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February 7th, 2010
11:29 pm - Poetry, Writing, etc
I've kept at my hundred words a day, posting a couple of new entries on my word-a-day blog, writing in my Moleskine notebook,etc. That puts me at day 18/100 for Club 100. The shiny counter:
18 / 100 days. 18% done!
Yesterday, I went to a Poetry Workshop run by Sandra Kasturi and David Clink. I learned a lot, wrote 17 poems, and had a thoroughly enjoyable day.
Current Location: in bed
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/punquinheads/pink/tired.gif) exhausted
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February 4th, 2010
06:13 pm - Story sale and nomination reminder
I heard today that "Destiny Lives in the Tattoo's Needle" will appear in Tesseracts 14, due for publication in September 2010.
Woot!
That's two Tesseracts appearances in a row, as "The Tear Closet" appeared in Tesseracts 13.
Which reminds me, all of my Canadian LJers, only a few days remain to consider nominating me for an Aurora Award. I am eligible in the 2009 - Publications in English, Short Form category. Click here for a complete list of all eligible works.
Remember, you can go to my website and read the consideration copy of "The Tear Closet."
And if you think it's worthy, click here to nominate my story for an Aurora Award.
Oh, and if you either attended WorldCon in Montreal last August, or are registered to attend WorldCon in Melbourne this year, you can nominate "The Tear Closet" for a Hugo in the Short Story category. You can find all of the details on nominating a story for a Hugo here.
Current Location: Urbana Cafe
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/punquinheads/pink/working.gif) accomplished
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February 2nd, 2010
11:01 pm - Getting There
Today, I wrote another 500+ new words (and cut at least that many) on "The Flower Gathering" to maintain my 100 word/day initiative. Last night, I fell asleep watching TV, so I missed the night, but I figured since I more than doubled up today, I'm calling it even, making today day 13/100. The shiny counter:
13 / 100 days. 13% done!
I'm still unsure as to whether the change to the story is working...but will keep at it regardless.
Current Location: the living room
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/punquinheads/pink/thoughtful.gif) contemplative
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January 30th, 2010
11:59 pm - Keeping at it
It's late and I'm tired. I just wrote another 134 new words on "The Flower Gathering." It's not much, but it's more than 100 and that's all that matters. Today makes today day 10/100. Go me.
Must catch some zzzz's.
Current Location: in bed
Current Mood: exhausted
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January 29th, 2010
11:49 pm - New words for an old story
I checked out my submission tracker today, and saw so many stories sitting, waiting, un-subbed, under-appreciated. I dusted off "The Flower Gathering" thinking I would simply print it and send it out.
Instead, I read the opening and it didn't sit well with me. So I scrapped it and wrote about 450 new words giving the story a slightly different start. I'm nowhere near finished, and the change will ripple through the piece.
It's funny how looking at a story after a long absence makes it so easy to think up new angles, figure out new ways to sharpen the important parts and ditch those that don't work.
I'm satisfied with my accomplishments for a change.
Oh...and I booked a March Break trip for me, my mom, and my younger son. A first for me, one of these all-inclusive places in the Caribbean. Fingers crossed it will be as fun as I imagine it will be.
I also bought tickets to see the King Tut exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario next week.
I be filling up the well.
Current Location: in bed
Current Mood: accomplished
Current Music: the quiet house
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January 28th, 2010
12:24 pm - Missing the feel of a hundred words a day
Between Michael and my DC2K friends, ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) reddherring1955 and aldeygirl in particular, I've plunged into Club 100 for writers for the first time in ages. I'm posting my words over at my word-a-day blog which has been horribly neglected over the last couple of years.
I've stayed on track since January 21st (that's one week, for those of you counting) or seven days if you're more math-inclined. Granted, one night's worth I had to post the next day, but that's the kind of counting I'm doing, so there!
The shiny counter:
7 / 100 days. 7% done!
Last night, I switched things up a little. I made a list of the first "topics" that popped into my head of "things I know something about" because, let's face it, if I'm going to write another novel, I should write about what I know. I will post the words (or phrases) over on my word-a-day blog to help keep me on track. (Feel free to count the words...more than a hundred!) Last night, I put them in my Blackberry, so I will have them with me at all times. No excuses.
This writing thing must become a habit again. I've been frightfully stuck in the pit of writers' block for far, far, far too long.
Current Location: my office
Current Mood: accomplished
Current Music: my cafe on Facebook
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January 11th, 2010
08:14 pm - Begin Shameless Self Promtional Plug...
I am particularly proud of one of my stories that was published in 2009, "The Tear Closet" which appeared in Tesseracts Thirteen.
I would appreciate any of you Canadian citizens who read my blog to go to my website and read the consideration copy of "The Tear Closet."
If you love it, or even if you like it, please consider nominating me for the Aurora Award. I am eligible in the 2009 - Publications in English, Short Stories category. Click here for a complete list of all eligible works.
When you're ready, click here to nominate my story for an Aurora Award.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Current Location: my office
Current Mood: busy
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December 22nd, 2009
04:22 pm - It's been a long, long time
I can't believe it.
Yesterday, I spent most of the day procrastinating, surfing the web, and by the end of it I wanted to write. But when I opened a word file and began typing, all I could do was rant. So I let it out, ranting for about a thousand words about my current predicament with the J-situation.
It felt remarkably good to get it off my chest.
I then proceeded to follow some excellent advice and wrote an email that (a) made me very emotional but also (b) made me feel good (okay, not right away, but after I'd had some time to think about it and allowed myself to be proud of the step I'd taken). Good's a feeling I've been sorrowfully lacking in my life of late.
Today, motivated by a dream I had the night before last, I wrote a *new* story. 5,300 words worth, a start-to-finish little nutshell of a first draft. And there's actually hope that I can get some quick first-reader feedback and submit the thing for the December 31st deadline for Writers of the Future.
Only a couple of days ago I would've LMAO at anyone who had suggested that I would not only want to write, but could actually finish a story and like it.
Granted, I haven't read it over yet, and who knows how I'll feel about it after I do, but g-dash-it, I'm pumped.
Maybe the fog of frustration is finally lifting???
Current Location: Urbana Cafe
Current Mood: accomplished
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December 21st, 2009
03:56 pm - Reconnecting with the outside world
I've been a hermit of late. An epic hermit. And the Christmas/holiday season is the worst time to be a hermit.
So today, I'm out in the world, sitting in a cafe, catching up on all the media I've been ignoring including Facebook, LiveJournal, and Hotmail, to name a few.
Hello everyone, glad to see you, apologies for my continued absence. It's nothing personal, it's all me, so don't sweat it, dear friends. I still care what you're up to, even if I haven't read your LJ or written on your Facebook Wall in ages, and appreciate all contact even if you don't get a timely response.
Today, I'm feeling full, mostly from all of the parenting and meditation books I've been reading. I now practice the art of "I matter," and am working on "letting go."
And since I'm almost at my internet surfing maximum for the day, I may actually do a little writing in a few minutes.
Life is life. What else can I ask for?
Current Location: Urbana Cafe
Current Mood: contemplative
Current Music: Top 25 most played on my iPod
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December 17th, 2009
09:39 pm - Holiday Spirit
I attended my younger son's holiday concert at school today. They did two songs, both of which made me uber-proud.
I have shopped and wrapped gifts which are now under the tree. Chanukah gifts have already been exchanged. Tonight, my younger son and I opened our "Christmas Eve" gifts as he goes back to his dad's tomorrow and I won't see him again til Boxing Day.
Should be a quiet Christmas, and I'm trying to enjoy that aspect, as strange as it feels.
Current Location: in bed
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/punquinheads/pink/sad.gif) melancholy
Current Music: Mozart's Requiem
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December 1st, 2009
04:14 pm - Pampered Chef Update
My first thirty days as a Pampered Chef Independent Consultant are almost up. I have one more cooking show scheduled before the deadline, this coming Sunday afternoon. Hopefully, fingers crossed, I will meet my thirty-day requirement and qualify as a consultant. Here comes the plug...
If any of you Canadian bloggers have been considering buying some Pampered Chef products for yourself or as a gift for the holidays, please contact me ASAP. The deadline for placing orders for guaranteed Christmas delivery is Dec 17th.
If you're interested in browsing the catalogue, drop me an email and I'll send you instructions on how.
...end plug.
For those of you following the big drama in my personal life, nothing has changed. I continue to be frustrated, but have resolved to be patient and hope for the best.
Current Location: my office
Current Mood: busy
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November 4th, 2009
09:28 pm - A New Venture
I've done it! I've signed up as a Pampered Chef Independent Consultant.
For those of you out there in Canada, if you're thinking of ordering some of their product (for yourself or as a gift for the upcoming holiday season) give me a shout! Google Pampered Chef to check out their products.
As for the why, well, with all the ugly stuff and its related expenses, I welcome the challenge and will appreciate the extra income.
As part of my launch, I will be having a couple of Grand Opening shows. If you're interested in coming out for one, let me know. And the best way to save money on the products is to host a show. If you've always wondered what it's like, it's not only easy, it's fun! I would love to hear from you.
Current Mood: busy
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October 30th, 2009
10:13 pm - Chapters tomorrow
On Saturday, October 31, I am doing a book event at the Chapters on King St N in Waterloo. Drop by between 1 and 3 pm for snacks and a reading from Tesseracts 13. Look for a review of the anthology in the Kitchener Record on Saturday as well.
Current Mood: exhausted
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October 20th, 2009
01:43 pm - Paperwork Days
Yes, we all have them, the dreaded paperwork days. These are the days when we read emails we've been avoiding, update our bankbooks, and generally try to feel as though we have a handle on what's going on in our lives.
This is what I spent my time doing today.
Remarkably, the first time I checked my watch, almost the entire day had flown by. This means no writing for me today.
I do feel as though my life is stabilizing. Many of the big items on my plate have been finishing/resolving/completing. So I many have some brain time and/or writing time soon.
Must make time.
Current Location: my office
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/punquinheads/pink/cold.gif) cold
Current Music: the sounds of patio stones being set in place
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October 14th, 2009
03:08 pm - Flight
In an effort to ready myself for the upcoming NaNoWriMo, I did some soul searching today. I'm still not sure if I will change my mind and write something new, but for now, I know that I want my efforts to go towards something important.
My novel, "Flight" is at the top of that priority list. No matter what, I must put my efforts into it, come hell or high water, as often as I can, or I will lose the small amount of momentum I gained this summer at WorldCon and DragonCon.
Today, I figured out how to transition from the new beginning into the old beginning for the one character. Kyle is another story. His beginning is so radically different, I still don't know how I will merge him back into the middle of the novel. For now, he has his own crisis, his own directives, and I hope, soon, an epiphany will hit me hard enough to get me through this land of unknown-mixed with doubt.
SK has promised to read it over, and I haven't forgotten. I know she was busy the last couple of months with her own commitments, but I want to get something in her hands soon, and that means repairing the breaks I've made to solve the mistakes I wrote myself into.
This novel stuff is hard, gosh darn it.
Current Location: Urbana Cafe
Current Mood: contemplative
Current Music: NaNoWriMo '08 mix
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11:04 am - Hey, if it worked before...
I finally had the chance to give, "Destiny Lives in the Tattoo's Needle" a final read-through today. Now it's in the hands of the editors of Tesseracts 14 to slush as they will, so to speak.
My total number of subs for the year has risen again to a whopping 7. Yes, I know, it's low, but it's all I've got. (And I've reached the lucky 13%! Woot!) The shiny counter:
7 / 52 submissions. 13% done!
Current Location: Urbana Cafe
Current Mood: accomplished
Current Music: the NaNoWriMo '08 mix
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October 2nd, 2009
12:25 pm - Out and about
I'm sitting in a Starbucks in Toronto, taking in the vibe, hoping to be inspired to write something. I might give "Destiny Lives in the Tattoo's Needle" a read, and decide if it's worthy to sub to Tesseracts 14. I will definitely send them something (maybe two somethings, if they allow multiple subs) because I like the antho and hey, it's Canadian, eh!
The weather here is dreary, so I bought myself a new purse and scarf -- perfect accessories to get me through the fall.
Current Location: Starbucks
Current Mood: thoughtful
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September 30th, 2009
08:09 pm - Out the Door
I sent, "Jelly and the D-Machine" to Writers of the Future today. Yay! It read like a first-draft-ish story, but I think it worked, so what the heck. I'm feeling pretty good about having a couple of stories out there, even if it means I've been neglecting the novel. Orcs storm the wall!
That puts my total number of submissions for the year at 6. The shiny counter:
6 / 52 submissions. 12% done!
In other news, my pool is closed, just in time for our cold miserable weather. Summer is certainly long gone.
And on the irritating front: inanimate objects are the enemy. I'm just saying...it's been one of those days.
Current Location: my office
Current Mood: accomplished
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September 25th, 2009
02:10 pm - Words on Paper
I have finished draft zero of "Jelly and the D-Machine," which weighs in at about 4,800 words.
I wrote the opening of the story in January of 2007, and haven't touched it since. With a little polishing, I'm liking what I've done with it.
After a couple of passes, I do believe I will send it to WotF, as the deadline looms. I don't really have time for crits, which may be a HUGE mistake, but it's my own fault for leaving things until the last minute.
Current Location: my office
Current Mood: accomplished
Current Music: iPod shuffle
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September 11th, 2009
09:01 pm - Tesseracts 13 Launch at Bakka-Phoenix Books
Just a reminder of the launch party for Tesseracts XIII at Bakka-Phoenix Books tomorrow (Saturday, September 12) at 3PM.
With any luck, I will be reading from my story, "The Tear Closet."
Hope to see you there.
Current Location: my office
Current Mood: accomplished
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