Times They Are a-Changing

"Change is the law of life and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." — John F. Kennedy

I'm writing this on Wednesday night because I'm heading out the door early Thursday. We're going to the open house of a nearby private school to see if we want to enroll DD next year. Due to the dearth of good homeschooling groups and activities, we feel that it's probably best for her to attend school. We'd planned on starting her for high school regardless, but I'm thinking that starting her in eighth grade might be easier on her.

I did a drive by of the school today because we have to be at the open house so early, I didn't want to run the risk of getting lost. Good thing -- it wasn't where I thought it was exactly.

DD is scared and apprehensive about school since she's never gone. "How does the cafeteria work?" or "What do I do a recess?" or "What if no one talks to me?".

Hopefully the open house tomorrow will help with some of her fears. She doesn't realize how nervous I am, too. I've not had her out of my sight, except with good friends or at a relative's house, EVER her entire life. This will be a difficult life change for us both.

Now I just need to figure out how we'll fund this little change of plans. *sigh*

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I got through the first fifty pages of Camilla's story in edits. It was the easy part, not a lot of plot changes there. Now it's getting a bit stickier. I have to change the things her mom does and why, I have to incorporate Jed's new business, and slow down Matthew's infatuation. Lots of changes on the horizon, but the story is just so much fun (I'm giggling half the time... either the story is cute or I should go stay at the place with the padded walls) I'm not complaining about the editing too much.

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You Are a Jellyfish

You are a vulnerable person, but you also have a lot of inner strength. Sometimes you even surprise yourself. You are very honest and open. You have nothing to hide and resent it when people don't tell you the truth. You are illuminating and insightful. You understand and explain the world well. You are energizing and enthusiastic. You get people up and moving.

What Sea Animal Are You?

Hmmm, maybe 50/50...

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Decisions, Decisions

“Good writing is rewriting.” - Truman Capote

So ... I agonized all yesterday about my NaNo project. Is it better to get words down on a story that isn't working, just to get my "winner" badge and then have to either toss the entire thing and start over, or edit the H-E-Double-Toothpicks out of it later -or- is it better to set it aside and "moodle" over it awhile to figure out what's working, what isn't and how to make it right?

The clincher for me is this: I hate editing. HATE it with an all-consuming passion. I know it's a necessary evil, but I do my very best to have a relatively clean first draft with all the ducks in as straight a row as possible in order to do as little major editing as possible.

So, "A Jewel For Geoff" is once again shelved. It just wasn't working for me -- the characters didn't have chemistry, the conflict was weak, the plot was all over the place, I couldn't decide if Geoff's parents were dead or not and how that would change things, I couldn't decide if any of the girls had boyfriends, I couldn't decide... well, you get the idea.

It all began to feel like a royal waste of time, and time is simply the one thing I don't have any of to spare.

Instead, I'm rewriting a story (Camilla's story) that I actually have nearly finished and changing two things in the plot to make it work for me and building up the internal conflict between the H/H. I worked on it last night and again this morning, and I'm really excited about it. I like the story, the plot and the characters. I plan on having it done by the end of November -- can that count for NaNo? I'll need a couple folks with good editing eyes who like contemporary light-hearted romance to look it over for me (anyone?), but the plan is to submit to Harlequin American. By end of December.

Am I being unrealistic? I have no idea.

Following THAT, though, I want to get my fantasy done. ASAP.

And after that, I have big plans for "Return to Stiller Creek" which include completely changing "who dunnit" and making the story less reliant on DNA testing -- and, yes, I've figured out how to do that. And, I need to ramp up the suspense. That one I'd like to submit to Harlequin Romantic Suspense.

Hmmm....

Eventually I will return to "A Jewel for Geoff" and to the "Kitchen Matches" sequel. I think about them constantly, so something is going to click in my brain eventually. It always does on the ones that matter.

In other news, I think I have one manuscript that is history -- permanently shelved. That would be "Playing House". With the incredible leaps that technology has taken in the last five or six years, my premise won't work at all. I may recycle the characters though and try to give them a different story (at the very least, I want to use Minerva because I <3 her).

So many ideas, so little time. We won't talk about the other twenty or thirty started manuscripts I have on my hard drive.

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You Have a Wild Imagination

You can think or dream anything. You have very vivid and colorful thoughts. You have a refreshing and bold attitude. People can count on you to be honest. You are chill to the point of being a little lazy. It's hard for you to get motivated at times. You are a very thoughtful person. Even when you're resting, your mind is churning a bit.

The Bubble Bath Test

Except the "chill to the point of being lazy" part, this really fits.

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Chat Hangover

In its early stages, insomnia is almost an oasis in which those who have to think or suffer darkly take refuge. ~Colette


see more Lolcats and funny pictures

I have chat hangover.

We had SO much fun at the chat -- I've never had hours pass so quickly. But, holy moly, the craziness!

Then, last night when we were finally officially done, and I closed the computer and crawled to bed, I could NOT get to sleep. I laid there. And laid there. And laid there.

I thought about my WIPs...

Should I add the new character to Stiller Creek, and what do I really know about police departments and forensics and crime? Maybe I should just trash the whole thing? Maybe I shouldn't have the hero be a cop? Maybe the original bad guy shouldn't be bad... but then, how does that affect the ending?

Should I get back to writing "A Jewel for Geoff"? What if Geoff leaves the law firm where he works and goes out on his own? Then how would I include info about Liv? Would he do something like that? What if he quits law altogether and does something completely different? How would that impact the story?

In "Playing House", maybe I should change the story back to where my hero isn't engaged to someone else when the story starts. Maybe he should only be dating Audree. This story is actually finished, so do I really want to change an integral plot point and then have to completely rewrite the entire thing?

What about Camilla? Is there a way I can have Jed have to live in her place without wounding him, since that's what hangs me up?

And...

... for two hours I thought about this stuff. Mulled it over. Felt like I should get up and write things down. My brain was a ping-pong ball, all over the place.

Finally, though, I crashed. Yay.

And then woke up at 3 a.m.

Yes, really. I laid in bed for an hour, certain I would get back to sleep, but the brain was awake again and singing to me. Yes, I had a song in my head ("Who Says You Can't Go Home" by Jon Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles, and no I don't know why) and it repeated until I thought I'd scream.

I got up. It wasn't like I didn't have work to do.

But... dear heavens I am tired.

How was your weekend?

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Agility and Writing

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather. ~John Ruskin

So, Dakota has her first agility competition this weekend and last night in class she was NOT listening. She didn't make her contacts, refused to do the tire -- I hope it was because it rained all day and she had the wiggles. She's starting to listen to DD much better now, though, so I may let DD take Dakota on one of her two runs on Sunday. Haven't decided, and I haven't told DD yet but we'll see how it goes. Here's her best run from last night (and you get to see me makeup free... dear heavens).



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It's going to rain all day today, too. Whee... Still, we needed it, but GAH does it make it tough with the dog! I really need a treadmill for ALL of us. Bet my garden is happy. Maybe I'll brave the weather and take a look at it later on today.

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Have an idea for a short story I think I'm going to write and submit. Also, I worked on Camilla's story the past couple of days -- I'm changing a little about why Jed (the hero) is there and what the conflict will be for them. I need to up Camilla's need for roots, and increase Jed's footloose and fancy-free attitude for starters. This is the story with the rat, BTW, and I think I'll err on the side of caution and NOT include his POV. But, really ... I bet I can make each of you fall in love with him a little, even if you think you wouldn't. *G*

I haven't revisited this story in a long, long time and had forgotten how much I enjoyed it. With the changes I'm making in the "why" that has Jed there, I don't have to worry so much about his injury and that will make writing this a lot easier.

Maybe I can even get it finished and submitted soon... I hope so. I'm getting itchy.

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You Are Rain

You are dark and dramatic. You tend to be a bit over the top. You have strong emotions and they can change quickly. You are tempestuous. You are wild and unpredictable. You tend to overwhelm and surprise people. While you are aggressive, you are also a homebody. You don't really care for physical activities.

Are You Rain or Snow?

Dark and dramatic... yep, that's me! LOL...

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Weather and Writing

"Sit down to write what you have thought, and not to think about what you shall write." - William Cobbett

Was going to do the Monday Morning Meme, but one of the questions got me all fired up politically that I decided I'd better not. LOL...

It was supposed to snow last night. So far... no white stuff. But, it might be lurking. Waiting. Lulling me into a false sense of security. So, I'm not letting down my guard.

However, if none of the white stuff falls, I'll be heading outdoors to start the great spring clean-up of doggie doo. I try to pooper scoop during the winter, but it's just not possible to get it all. And because of the overwhelming amount of excrement left from the winter potty breaks, I try to do it slowly... taking each patch of grass as the snow melts. Otherwise, I might break down and cry.

On the "good news, spring might actually be coming" front: my crocus are beginning to stick their little green heads out of the dirt (I splurged this past fall and bought a bunch of large crocus bulbs -- I had a lot of bulb replacing to do after the attack from the Cunning Voles of Doom), and my chives and 'mums and seedum is all beginning to grow. Just a smidge... but, for someone (like me!) who is utterly fed up with winter, it's enough to make my heart sing for joy.

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Yesterday, I sent the first 26,000 words of my fantasy to Judy to peruse. She's a big fantasy fan, so I wanted to see if it passed the "big fantasy fan" test. And, as I took a look through the story, I fell in love all over again. I also had a great idea hit me upside the head on how to... well... I can't say, cuz it would give away a HUGE plot point in the story. Still, it was something that was bothering me, and now it's not.

On yet another writing front: the novel that wouldn't go away ("The Possibility of Forever" formerly "Camilla's Critters") also gave me a jab and told me how to fix one problem as well. That story has been frustrating me for a couple of reasons, and I've got one figured out now. Yay.

The subconscious is an amazing thing.

Also, "A Jewel for Geoff" has been a bit dead in the water. I wasn't happy with it, and couldn't figure out why until I realized two things: I'm not in the least bit attracted to Geoff (and if I don't fall in love with my hero, I can't realistically have my heroine do so, IMHO) and I haven't written anything in the heroine's POV. So... I've decided that my cover artist for "Liv" got it wrong, and I'm redesigning Geoff's looks (he's going to be bigger, stronger, better than before... though still blond) and I'm going to start letting the reader get to know my heroine, Emmy, better.

And, GAH, I just looked outside. It's snowing. SEE... I knew it was going to wait until I'd let down my guard a bit!!! BAD SNOW.

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You Are Stable and Cheerful

When You Are Comfortable: You are a hard worker. You need security and stability in your life, even if that means putting in long hours. People see you as solid and dependable. You are always able to see the good in situations. Other find this comforting. When You Are At Your Best: You are quite quirky, and you enjoy doing things your own way. You are optimistic, and you've always got a good idea brewing. People find you to be positive and uplifting. You make people feel good about themselves. When You Are in a Social Setting: You are philosophical and opinionated. You have quite a few pet causes, and you're always adopting a new one. People see you as clever and smart. You now a lot, and you love to talk about a variety of subjects.

What Do Your Initials Say About You?

Me? Opinionated? Quirky? Nah.......

Okay, I admit, this quiz actually came pretty close to nailing my personality. How weird is that?

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Outlining and My "Writing Process"

Without the playing with fantasy no creative work has ever yet come to birth. The debt we owe to the play of imagination is incalculable." — Carl Jung

First off... BSP:

My tour stop today is: The Long and the Short of It Romance Reviews -- I'm in the author spotlight. And I'm giving away a free download of any of my stories, including but not limited to, "One Love For Liv". Come on by!

My daily contest is here.

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Yesterday, I mentioned that I would have to "outline" my story about Camilla. Brandy expressed surprise that I don't typically outline and Dru asked me if it was the first time I've outlined a story.

Well, yes and no.

When I write a novel-length work (I qualify this, because I behave in a completely different manner for stories that are shorter) I consider the first draft an outline of a sort. Typically, I'll explore the characters before I start to write. I have several character "interviews" that I'll ask them (yes, really... you don't think the characters are their own people? Trust me, they are!) and see what happens. If I get stuck on something (one question was about any traumatic events in childhood... and I knew something had happened to Camilla, but I wasn't certain what it was) I'll write a scene about that and see what shows up on the paper (turns out as a pre-teen, Camilla witnessed three teenaged boys beating a cat, rescues it and it feeds the "nurturer" in her as well as causes her to choose the profession she's in).

After I feel I know my characters well enough to make them behave... well... in character, I'll brainstorm possible scenes. Sometimes I use writing prompts. Sometimes I use "dares" from the NaNo forum. Sometimes I use other writing books that ask things like "will their be a chance that your H/H will do X, Y and Z?" and consider that.

Once I've got at least 20 or so scenes, I sit down and write. And there begins all the things that throw wrenches into the system. No, wait... I didn't expect THAT to happen! No, wait... you don't have your first kiss there -or- conversely, what do you MEAN you don't want to kiss yet? You have to or else this next scene won't work.

I tried outlining once, during my first "real" writing class at WVU. One of the lessons tells you to make an outline. I struggled and sweated through an outline for "Playing House" and thought it was perfect. And then I sat down to write and my characters said, "No way, Jose."

The difference between outlining Camilla's story NOW as opposed to when I started was this: I'm essentially done with the work, and it probably won't change all that much. I'm just having some problems with timelines and need to get it all written down in front of me to see just how long I need to keep Jed bedridden to work in the story. I have the last 15,000 words (or so) to write, but they're already loosely in my brain... which means "outlining" may not be the right word for me to have used yesterday.

And, wow... that was long-winded!

To all you writers out there... what about YOU? Plotter? Pantser? Somewhere in between (like me?).

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Jen had nice words to say about "One Love For Liv" on her blog yesterday. Go see!

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You Are Black Pepper

You may be considered ordinary by some, but you're far from boring. You elevate the mood of any discussion, and people miss you when you're not around. You are secretly very dominant and powerful. Most can only take you in small doses.

What Spice Are You?

Dang... I wanted to be basil like Charity...

Blog Parties and Lady Bugs

It is better to be hated for who you are, than to be loved for someone you are not. - Andre Gide

First off... BSP:

My tour stop today is: The Long and the Short of It Romance Reviews -- I'm in the author spotlight. And I'm giving away a free download of any of my stories, including but not limited to, "One Love For Liv". Come on by!

My daily contest is here.

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It rained all day yesterday. It was WARM -- almost 50 degrees. We had the screen door opened... man, I love me some fresh air.

There was, however, one not so good result from all this warmth, though... a mass influx of lady bugs. Dozens of the little buggers came out from where ever they were hanging out for the winter, and then had issues because of all the water. My DD refused to let them die, so we spent the day collecting lady bugs and then looking online about how to keep them alive sans aphids. Ladybug Lady said to soak raisins and put them in with the bugs. Huh. Well, at this point, I'm game to try anything.

So, we soaked about five raisins in water and then put them into the container. In a matter of seconds, the bits of soggy fruit were positively covered with lady bugs!! Wow!

I have no idea how long they can survive on raisins. If it's sunny and warm tomorrow, we'll let them go... if not, we'll hold on to them until it IS sunny and warm, or until they die.

So, here I am, raising bugs inside again. **sigh**

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You know what the worst part of having books out for sale? Not knowing how well they're selling... I wish there was some way to install a "stat counter" to tell me each time a copy of "One Love For Liv" was sold. Thankfully, Samhain does royalties monthly, instead of quarterly like The Wild Rose Press, so I won't have to wait that long.

Patience is not my middle name. Or even my nick name.

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During the week of March 7-14th, the blogosphere will be party hopping - jumping through our Mr. Linky list of participating bloggers, meeting new friends and partying blogger-style at the Ultimate Blog Party 2008, at 5 Minutes for Mom.

That's where I'll be that week... want to join me?

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So, I'd decided on shortening Jed's injury time in my "Camilla" story to two weeks... but now that's not going to work either. I'm so frustrated. I'm afraid I'm going to have to actually sit down and... **gasp**!... OUTLINE.

(((faints dead away)))

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You Should Visit Mexico

You can be as comfortable as you want, eating fast food and partying with English speakers in resort town. But if you're feeling brave, venture out to Mexico City - or explore the tropical Yucatan.

What Latin American Country Should You Visit?

Book Meme

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. — Herm Albright

First off... blatant self promotion:

My tour stop today is: The Bandwagon.

My daily contest is here.

:-)

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Turns out that not only did Charity over at Writing Wrongs use Liv as part of a book meme, but she also tagged me, despite my memo-fast.

Since she used my book for her meme, how could I say no?

Is it cheating if I use my WIP for this, because it IS the closest book to me right now.

The rules?

1). Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages)
2). Open the book to page 123
3). Find the fifth sentence
4). Post the next three sentences
5). Tag five people

Okay... From "The Possibility of Forever" (aka Camilla's Critters):

Pg 123, sentences six thru nine -- ooh... I couldn't have picked a better part if I'd tried!

Camilla dropped her head into her hands. She was a grown woman, damn it all, she could have knock down, drag out sex on her kitchen table if she wanted. There was no reason to feel as if she’d been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

Tee. Hee.

Okay -- time to tag: Brandy, Tori, Melissa, Sarita, and Dru.

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I worked on Camilla's story yesterday for almost two hours... it was wonderful. Now, though, I think I remembered something else that stumped me -- I need an injury bad enough to keep a man bedridden for a week or so, but not longer than that. Botheration...

Still, I really do enjoy this book and want to get it done!! I have 44,000 words and need at least 55,000 (preferable 65,000), so we'll see what happens once I've done the readthrough/edit that I'm working on now.

Then, I'll go back through and do a search for "it" and change them so that my editor won't have to. That always adds words, too! LOL... is that cheating?

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Poor Dakota is supposed be kept from too much activity while she heals from her spay, so we haven't been walking her or playing with her, and have tried to keep her calm. But every now and then she just can't keep it in and starts tearing around the house at top speed and there is NO stopping her. It's so funny, I'll laugh 'til I cry, until I realize she might be tearing out her stitches. Then I'll sit on the floor or the couch and wait for her to jump on me, which typically doesn't take too long. Then I just hold her until the wiggles go away. "Just hold her" sounds easy, right? Ha. Try holding a bundle of energy with four legs, teeth and claws.

The doc said ten days. I'm hoping we can make it seven...

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You think it's cold there? Here, even our faux Old Man Of the Mountain needs earmuffs...



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Today's random quiz:

You Should Play the Guitar

You're very independent - both in spirit and in the way you learn. You can teach yourself almost anything, even if it makes your fingers bleed. You're not really the type to sit patiently through a music lesson - or do things by the book. It's more your style to master the fundamentals and see where they take you. Highly creative and a bit eclectic, you need a wide range of music to play. You could emerge as a sensitive songwriter... or a manic rock star. Your dominant personality characteristic: being rebellious Your secondary personality characteristic: tenacity

What Musical Instrument Should You Play?

It's Valentines Day

The course of human history is determined, not by what happens in the skies, but what takes place in our hearts. -- Sir Arthur Keith

BSP:

My tour stop today is: Welcome To My World of Dreams.

My daily contest is here.

:-)

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So, it's Valentines Day. Huh.

For me, it's really just another day. I'm, very possibly, the least romantic romance author you will ever meet. Years ago I dated a man who was terribly romantic. I'd open the door for my morning paper, and find a hand written poem and a rose waiting on my stoop. He'd plan marvelously creative and interesting days to spend together. I must have frustrated him terribly because I never really reciprocated in any clever way.

My DH is also a non-romantic. His co-workers think he's terribly lucky because he doesn't have to buy me two-carat diamond earrings or take me out for a fancy dinner on Valentines Day. DH says he loves me the same every day, why should he have to have a special day to show me that?

I don't disagree with him.

So, happy Valentines Day to those of you who ARE romantics at heart. I'll spend my day writing about two people falling in love. Now THAT is romantic.

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Yesterday didn't quite work out as planned. No soup, salad and breadsticks at Olive Garden because my other neighbor told me that she wasn't able, after all, to take me to the airport.

This created a bit of difficulty for me, and really made my day ... not so good. My poor neighbors (who sat in the plane on the tarmack for four hours waiting for the weather to clear) trusted me to get their car and the person I'd relied on changed their mind at the last minute. Thankfully, my SIL came through and took me when she got off work.

We won't talk about how much short term parking costs when you stay there all day.

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So, I'm working on TWO projects. I do love my mystery, but it's not very "light" and I need light, so I've pulled out Camilla's story, too. I'm having a lot of fun going through that one, AND I've figured something out with it--something that had really been blocking me from being able to finish it. Yay!

Here's the collage for Camilla, if you're interested:



In any case, it does feel good to write. Wish I was doing more!

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Today's random quiz:

Your True Love's Name Is

James K.

What's Your True Love's Name?

YIKES! Don't tell my husband...

It's My Party...

Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional. ~Chili Davis

So the general consensus is: You like to hear me gab. I can do that! :-)

Look what I found in my inbox today: The Cleaning Hunk (thanks, Judy!). Now, if only I could teleport him here, I'd be all set for my birthday. She also sent me an Amazon.com gift certificate (Judy, you really didn't need to do that...) to help me celebrate (with BOOKS--it doesn't get any better than that). My mom sent me a B&N gift certificate... yep, these are the folks who know me best!

So, today at about 2:00 p.m., I turn 41. Holy tamale, how did THAT happen? Do you ever look in the mirror and think, where'd that old lady come from? I always expect to see the me from 20 years ago. It's the strangest thing.

I won't be doing much today because we're expecting sleet. Is there anything grosser than sleet, weather-wise (I add that qualifier, because I had a sick puppy yesterday with goo coming out both ends, so I know FIRST-HAND that there are things grosser than sleet)? IMHO, if there is precipitation, it should be rain or snow. Period.

In any case, my plans for today are to read, write and nap. Good goals, all, don't you think?

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So, I sent Judy the first 16,000 words of the fantasy I was working on for NaNoWriMo to see if it has legs. I'm nervous. Will it stink?

And, "Kitchen Matches". Hmmm... I just don't know what to do with this one. I haven't heard back from an editor I emailed regarding proper line placement. Should I look for a home elsewhere? I love this story and, despite the first editor's scathing rejection, I think it deserves its day in the sun. I've changed quite a bit, added quite a bit and am still adding a little each day. We'll see how it goes. I'm trying to be patient.

I'm re-reading "The Possibility of Forever" (formerly "Camilla's Critters" for those of you who've been around since her beginning) and trying to figure out how I want it to end. This is the first novel I've ever written where I didn't have the ending done first. I wonder if that means something? I'd like to get it completed and polished up by mid-March. We'll see how that goes.

And I'm still brainstorming my category novel, working title "The Hammer" (don't ask). I have what I think is a cool conflict set up. Now I just need to get to know my characters a bit better.

That's probably enough to be working on for now, but I still may dust off my mystery "Stiller Creek" and see if I can't get that one done -- I do have the ending written on that one. I just need to get them there.

So many ideas, so little time.

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Your Daily Dakota (no, I didn't take pictures of poor, sick puppy yesterday):

"What's this?"



"Ooh... snacks!" ((slurp, slurp))



Yep, can't keep her away from the dishwasher, the little brat. **sigh**

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Next Wednesday, January 16, the Long and the Short Of It's public Yahoo group will be having their very first author chat! Liana Laverentz, winner of the 2007 Golden Leaf Award and finalist in the LASR Best Romance of 2007 award and the EPPIE award. Liana will be interviewed at The Long and the Short of It on Tuesday, January 15th and then will be at the Yahoo group the next day for a Q'n'A session with our members. If you aren't already a member, join up! You don't want to miss this chance. And then think up some questions for Liana and be there next Wednesday to welcome her to the group.

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Your Birthdate: January 11

Spiritual and thoughtful, you tend to take a step back from the world. You're very sensitive to what's going on around you, yet you remain calm. Although you are brilliant, it may take you a while to find your niche. Your creativity is supreme, but it sometimes makes it hard for you to get things done. Your strength: Your inner peace Your weakness: You get stuck in the clouds Your power color: Emerald Your power symbol: Leaf Your power month: November

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

My strength is my INNER PEACE? ((falls off chair laughing))