Finished

"One hasn't become a writer until one has distilled writing into a habit, and that habit has been forced into an obsession. Writing has to be an obsession. It has to be something as organic, physiological and psychological as speaking or sleeping or eating." --- Niyi Osundare

So ... those of you on Facebook know this, but I finally finished the first draft of "Now and Forever", the "Kitchen Matches" sequel. I'm relieved. It's been weighing on me and, to be honest, I probably shouldn't have taken the time because I'm SO backed up on other work (like six book videos I need to make), but it was like an itch ... and it kept getting worse and worse until it was almost painful, so I had to scratch it.

I'm going to give the first draft the once over and then send it to a couple of victims volunteers who've offered their eyeballs. Then... it's time to submit. Since Samhain "fired" me because it's been more than two years since I contracted anything with them, I no longer have an editor there and have to go back through the slush pile. Blech. Oh well... maybe that'll keep me writing so it doesn't happen again.

I'll be tackling the next sequel to "Kitchen Matches", currently titled "Drive Me Crazy" which is about half done already. Then? I have no idea what I'll work on (though there IS one more Weathers brother who is unattached).

My DD has finally decided she likes model horses. It was a passion of mine growing up, and even into adulthood. I collected them, I showed them, etc. I still have all my horses and dragged them out of DD to take a look at. They're shelved now -- they're old and pretty valuable because of their age and nearly perfect condition -- but I told her if she decides to show them, she can use mine, too. Her birthday is coming up and all she wants is horses and model horse stuff (jumps, barns, tack).

I wonder if she'll finally start reading all my horse books, too? Of course, at her age I also owned a real live horse, so I was probably a bit more crazy than she is!

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You Are Art

You are a vibrant person who can't help but leave a mark on the world. You want to create something amazing. Your dreams (and daydreams) are active and colorful. Anything and everything can be art for you. You are an active and impulsive person. You love to work with your hands and make beautiful things. You are easily inspired, and your flame burns brightly. You definitely have an artist's temperament.

What Elementary School Subject Are You?

:::shrugs::::

I never took art in school. I *wanted* to be an artist, but didn't have that special something that made what I did amazing. So I write instead. :-)

Wanted: The End

"A writer is somebody for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people."- Thomas Mann

I've been really frustrated lately with my inability to actually complete something I've written. It's partly due to the fact that my writing time isn't quite as abundant as it used to be, partly because I'm working on several projects, and partly because ON those projects, I'm working toward a specific word count -- longer than usual for me.

I told a friend yesterday that writing short is easy. The first 30,000 words? No problem. But after that, it's tough. For whatever reason, I don't always have enough story for more. I think I do have enough story for my fantasy, especially with the changes I need to make, so the only issue with that is just getting the words down. Geoff will have enough story, too, once I start writing in the heroine's POV (duh).

Still, I want something DONE.

So, I challenged myself to a writing contest. A short story of at least 7500 words by Friday morning. And, then another one of at least the same length by the end of the weekend.

They may be garbage, but my psyche needs to see "the end".

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Dakota did amazing in agility last night. She got over all her fears without telling me. Ran the entire course off leash (except for the weave poles -- they were new, and she didn't know what to do with them). She did the frame, the see-saw... everything!! Not even any hesitation. Amazing. I was utterly shocked. I have a sneaking suspicion we'll be moving into the advanced class when this one is over. Wow. She really loves agility. It's incredible.

There is one other couple in class with a Golden Retriever mix who has always been the best dog in class -- and now, she isn't. Last night, the handler grinned at me and then turned to her dog and said, "Now, you need to pay attention and do as well as--" (finger jab toward Dd) "show-off over there."

We have a good class of folks, and I really like them so would be sad to go away into another class, but I think it would be good for Dakota. Next stop: AKC Agility Championships!

LOL...

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You Are the Artist

You are unique and inspired. You aren't happy unless you are making art of some sort. Almost anything can be a catalyst for your creativity. You find the whole world stimulating. You have beautiful visions, and you're good at expressing them. You like people to see what you see. You also have an inventor's spirit. You're always thinking up new ideas and concepts.

What's Your Life's Mission?