my head. *g* Does anyone else out there think Oprah is starting to lose it? (Left field, I know.) What is it with celebrities lately? And yes, I realize that a lot of celebrities behave oddly. I think anyone would in their circumstances. At the least, you’d be paranoid and rightly so. At the worst, well, we all know who the poster boy is for weird behavior. :-O
Anyhoo, I caught this clip about Oprah the other day on ET. (Nothing but high-class television for this girl.;) Her friend, Gayle was talking about Oprah gaining weight on a diet of mash potatoes. Shocker. Apparently, the treadmill at the place she was staying was not up to her standards. Okayyyy…
Now I knew O was out of touch with the people when I caught an episode of her show where they took her into Walmart. She’d never ‘heard’ of the place and kept commenting about how she was charged ten times the price for similar goods. Blink. Blink. Blink. She seemed genuinely amazed that places like that existed. I kept expecting someone to walk up to her and ask her how much a gallon of milk costs. :/ Now please don’t take these observations as a slap against O. I do think she’s a truly generous woman who has done a tremendous amount of good for a lot of people. I just think it’s kind of sad that she’s so out of touch with the people she’s trying to help.
I do understand that once you reach a certain level of wealth that you stop doing the everyday things that most people do like grocery shopping, etc. I’m okay with that. Really I am. I can be as ‘Frasier & Niles’ as the next person, perhaps more so. The thing that freaks me out is losing all touch with what’s happening in the world around you. I hope that if I ever attain a ‘comfortable’ level of wealth that I never lose touch with the average man. I may not drink milk, but I damn well want to know how much it costs. Stepping off my soapbox now. *g*
Today’s workout kicked my butt. I’m serious. I know tomorrow I’ll be feeling it big time. Can you say tricep dips and lots of them?:( Only five more classes to go!!!
This week will be a busy one. I have my pages to hit. Tuesday, I’m meeting a friend for brunch. My new desk will be delivered on Wednesday. And Thursday, I’m list mom on the EC chat loop. That said, it should be relatively quiet on the loops because most people are heading off to RT tomorrow.
If you aren’t going to the Romantic Times Convention, would you be up for a book in a week challenge starting today? Let me know.
First off, I want to wish Mom and Mum a very Happy Mother’s Day. Love you both!
This weekend we’re off to have dinner with friends. It should be very nice as always. I had a decent day of writing. Finished the chapters I wanted. May go see Poseidon tomorrow, not sure. It’s Mother’s Day so the theaters might be super busy.
I think I’ll write again tomorrow. I’m feeling in the ‘mood’ now that I figured out that I only have to write 12 pages a day/five days a week until May 31st to finish this book. YAH!!! The end is in sight.
Finished boot camp class this morning and realized I only have six more to go. YAH!!! No, I’m not counting. 
It was actually a nice workout. I really like the substitute a lot. Wish she were the morning instructor. I’d be tempted to sign up for another month, if that were the case. Yes, I know that’s crazy talk. I’ll slap myself now for even thinking about it. *g*
I have a massage in a few hours, so I’m going to try to get some writing in beforehand. Discovered something last night when I was taking more notes for my current manuscript. There’s only going to be one love scene in this book. I’d planned for two, but as I was scribbling on the paper I realized that the love scene I’d intended for the chapter ending was out of place. I have one other love scene planned, so it looks like that’ll be it for the book. :-/
I hope to have news on my Phantom Warriors’ books soon. I’ll make an announcement when I do. Other than that, it’s Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, off to work I go. 
As a complete aside, if anyone has seen the latest Poseidon Adventure, let me know what you thought of it. I’m debating whether to go see it. Also, let me know if you’ve read any good e-books. I’ve been reading a lot of them lately. Next up is Celeste Anwar’s Utter Domination. I’ve liked quite a few of her vamp books, so I’m looking forward to reading this one.
Just read a rumor that Supernatural has been renewed for next year. If it’s true then YAH!!!!!! Snoopy Dancing around the room.
I rose after finally getting enough sleep and imbibed in some coffee and toast. Afterwards, I ran a bath to try to soak some of the discomfort out of my knee. (The squats from fitness boot camp caught up to me on Tuesday.) Two hours later and one Romantic Times Magazine finished, I exited the tub…in time for lunch. (wg) You see where I’m going here, don’t you? *ggg* I had lunch in the living room, while watching CSI NY and the Ghost Hunter episodes that I’d taped. Now, I’m sitting at my machine writing up this article. To be fair, I have started editing the chapter I left off yesterday afternoon. As soon as I finish, I’m going to take my Neo into the kitchen to type the rest out. If you’re having trouble trying to figure out how to waste a day, drop me a line. I’d be more than happy to help.
So what’s your favorite way to waste a day?
There was a very interesting article called Surviving Setbacks in the RWR (Romance Writer’s Report) this month. Sheila Rabe talked about what to do when your career veers off track. The thing I found interesting is that some of the tips the writer shared could apply to genre changing too (ie change names, create a new website, go the library and grab books you wouldn’t normally read to see if they resonate with you, etc.). She talked about reinventing yourself and used Cher as an example. For some reason, it made more sense to me that way. Probably the pop culture slut in me coming out. *g*
I’ve been giving all these things a lot of thought because of my latest manuscripts. They aren’t fitting neatly into the romance ‘check box’. I’ve been wondering if I’ll have to separate these new books from my other work. I’m okay with that, but it’ll require a bit of planning.
Other than that, not much happening. I’m off to the coffee shop to write, so that I don’t lay down and take a nap. Eight more boot camp classes to go. Today, we had a substitute instructor. I actually liked her. She kept the pep to a minimum and took us through a completely different workout. It was a nice change. Hope everyone’s week is productive. Feel free to talk amongst yourselves. *g*
