We're back after a four day trip to the Jersey Shore!! It was a great time (I will try to put up pictures later this week).
On my plate this week is to do more edits on my Princess story. Katie found some gaps I need to plug and I am working those issues out. (She said she liked what I've done so far for the world building that was missing). I am really enjoying this critique group and weekly challenge (even though I am behind on my word count for the week due to vacation!)
I will be working 3 days this week, and will also be taking a trip to the wineries on Wednesday (we're out of wine and need to restock). Hubby's mom and dad will be joining us for the trip and we are sure to have a blast!
What I've been reading:
Going to the beach left time to sit in the sun and read some books. While I was away I read the following:
Janet Evanovich's Twelve Sharp (another Stephanie Plum novel)-- it was great!
Patricia Briggs' Moon Called and Blood Bound (The Mercy series)-- WOW! What a story teller! I liked them so much that I picked up books 3 and 4 at Barnes and Nobles today.
I also read Hot Stuff by Janet Evanovich and Leanne Banks. It was a hoot. Her books read quite quickly for me, as they are action packed and just plain fun to read.
What are you reading???
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Happy Father's Day
Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there, especially my dad, my father-in-law, and my husband (and brothers, too!)
This last week was a busy week for me, although looking back at it I'm not entirely sure why. Life just seemed to intervene.
Wednesday I found a critique partner through Writer's Digest. We will be exchanging work to each other on a weekly basis to critique and give an overall feedback to. Katie gave great feedback on the Princess story I'm writing which I am now working to incorporate into my work. She sent me the prologue and first ten chapters of her YA (Young Adult) Vampire story. Let me say- I can't wait to see where she goes with it next. I am finding it to be quite a compelling tale.
Yesterday I didn't get any writing done, but I did get a new place to write in. For several years now, I've been trying to convert the upstairs into a playroom/crafting room for my son and I. Well, the crafting are is there (and is a mess), the play area is there (another mess) and the rest of the giant O-shaped room (the stairs come up through the center of the room, making it an 'O') is filled with storage stuff. Well, yesterday I decided that since Dear Son (DS) was not using the play space for play, that I would re-do it for an office/writing area for me.
A few hours later, I have my desk back, filled with all my writing things, and a nice area to write in away from everyone. (Not that I'm trying to be anti-social, but it is hard when you're writing and have that great sentence going and someone interrupts you.) As well as a head start on cleaning out some of the crafting/sewing area (this will all get tackled later, as will the toys and other things stored up there that need to go.)
The only thing is, it kinda looks like a nursery as I used the Windsor rocker we got when we had DS, and I put up the curtains from his nursery. Doesn't bother me at all! I am finding it quite peaceful and organized looking.
This is DS's last week of school. He is excited and disappointed at the same time. He really liked his teacher this year and is going to miss her over the summer.
Speaking of summer- he will be doing EPAC (Endicott Performing Arts Center) this summer- they are putting on Alice in Wonderland (the musical version). We're looking forward to seeing his talents on the stage.
What I'm Reading:
I had a friend suggest I read Janet Evanovich's 'How I Write', so I did and found it very interesting (although are writing styles are very different- there were some really good things I learned.) She referenced her Stephanie Plum series in the book, so I have been zipping through those books. Stephanie is a lingerie buyer turned bounty hunter and the trouble she can get into is amazing (and hilarious) They are a hoot! If you get a chance, check them out! (Warning-- there is a lot of swearing in them- nothing gratuitous with it, each one is appropriate for the situation- so if you don't like swearing, you may want to avoid them.)
Have a great Father's Day!
This last week was a busy week for me, although looking back at it I'm not entirely sure why. Life just seemed to intervene.
Wednesday I found a critique partner through Writer's Digest. We will be exchanging work to each other on a weekly basis to critique and give an overall feedback to. Katie gave great feedback on the Princess story I'm writing which I am now working to incorporate into my work. She sent me the prologue and first ten chapters of her YA (Young Adult) Vampire story. Let me say- I can't wait to see where she goes with it next. I am finding it to be quite a compelling tale.
Yesterday I didn't get any writing done, but I did get a new place to write in. For several years now, I've been trying to convert the upstairs into a playroom/crafting room for my son and I. Well, the crafting are is there (and is a mess), the play area is there (another mess) and the rest of the giant O-shaped room (the stairs come up through the center of the room, making it an 'O') is filled with storage stuff. Well, yesterday I decided that since Dear Son (DS) was not using the play space for play, that I would re-do it for an office/writing area for me.
A few hours later, I have my desk back, filled with all my writing things, and a nice area to write in away from everyone. (Not that I'm trying to be anti-social, but it is hard when you're writing and have that great sentence going and someone interrupts you.) As well as a head start on cleaning out some of the crafting/sewing area (this will all get tackled later, as will the toys and other things stored up there that need to go.)
The only thing is, it kinda looks like a nursery as I used the Windsor rocker we got when we had DS, and I put up the curtains from his nursery. Doesn't bother me at all! I am finding it quite peaceful and organized looking.
This is DS's last week of school. He is excited and disappointed at the same time. He really liked his teacher this year and is going to miss her over the summer.
Speaking of summer- he will be doing EPAC (Endicott Performing Arts Center) this summer- they are putting on Alice in Wonderland (the musical version). We're looking forward to seeing his talents on the stage.
What I'm Reading:
I had a friend suggest I read Janet Evanovich's 'How I Write', so I did and found it very interesting (although are writing styles are very different- there were some really good things I learned.) She referenced her Stephanie Plum series in the book, so I have been zipping through those books. Stephanie is a lingerie buyer turned bounty hunter and the trouble she can get into is amazing (and hilarious) They are a hoot! If you get a chance, check them out! (Warning-- there is a lot of swearing in them- nothing gratuitous with it, each one is appropriate for the situation- so if you don't like swearing, you may want to avoid them.)
Have a great Father's Day!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
A Day of Writing-- or not
So, yesterday I was going to work on editing my chapters for my book. I wanted to use the big computer to take advantage of the larger screen (while I love my netbook, the screen is small) Here's how it went:
Plug in and update Zune-- new month, new music! (I got a Steve Carlson album I didn't already have.)-- Search for music to listen to while writing and realize it's not there because Zune wasn't synced to the netbook (oh, well-- I'll try the Mummy soundtrack I just downloaded.)
Now, insert jump drive and open files from last night. What? Open Office needs to be updated? (Oh, yeah, I haven't used it on this computer in a few months.) Now, what was the master password again?
OK, while I'm waiting for Open Office to update, let me check my e-mail and work on my Blogger settings. Hey- why is this person still showing up in my Google Reader? I removed them 4 times yesterday!!! Hey- they're still in Blogger to! What the heck???? (mutters to self as finally finds and removes person from list.)
Open Office is still updating. Hmmm- maybe the laundry is ready to change over. Yep.
More problems with Open Office.... hmmm maybe I should have just worked from the older version-- it did open my documents, after all!!!!
Thirty minutes later, I finally started working on my writing :)
Plug in and update Zune-- new month, new music! (I got a Steve Carlson album I didn't already have.)-- Search for music to listen to while writing and realize it's not there because Zune wasn't synced to the netbook (oh, well-- I'll try the Mummy soundtrack I just downloaded.)
Now, insert jump drive and open files from last night. What? Open Office needs to be updated? (Oh, yeah, I haven't used it on this computer in a few months.) Now, what was the master password again?
OK, while I'm waiting for Open Office to update, let me check my e-mail and work on my Blogger settings. Hey- why is this person still showing up in my Google Reader? I removed them 4 times yesterday!!! Hey- they're still in Blogger to! What the heck???? (mutters to self as finally finds and removes person from list.)
Open Office is still updating. Hmmm- maybe the laundry is ready to change over. Yep.
More problems with Open Office.... hmmm maybe I should have just worked from the older version-- it did open my documents, after all!!!!
Thirty minutes later, I finally started working on my writing :)
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Awesome Author!!!
I am using today's post to thank one of my new favorite authors, Lisa Shearin.
For those of you unfamiliar with Lisa, she has a great blog. I have really appreciated all the help she gives to aspiring authors. The information she posts has been very helpful to me. She has also been very gracious at answering e-mail questions.
She has a great series of books. They are action packed adventures that always leave me wondering what trouble Raine, the main character, will end up in next. I am anxiously waiting for the next book, but unfortunately it won't be out until next year--- although, thanks to Lisa's great blog, I now understand exactly why I have to wait that long (and am happy to do so).
I am so happy that she (and her publisher) give us, the fans, great books to escape with.
Go check out her blog and her books. Here's a list of them (in order):
Magic Lost, Trouble Found
Armed and Magical
The Trouble with Demons
Bewitched and Betrayed
If you've already read them-- introduce them to a friend!!!
For those of you unfamiliar with Lisa, she has a great blog. I have really appreciated all the help she gives to aspiring authors. The information she posts has been very helpful to me. She has also been very gracious at answering e-mail questions.
She has a great series of books. They are action packed adventures that always leave me wondering what trouble Raine, the main character, will end up in next. I am anxiously waiting for the next book, but unfortunately it won't be out until next year--- although, thanks to Lisa's great blog, I now understand exactly why I have to wait that long (and am happy to do so).
I am so happy that she (and her publisher) give us, the fans, great books to escape with.
Go check out her blog and her books. Here's a list of them (in order):
Magic Lost, Trouble Found
Armed and Magical
The Trouble with Demons
Bewitched and Betrayed
If you've already read them-- introduce them to a friend!!!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Writing, writing, writing
I've been working very hard the last couple of weeks on re-writing the Princess story I did last year. (I know-- I keep changing it.) I am much happier with the way my characters are in this version (I have a few new people who showed up this time to make it more interesting.)
My goal is to get it polished up and then to find an agent who might be interested in representing me. I am letting it sit for a bit so I can read it through with fresh eyes to see how well it flows.
I'll think about posting a snippet here for you all to read and give feed back on.
My goal is to get it polished up and then to find an agent who might be interested in representing me. I am letting it sit for a bit so I can read it through with fresh eyes to see how well it flows.
I'll think about posting a snippet here for you all to read and give feed back on.
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