Wordcount 10/31: 366
Happy Halloween!
Lots of cute kids tonight with their adorable costumes. Even some parents dressed up! The big hit of the evening were the gummy eye balls. Yes, that's right, gummy eyeballs. I bought a big bag of them at Costco. The trick-or-treaters, after seeing the bowl full of staring eyes, all begged me to drop one in their bags. I obliged. Plus a bunch of other sugary confections that I don't want hanging around in my pantry after tonight.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Wordcount 10/30: 2357
Bwaahaha! At the rate I'm going, if I keep it up, I'll have this book finished by the end of November. Woo hoo! But that would just be the first draft. Though I edit as I go, there's lots of work left to do after I type the end. Still, it's exciting. I didn't think I'd manage more than 750 words a day, but since work at the day job has slowed down somewhat (2 new design projects came in today), I really can manage to write more than that.
Best of all, though, I'm having fun. This book is coming together much faster than the last one, which tells me the last one had some plot problems. I knew it, but I was in denial. I'm a very determined soul, and that can be to my detriment at times. This book, however, is flying from my fingertips and I'm absolutely loving it.
I'm a semi-plotter, meaning I have a general idea of how the story will lay out, and I have good grasp on the main characters. But each scene I write is organic, linking one to the other, and I'm always surprised by the new twists that arise as a result. This being my seventh book, I focus less on technical issues of craft as they've become automatic, and focus more on tapping in to my creativity. It's amazingly liberating.
I've recognized a technique I've been using for planning out my scenes. I plan them as I write them, always focusing on the viewpoint character's goal to steer how the rest of the scene will play out. I've discovered that if I visualize the goal being a success before writing the scene, it's easier to make the character fail, and fail hard. Suffering characters is, after all, the joy of writing fiction. And we do love to torture our story people. (rubs hands together with evil glee)
Bwaahaha! At the rate I'm going, if I keep it up, I'll have this book finished by the end of November. Woo hoo! But that would just be the first draft. Though I edit as I go, there's lots of work left to do after I type the end. Still, it's exciting. I didn't think I'd manage more than 750 words a day, but since work at the day job has slowed down somewhat (2 new design projects came in today), I really can manage to write more than that.
Best of all, though, I'm having fun. This book is coming together much faster than the last one, which tells me the last one had some plot problems. I knew it, but I was in denial. I'm a very determined soul, and that can be to my detriment at times. This book, however, is flying from my fingertips and I'm absolutely loving it.
I'm a semi-plotter, meaning I have a general idea of how the story will lay out, and I have good grasp on the main characters. But each scene I write is organic, linking one to the other, and I'm always surprised by the new twists that arise as a result. This being my seventh book, I focus less on technical issues of craft as they've become automatic, and focus more on tapping in to my creativity. It's amazingly liberating.
I've recognized a technique I've been using for planning out my scenes. I plan them as I write them, always focusing on the viewpoint character's goal to steer how the rest of the scene will play out. I've discovered that if I visualize the goal being a success before writing the scene, it's easier to make the character fail, and fail hard. Suffering characters is, after all, the joy of writing fiction. And we do love to torture our story people. (rubs hands together with evil glee)
Monday, October 29, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Today's worcount: 215
Pitiful, I know. But I can't concentrate. The house is too noisy today, I've been working (yeah, on a Sunday, and it sucks), and though the words are there in my head, I just can't get them onto the page. Too many distractions.
So with the Broncos blaring in the background, I'm managing to post to this blog -- barely. Ugh. I have a headache.
Pitiful, I know. But I can't concentrate. The house is too noisy today, I've been working (yeah, on a Sunday, and it sucks), and though the words are there in my head, I just can't get them onto the page. Too many distractions.
So with the Broncos blaring in the background, I'm managing to post to this blog -- barely. Ugh. I have a headache.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Today's Wordcount: 1104
How about five more little known facts about me to take up some blog space? Heh.
6. Still on the subject of parachute jumps, I landed in the middle of a highway once, but there was practically no traffic. Especially after a few people stopped their cars by the side of the road to get out their cameras.
7. My chute and I landed on a very narrow strip of beach. It was either that, or the ocean. The guy I jumped with landed there. He was fine, just very wet.
8. The wind shifted and blew my chute and I to a cow pasture. No bulls present, thank goodness, because a good portion of my parachute was red.
9. Okay, nuff about sky diving. I was a cheerleader in high school. Big woof, huh?
10. I played a lot of sports in high school, too. Volleyball was my least favorite, then basketball, but track was the most fun of all.
How about five more little known facts about me to take up some blog space? Heh.
6. Still on the subject of parachute jumps, I landed in the middle of a highway once, but there was practically no traffic. Especially after a few people stopped their cars by the side of the road to get out their cameras.
7. My chute and I landed on a very narrow strip of beach. It was either that, or the ocean. The guy I jumped with landed there. He was fine, just very wet.
8. The wind shifted and blew my chute and I to a cow pasture. No bulls present, thank goodness, because a good portion of my parachute was red.
9. Okay, nuff about sky diving. I was a cheerleader in high school. Big woof, huh?
10. I played a lot of sports in high school, too. Volleyball was my least favorite, then basketball, but track was the most fun of all.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Getting the words down
Wordcount 10/19: 646
Pffffft. Well, I was doing mostly edits early today, then augmented a scene by a couple hundred words. I got my most words done just a bit ago. I happened to be surfing through the Romance Divas forum -- great forum, lots of fun topics -- and dropped into the chat room to see if anyone was there. Well, there were a few writers hanging out having a challenge. I asked what kind of challenge, and they said a writing challenge to see how many words you can write in twenty minutes. Hey, count me in! It was fun. Sometimes I need a little push to help me reach my goals.
Pffffft. Well, I was doing mostly edits early today, then augmented a scene by a couple hundred words. I got my most words done just a bit ago. I happened to be surfing through the Romance Divas forum -- great forum, lots of fun topics -- and dropped into the chat room to see if anyone was there. Well, there were a few writers hanging out having a challenge. I asked what kind of challenge, and they said a writing challenge to see how many words you can write in twenty minutes. Hey, count me in! It was fun. Sometimes I need a little push to help me reach my goals.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
100 things most people don't know about me
Wordcount 10/18 -- 1690
Posting daily wordcounts gets pretty boring so I think I'll mix it up a bit.
I thought I'd occasionally post a few little known facts about myself, maybe five at a time, until I reach a hundred. Not sure I can think of that many, so don't be surprised if I post some pretty lame statistics. Here are my first five. Ready?
1. I jumped out of airplanes in college, for fun. Seriously.
2. I made a totally of 65 parachute jumps before I was 19.
3. I broke my back on a jump, but not seriously. A cracked vertebrae. It healed without any problems, though to this day I can't lay on my stomach for too long or my lower back starts hurting.
4. Umm... I landed in the middle of a sugar cane field on one my jumps. No injuries, but it took my jump mates some time to find me among the ten foot stalks of cane. Ahem.
5. I landed in a tree after a jump. Sat my butt right down on a branch, yes I did, and had the bruise to prove it. It just turned real purple. Not a big deal, but unattractive in shorts.
Okay, that's all for now. Stay tuned for a couple more parachute adventure stories in a future post.
Posting daily wordcounts gets pretty boring so I think I'll mix it up a bit.
I thought I'd occasionally post a few little known facts about myself, maybe five at a time, until I reach a hundred. Not sure I can think of that many, so don't be surprised if I post some pretty lame statistics. Here are my first five. Ready?
1. I jumped out of airplanes in college, for fun. Seriously.
2. I made a totally of 65 parachute jumps before I was 19.
3. I broke my back on a jump, but not seriously. A cracked vertebrae. It healed without any problems, though to this day I can't lay on my stomach for too long or my lower back starts hurting.
4. Umm... I landed in the middle of a sugar cane field on one my jumps. No injuries, but it took my jump mates some time to find me among the ten foot stalks of cane. Ahem.
5. I landed in a tree after a jump. Sat my butt right down on a branch, yes I did, and had the bruise to prove it. It just turned real purple. Not a big deal, but unattractive in shorts.
Okay, that's all for now. Stay tuned for a couple more parachute adventure stories in a future post.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Wordcount 10/14: 310
Wordcount 10/15: 825
Gee, I wasn't sure I'd get to write at all today. I wrote for only an hour, but I'd been thinking about how to end this scene since I woke up this morning. Then as I typed the words into the story, a lot had already changed. I love that about writing fiction. Even when you think you know exactly what will happen, events just sort of evolve and the details crystalize into something even clearer than you'd first imagined.
Wordcount 10/15: 825
Gee, I wasn't sure I'd get to write at all today. I wrote for only an hour, but I'd been thinking about how to end this scene since I woke up this morning. Then as I typed the words into the story, a lot had already changed. I love that about writing fiction. Even when you think you know exactly what will happen, events just sort of evolve and the details crystalize into something even clearer than you'd first imagined.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Writing Challenges
Wordcount 10/12: 1078
Wordcount 10/13: 1410
Not NaNoWriMo. That's way too intense for me. But I did commit to a challenge issued by my RWA chaptermate Elizabeth Naughton. And also the Sven 70,000 word challenge. So I'll be posting my accomplishments daily. I committed to 750 words a day and have already exceeded my goals. Yay, me!
Wordcount 10/13: 1410
Not NaNoWriMo. That's way too intense for me. But I did commit to a challenge issued by my RWA chaptermate Elizabeth Naughton. And also the Sven 70,000 word challenge. So I'll be posting my accomplishments daily. I committed to 750 words a day and have already exceeded my goals. Yay, me!
More Airport Shenanigans
There's more to the Denver trip story. We did, after all, have to fly back home. So what was that like? Bad, but in a different way. And oddly a bit more fun.
I think a lot of it had to do with attitude. Denver is a big city, but it's a friendly one for the most part. It still suffers from the fast-paced lifestyle that brings out the grump in some folks, but I think that's more the exception than the rule.
Going through airport security on the way back was a nightmare because on that particular Monday, a Broncos game the day before had attracted fans from near and far and everyone was on their way home. The line for security stretched beyond the coiling, roped off path to the x-ray machines and twisted around the corner to lead way, way back to the last carousel in the baggage claim area. No kidding. The line moved fast, though. Security at DIA is like a well-oiled machine and we made it to the head of the line in about an hour. I got my exercise that day, let me tell you. Where we had fun was when the line began to zigzag, then split off into more lines, which split off yet again to enter eight x-ray stations. A bunch of us, all total strangers, started betting each other who would get to a station first. It was hilarious. I think we were getting a bit punchy by then, but it made light of what could have been a heavy situation. And was there pushing and shoving to get to the head of the line? Nope. These people had class.
Oh, and our flight out of San Francisco was two hours late.
I think a lot of it had to do with attitude. Denver is a big city, but it's a friendly one for the most part. It still suffers from the fast-paced lifestyle that brings out the grump in some folks, but I think that's more the exception than the rule.
Going through airport security on the way back was a nightmare because on that particular Monday, a Broncos game the day before had attracted fans from near and far and everyone was on their way home. The line for security stretched beyond the coiling, roped off path to the x-ray machines and twisted around the corner to lead way, way back to the last carousel in the baggage claim area. No kidding. The line moved fast, though. Security at DIA is like a well-oiled machine and we made it to the head of the line in about an hour. I got my exercise that day, let me tell you. Where we had fun was when the line began to zigzag, then split off into more lines, which split off yet again to enter eight x-ray stations. A bunch of us, all total strangers, started betting each other who would get to a station first. It was hilarious. I think we were getting a bit punchy by then, but it made light of what could have been a heavy situation. And was there pushing and shoving to get to the head of the line? Nope. These people had class.
Oh, and our flight out of San Francisco was two hours late.
Excessive Rudeness in the Big City
Now that I live in a smallish town in the Pacific Northwest (Bend, Oregon; population 76,000), I've become a bit… uh, critical of big cities. I'm so used to smiling neighbors, thoughtful commuters, pleasant store clerks, and casual but friendly attitudes that I'm totally shocked when rude people rear their ugly heads. Just at first, though. Then I get used to it and sort of accept it as the norm for whatever city I happen to be in. I can't knock another city's culture. That would be, uh, rude. Do you see the irony here?
Anyway…
I'll give you an example of what I'm talking about. When my husband and I traveled to Denver in September, we had a connecting flight in San Francisco. Wow, what a big airport. We got to our gate and were astounded at the number of people flying to Denver. Holy crap! It was standing room only and lots of crowding going on, like people thought cutting in line was going to get them to Denver sooner than anyone else. Hello! It's one big plane, people. We're all going to get there at the same time. Sheesh!
An airline employee started calling out the seating numbers, first class being first, of course. Then came seating 2, and the line began to bulge in the middle. When seating 3 was announced, there was a massive surge of bodies wielding carry-ons bigger than the two bags my husband and I checked in. People were shoving each other! Being the economy travelers we are, hubby and I hung back with our seating 3 boarding passes, as we were in no big hurry to beat someone else onto the plane. That was just silly. But seating 4 passengers were already shoving their way to the front of the line. Airline attendants were shouting and pushing them back, telling them to wait their turn. It was a freak show. I wouldn't have been terribly surprised if someone pulled out a gun to threaten the next guy who dared butt in line. But of course airport security had prevented such a faux pas.
Did the shoving and rudeness and animal-like behavior cease once onboard? Hell no. To top it off, United seated my husband and I a row apart from each other so we had to sweet-talk an irate passenger into giving up his aisle seat so that we could sit together. Around us there was great jostling of carry-ons, with people cramming suitcases the size of grade schoolers into the overhead compartments. They're lucky no one was injured. Hey, it came close a couple of times. I'm a witness.
The airlines should offer discounts on these kinds of flights. And charge extra to the selfish, single-minded, self-absorbed idiots with the manners of a baboon in the Martha Stuart section of the department store. No manners, no taste, no style.
Okay, rant over. I'm still amazed at what we went through. Does that mean I'll never fly again? No. But I'll probably avoid San Francisco as the connecting city for future trips. I like Portland much better. And the WiFi there is free.
Anyway…
I'll give you an example of what I'm talking about. When my husband and I traveled to Denver in September, we had a connecting flight in San Francisco. Wow, what a big airport. We got to our gate and were astounded at the number of people flying to Denver. Holy crap! It was standing room only and lots of crowding going on, like people thought cutting in line was going to get them to Denver sooner than anyone else. Hello! It's one big plane, people. We're all going to get there at the same time. Sheesh!
An airline employee started calling out the seating numbers, first class being first, of course. Then came seating 2, and the line began to bulge in the middle. When seating 3 was announced, there was a massive surge of bodies wielding carry-ons bigger than the two bags my husband and I checked in. People were shoving each other! Being the economy travelers we are, hubby and I hung back with our seating 3 boarding passes, as we were in no big hurry to beat someone else onto the plane. That was just silly. But seating 4 passengers were already shoving their way to the front of the line. Airline attendants were shouting and pushing them back, telling them to wait their turn. It was a freak show. I wouldn't have been terribly surprised if someone pulled out a gun to threaten the next guy who dared butt in line. But of course airport security had prevented such a faux pas.
Did the shoving and rudeness and animal-like behavior cease once onboard? Hell no. To top it off, United seated my husband and I a row apart from each other so we had to sweet-talk an irate passenger into giving up his aisle seat so that we could sit together. Around us there was great jostling of carry-ons, with people cramming suitcases the size of grade schoolers into the overhead compartments. They're lucky no one was injured. Hey, it came close a couple of times. I'm a witness.
The airlines should offer discounts on these kinds of flights. And charge extra to the selfish, single-minded, self-absorbed idiots with the manners of a baboon in the Martha Stuart section of the department store. No manners, no taste, no style.
Okay, rant over. I'm still amazed at what we went through. Does that mean I'll never fly again? No. But I'll probably avoid San Francisco as the connecting city for future trips. I like Portland much better. And the WiFi there is free.
Work, work, work
Yep, that's pretty much what my life's been about for most of September and the first half of October. I run my own graphic design business and it's a fulfilling profession, yet very stressful. Only since the middle of last week was I finally able to come up for air after a couple of sizeable design projects. And I was writing in between those deadlines. Eeek! That's why I was neglecting my blog. I've recommitted myself to regular posting, though I can't promise a daily contribution. I've finally ironed out my time-management issues.
I design all the ads for The Best of Bend, and will be doing the ads for Affluent Oahu and Affluent Advertising of Seattle.
I design all the ads for The Best of Bend, and will be doing the ads for Affluent Oahu and Affluent Advertising of Seattle.
Family Photos
While in Colorado, I got to see my son Rick and my grandson Zack. And I got to see my beautiful youngest daughter Renee glowing with the pregnancy of her first child. Isn't she adorable? And her paramour Matt is a sweetheart.
My visit with my kids really topped off an all around terrific trip to Denver. I'll be back there again in January for the birth of my grandchild. Wow. I can hardly believe my baby's going to have a baby of her own. Where does the time go? And egads, am I really that old? Nah. Age is just a number.
Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Conference
September 14-16, 2007. Just like every year, the conference was awesome. This was my 14th RMFW conference and I had a blast. Learned a lot, networked a lot, and reconnected with many wonderful friends I've missed terribly since moving from Colorado to Oregon three years ago.
I think one major benefit of this conference that sets it apart as one of the best are the agent and editor workshops. You have an opportunity for professional feedback on your work that has been previewed by the editor or agent of your choice. The workshops are small and allow you direct access to a professional in the publishing industry. I was privileged to be in a workshop with Liz Scheier, senior editor for Del Rey, and it was a fabulous experience. I can't recommend these workshops strongly enough.
I also had a pitch appointment with Jessica Faust of Bookends Literary Agency. Jessica is wonderful, and she really knows her business. She requested a partial of my urban fantasy that I have yet to send, but I plan to get it in the mail by next week.
For information about the Colorado Gold, you can review the 2007 program here. The 2008 conference will be held next fall in September, so be sure to mark your calendars now so that you don't forget!
Blog interruptus…
I know, I know. I have neglected my blog when I'd vowed not to. My bad! It's time for me to make up for my ineptitude as a good blogger. Heavy, heavy sigh.
So please hop onto my time machine and travel back a few weeks to when I posted my last entry. We won't revisit every day since then, just a few of the important ones.
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