Raquel Rodriguez

Carrying On

2011-10-11T14:45:00.003-05:00

So, less is more, right? Yeah, sometimes it is when you only have limited time to write or get something else important done. It all adds up in the end. Those day of 105, 160, 116, and 114 words all put together create a scene. And the more scenes that appear make a chapter, and chapters turn into completed manuscripts. That's the idea anyway.

NaNoWriMo is coming up in November. If you're not familiar, it's when writerly folks put pen/pencil to paper or fingers to keyboards and create like crazy for 30 days straight toward a goal of 200 pages. It's actually a bit over 6 pages per day if you work it out. Not a problem for most folks who are used to a daily job of turning out pages. Not so much for us folks who work and have extra life obligations. However, a great challenge is to focus and discipline yourself in order to achieve those 200 pages. Taken a little at a time, plus having a plan and outline to guide and work with, it's not as daunting as first thought.

I usually do NaNo and get it done, but last year I fell short. Next month I'm doing it again and hopefully will make that 50k goal. I also have holiday baking to organize and schedule and a bird to tackle right after the big spooky rush of Halloween. And after I finish our costumes and contemplate a couple of calls for submission I think I might attempt.

Let the fun begin!

~R

The Balance of Dharma

2011-09-25T22:14:00.004-05:00

It's Sunday night, and I haven't finished everything I wanted to do this weekend. It really doesn't matter, because all the stuff that needs doing and that I'd love to devote a bit of attention to will still be there tomorrow and the next day. Rushing around too much causes headaches I don't need, so I'm going to try and keep on an even course. For the next month I'm going to pick one thing in the house that needs taking care of, one thing for work, one for family (not counting meals), and one thing for me.

This, rather than a dozen items on my daily to-do list, hopefully will keep my body, mind and spirit in balance. And this along with the joy of my family will help me to better write when I have those precious minutes ticking away. And now time for a little peace and quiet.

~R

Where Did Sumemr Go?

2011-08-21T09:43:00.006-05:00

Not the usual season. I'm talking about all this #$%^* heat that has pushed away what should've been an enjoyable 2-1/2 months. I know it will end eventually and we'll be off water rationing. I just hope rain comes soon! Exhaustion preempted several 'field trips' this summer though I made it out to a few places before the heat got to me. I'm really thinking positive thoughts for all the local farmers and their crops.

Yesterday I attended a great lecture about publishing given by a local RWA chapter I rejoined after being away since '96. Lots of questions and insightful answers were give by Karen Whiddon, Shayla Black and Sophie Oak. These ladies were knowledgeable and more than willing to give information and direction regarding their take on trad and e-pubbing and self pubbing. I was hoping I'd connect with another writers in the group and be able to talk about the industy and our work. Though it was very obvious there were circles of friends that only wanted to stay within their circles (myself and several others who were new to the group sat off to one sit of the room), the lecture was definitely a benefit to pre-published and published authors alike, and I'm very glad I went.

This month editing has been slow, and I'm contemplating a title change on one story along with some refining of the plot. Reworking two other first drafts and writing one new story will be my goal the rest of this year. Teaching is going well too. I just finished another online 'World Building' workshop and will start another in a week at Savvy Authors ('Feng Shui for Characters') in about a week. Head on over and check it out if you're interested.

So, today is family day and rest time before another busy week begins. And school starts tomorrow for my very excited kiddo! Okay, on to catch up with more reading.

~R

The Long Wait Is Over ... for now

2011-08-13T09:34:00.004-05:00

After nearly two months of wilting heat and weeks of triple digits we finally have rain today. I stood in the slowly falling drops for about five minutes early this morning, just soaking up the relief of not having to face another day with winds that burned my face every time I went outside.

Yes, it's raining. Hopefully it'll stay awhile. I'm so doing the happy dance because it's finally RAINING!!!!

~R

Ready, Set ...

2010-09-12T09:28:00.002-05:00

Getting ready for tomorrow (Monday). So much to do like laundry, pre-make lunches, get my music together for my classes, make sure the week's dinner menu is done, and watch the new Netflix movie we've been procrastinating about for several days. Oh yes, and our SciFi club is having a crew dinner in costume. Now, what to go as ...

~R

Fun Was Had By All

2010-09-11T23:32:00.002-05:00

Busy day starting with one of my RWA chapter writer's meeting, then on to a visit by another group we're with to another group's meeting then socializing, and home.

The afternoon meeting was a sedate, interesting group, and we found many friends we already knew. I was fortunate to also reconnect with a dance partner (Les) from waaay back when we were with the same belly dance group. She's still lovely as ever, and I was so glad to see her again. Turns out we have common interests, and we also talked about dancing together again in the future. Yeah!

Next week after out SciFi meeting another group is meeting at the same location ... so all I have to do is hang out then maybe Les and I do a bit of dancing again. She told me of several functions and we connected on a forum where I hang and do research for my SP stories. This is going to definitely be fun.

Writer's meeting means no writing today. Will try tomorrow for a few pages.

~R

Life & Stuff

2010-09-08T11:12:00.003-05:00

I really don't like arrogant people. I mean, what reason can they possible have for narrow opinions and risking someone's safety?

Yep, I had a difference of opinion with someone, and I'm in process of checking out the facts. My day job entails a lot of watch dogging, and my #1 concern is my student's safety and good health. Exercise can be dangerous if not done correctly, and instructors should always keep preventative measures in place. Unfortunately this is not always the case. Fun can come with a price, and I gladly keep watch over my classes.

The reunion and dad's memorial went well. Stories were told and family members reminisced. There was a table laid out with my dad's photo, flowers, his favorite candies to share, a memorial book to sign, and extra stationary for anyone who wanted to write to dad because hey didn't get to say goodbye. After dark and our weenie roast supper, we burned the letters and the smoke rose to heaven and messages went to dad. Everyone cheered, and we waved to the night stars and dad. It was good and brought some closure.

Subbing several additional classes over the next two weeks, so I might only be able to post a line or two in my entries.

~R

Oh. My. Goodness.

2010-09-03T13:03:00.000-05:00

Exhausted isn't the word for the whirlwind that is 'the beginning of school.' Day one was as expected: lots of parents escorting their spawn onto the grounds, lots of vehicles parked where they shouldn't be, lots of confusion because some families couldn't be at meet-the-teacher night last week.

I am so glad we parked up the street and walked.

My kiddo is excited to be back in school and to see friends. I am ready for my schedule to settle back down. My day job is still going well, and I think I've figured out my writing time. I don't have nearly as much as before, but the few hours per day will be put to good use. Now I'm looking forward to a little quiet time and maybe a chick-flick before school lets out.

Still need to do a bit of shopping for the family reunion and my dad's mini memorial tomorrow. Maybe that movie will have to wait a few days. (sigh)

Page count ... 7 new ones.

~R

The Day Job

2010-08-19T13:54:00.000-05:00

A couple weeks ago I took on more hours during the day and even signed up for additional training classes. In two days I'll be jumping, skipping, moving and smiling like crazy in Zumba training to be 'official' and be able to teach under that name (rather than the usual 'Latin Dance Aerobics' class). I'm excited and very ready to get through this training. After talking to several other instructors about how vigorous it is, I've already packed my protein bars, nuts, and dried mangoes.

I am so ready to do this!

And school is about to begin, so tonight we get to meet the teacher and unload all the supplies. Yeah!

~R

Heat Wave

2010-08-15T16:14:00.001-05:00

In Texas, air conditioning is NOT an option, and I'm always reminded of this fact every August when the Mercury rises over the century line. It's everything we can do sometimes to stay cool or even to keep our home livable, much less comfortable in 107-degrees. Yes it's not the desert, but a heat bubble always forms over the metroplex that dissipates any chance of precipitation.

Swimming is sometimes an option, though not always. Lots of ice gets made, lots of water is consumed. Forget turning on the stove (much less the oven) to make a meal! I've even taken to writing with pen on paper to cut even the tiniest heat from my computer. We will survive this year as we always do. Just don't pack my freezer with ice cream!

~R

PS: kiddo is coming home tonight! I can hardly wait to see him again!! :-)

Sweet Relief

2010-08-12T08:39:00.001-05:00

Not exactly relief from the great Texas heat (though that will arrive in few weeks with Autumn), my son is still visiting grandma. Don't get me wrong, I love my child dearly. I an glad for a little quiet time to straighten my home, write a little more, and get inventive in the kitchen with chocolate, which I haven't had time to do in months. I suppose this can be termed 'stress relief.'

Chocolate is calling, and I must answer ... but not too much or I'll blow the beginning of my new exercise and diet changes.

~R

Thursday Recommendations

2010-07-29T11:22:00.004-05:00

It's been too busy this summer, and getting a little down time - even a few hours - sounds heavenly! After reading Christie Craig's newest release "Shut Up And Kiss Me," I bought her book "Gotcha!" which came out last year. I'm not too far into the story, however it's proving to be just as entertaining as the other book.

I'm starting a "recommendation" post on Thursdays, and today my advice to relieve stress is to escape by reading something your enjoy. Go hide for 30 minutes, turn off your cell phone, take a bubble bath, visit your favorite coffee shop, or go get an mani-pedi and take your book and read. The time you spend on yourself will do you good.

Now it's my turn to do a little reading for stress relief. :)

~R

Did It Again

2010-07-26T11:16:00.002-05:00

In my defense, I haven't judged too much over the past year, so I answered a "call" to help judge a non-RWA writing contest. Not too many pages for the entries plus an easy-to-understand-and-fill-out judging form. I know I'm side tracking. Giving back is something I do, because I've had some great help from contest judges in the distant past.

Editing is still slow, but I have hopes to get back on track within the next few days. I'm mulling over 2 new scenes I need to add and how to not make the additional character a total jerk. Redemption is the key here, making him somehow a lovable jerk. He's an alpha, so there's potential conflict with my main hero (always a good thing). And I have more than one shrubbery for them to beat on, lol.

For the next couple of weeks I'm hoping for a lot of quiet to get this story completed. I just have to limit my Internet time. I still have high hopes, though interruptions are the rule of the day sometimes. Thinking positive = I will persevere instead of procrastinate.

Wish me luck!

~R

More Fun

2010-07-22T09:07:00.002-05:00

Well maybe. Editing is going slower than I planned. I'm supposed to be participating in a BIAW challenge, but yesterday I didn't make my quota. Three hours a day is a comfortable amount of work, any more and I get a little overwhelmed in the summer. It's different during regular school months. Not so when my kiddo NEEDS this, that and other stuff NOW.

I'm doing okay keeping distractions to a minimum. Routine has helped me a lot plus getting back to my daily exercise. I haven't had much luck finding someone to redo my website, so I'm back to square one trying to redo it myself. I spent a few hours Monday designing and figuring out what would work best, load fast and be easy to upkeep. I still haven't reconstructed my old site with all the particulars. Yahoo archives still don't have copies, and the way-back thingie isn't working for me. I'll just have to keep working on it a few minutes here and there.

Editing. Yeah, I'm behind where I want to be. I thought by now I'd be happily in the middle of the story. I really need to quit that, because it never happens that way. I'm hoping after I check on my class today to enter all the edits for the last two chapters I reworked. That's my goal ... besides redoing the music for my class this evening.

So, yeah, life goes on. Still have my fingers crossed this story will be out the door by the end of this month.

~R

Another Day

2010-07-15T08:25:00.004-05:00

I figured I'd better post in case anyone was wondering (does anyone ever read this??).

It's been ten days now since D-day, and I'm trying to get back into my daily routine. But it's difficult. I look around I see something that reminds me of dad, and the moment comes where I just have to stop and remember to breathe until the tunnel vision and inner pain subsides enough for me to try and deal again.

I've made breakfast, lunch, and dinner for my family for the past two days, a duty I usually share with my DH. I watered my orchids yesterday and this morning. I fed the cat. I watched a movie with my kiddo. I taught my workshop and went to my evening job.

Mundane simple things make life easier to cope with. I know it will eventually get easier to deal with the loss. I even negotiated with my offspring for a few hours of quiet time yesterday and edited an entire chapter. I have to add several new scenes, and I'm almost to the point where I can't continue editing without them. I'm so emo right now I'm not sure how they'll turn out. Or if they even will. I guess I can always save them for a different story if it doesn't fit the plot.

I have a personal goal to submit this story by the end of this month. Cross your fingers or toes or light a good luck candle for me.

On to editing another chapter today.

~R

Sad Day

2010-07-05T22:55:00.000-05:00

My dad died today.

~R

Life Update

2010-06-26T08:14:00.003-05:00

I know it's been a long time since I posted. The last several months, life has become complicated. Family comes first before all else, even writing. Last November (same time I broke my wrist and had surgery) my dad was diagnosed with non-Hadgkin's Lymphoma stage 4. I won't bore you with details, but here's a basic rundown.

In March my dad started having problems with his chemotherapy and went into the hospital for several days due to bleeding. He got out but had to go right back in a week later. April was the same, and then he stayed with my sister after he got out (sort of like a mini vacation from his, ahem, "wife" - don't go there, trust me). Early May dad went back in the hospital for the same problem but for a longer time. The doctors determined dad needed rehab to help him regain the strength he'd lost and help him recover. On Memorial Day he went into a good facility. Nine days later he started having trouble again.

A brief visit to his doctor put dad back into the hospital for testing. This revealed an ugly truth we were unprepared for: dad had two new massive tumors that has started and grown to the size of grapefruits over three weeks. These were inoperable and unresponsive to all treatment.

On June 11, dad went into Hospice care. My sister and I are sharing as much of the basic comforts as possible (translation = we happily do lots of "go-for"s) and being his "cheery" squad. We tell him stories about our kids (his grandkids) and remind him of all the good things that happened when we were growing up. Family and friends have driven and flown in from all over the USA to see dad. I gladly spend a lot of road time five days a week to get to the hospital over an hour away.

My dad is an amazing individual. He's got his quirks and faults, and he's made his share of mistakes. He's human. He also learned and grew into a better person.

He's survived car accidents, a plane crash, multiple surgeries, started several thriving businesses, went back to school after marriage and kids and got two degrees, built several houses, rebuilt several cars, and has lived all over the world. He use to sing little songs like "Dirty Bill" and "Alice" instead of reading regular bedtime stories. He's also a US Army Veteran, a tenor, gourmet chef, an avid reader, and a writer. He's lived joyfully, loved with all his heart, and laughed a lot. He also raised my sister and I.

I always had the feeling my dad could do anything he wanted. That's how he raised us too. But he's not going to be around much longer. I love my dad, and I'll stay with him as long a I can.

~Raquel

What was the best job you've ever had?

2010-05-17T16:38:00.001-05:00

I'm very lucky to be able to have varied interests like writing, costuming, teaching, performing. I love doing them all! And the best is being a mom, though I don't really consider that a job. :-)

Ask me anything

Actions That Really Speak ...

2010-05-14T10:55:00.005-05:00

Every writer’s heard the phrase “it’s all about the story,” and, well, in romantic fiction it seems doubly so. Actions can speak loud and clear, especially when there’s a lack of it through the plot. Heroes and heroines have a purpose to meet and fall in love just as readers have expectations of a happy ending. It’s the journey through the plot, all the little ups and downs, all the conflicts those two characters must face and eventually overcome, and all the actions those characters take that add a touch of magic and make the reader come back for more stories.

But sometimes that doesn’t happen, which was one of the reason ...

(visit here to finish reading ... http://ffnp.blogspot.com/)

~R

Accountability Rant

2010-04-27T10:11:00.005-05:00

I really despise it when people take credit for someone else's work or don't mention that they were taught a certain noteworthy thing thus completely ousting the individual who kindly passed on their knowledge when they didn't have to. This is one of my pet peeves, and it's unfortunately happened before. It really bothers me that some folk don't own up and just say it like it is. Why not admit it when a thought or deed or skill was first done by another? There's no harm in it, no shame, and the individual will still get the glory because they are in the spotlight at the moment. Not only is unfair to the originator, it's down right mean.

If an idea was mentioned by someone else but not listened to, then was brought back up at a later date by someone else who happened upon a fairly lucrative deal and then was praised by those same people who practically ignored the individual who first mentioned it, that is so not right. Taking credit for someone else's ideas or work is wrong. Why? Why when the second individual already has all the glory and attention don't they pass on "oh, yeah, I got this idea from so-and-so..." The originator of the idea or thing probably worked hard to come up with whatever it was that was taught to or adopted by someone else.

I suppose blame should be distributed equally, especially if the original audience poo-pooers where so narrow minded they couldn't see their way to compromise so that everyone would benefit. But I think the first individual should be at least mentioned rather than ignored.

Just saying.

~R

Confession Time...

2010-04-23T09:01:00.002-05:00

Usually there are a few things I schedule to accomplish each month, like a BIAW (Book In A Week) challenge, or NaNoWriMo or Script Frenzy. Spring is always exciting with school about to let out, new things happening, SciFi Conventions and my local Renaissance faire happening. All this on top of the fact I work. Mostly I've gotten everything I've wanted to done, but I've been busy this month.

The one thing I really wanted to get to but didn't was Script Frenzy. Sadly, my pathetic few pages beginning my script area all I've been able to do. I have a week remaining in the challenge, however I doubt seriously I can pull off 100 total pages by the end of this month. So, change of plans. I've decided not to worry about it and keep working on my editing. Better I think to have a polished manuscript to submit than yet another first draft partially ready for an editor's eyes.

Next month will be just as busy. I haven't figured out what projects I want to work on, and when I get it figured out I'll post. Until then, happy day and don't sweat what you can't finish.

~R

Stuff I Did Today

2010-04-21T17:24:00.002-05:00

I read an interesting article about "5 Things That Will Make You Happier." It went on to explain the 5 areas and made sense. I guess I succeeded top day, because I did pretty much what the article said even before I read it.

Be grateful was easy. I have a great family, wonderful home and good job(s). I'm optimistic these will continue and I'll have a great week. I suppose that last would also count toward counting my blessings. Using my strengths when I write and dance and exercise (whether teaching or not) always relieves my stress. And last but certainly not least, I slowed down more than usual on the highway today ('cuz I just felt like it) and let lots of fast drivers speed by. THAT also relieved the stress of worrying about getting into an accident, which I didn't.

Overall, I had a good day. Now time to hit teth gym then back home to do more editing.

~R

If you had to give up one favorite food, what would the most difficult?

2010-04-21T12:51:00.001-05:00

Chocolate, without a doubt. I would miss it terribly!

Ask me anything

Update and Prattle

2010-04-19T14:18:00.003-05:00

A new day and so much to do. As Always. Last week was stuffed so full I thought my pocket calendar would explode from all the notes and reminders. It didn't. I got through everything, including all my appointments, obligations, exercise and dance classes (the ones I took and taught). All things considered, the days actually went pretty smoothly.

And today is another day, as Miss Scarlet would say.

I've been thinking about inspirations for stories, the things that my brain latches on to and then my imagination takes off like a rocket with more "what if"'s than I know what to do with. I never have a lack of material to write about. I just have a lack of time to write it all down. More about inspirations to come another time.

~R

Weekend Survival

2010-03-29T13:37:00.003-05:00

I did it. I went from modern me back to the 60's for a b-day party then transformed into a purple haired gal. And with a couple of modifications to my schedule due to time changes I made almost all my appearances and got where I was supposed to go *on time.* Tonks and Harry showed up and fended off the evil Lucius at a notable concert featuring the music of several great movies (Harry Potter included, obviously :-)).

Two workshops ended yesterday, though I'm still fielding a few questions, which is okay. My April workshop on characters began today with lesson 1 plus four information sheets. (Anyone interested, check the right sidebar.) It's one of those fun classes I don't teach too often. I enjoy the emails and posts (if it's on a forum) and being able to experience all those "oh, yeah!" light bulb moments when folks 'get' the information and successfully apply it to their stories.

So, that'll be going on for the next 4 weeks. On other fronts, our local Ren faire will be starting in two weeks, plus there's a slew of SciFi stuff to do over the next couple of months. And this is besides my usual day job, lol. I know where my fingers will be flying to create stuff. More later and maybe even pictures.

~R

Star Trek or Star Wars?

2010-03-25T10:25:00.001-05:00

That's tough, I love both. I've been a Trekkie for sooo long, but lately Star Wars is winning more of my attention.

Ask me anything

What website do you spend the most time on?

2010-03-25T10:24:00.001-05:00

Publishing/writing industry blog sites. Reading to fun and I stay up with current trends and events.

Ask me anything

Who inspires you the most?

2010-03-24T09:35:00.001-05:00

My son because he's always so inquisitive and creative. :-)

Ask me anything

Character fun

2010-03-23T09:04:00.002-05:00

When people learn I'm an author I get asked a lot of questions, one of those being are my characters based on real people?

Yes and no. Sometimes but usually not. I have many tools to help me write including resources from the all my years in the paranormal field of research like Tarot cards and Astrology books. Mumbo-jumbo some would call it. No problem. It's useful and I love working with a resource that gives me answers every time.

Astrology especially is helpful because there are so many possible combination of character traits to feed conflict and liven the plot. I never have character motivation issues or lack a sufficient scene goal. I don't have what some writers call the "sagging middle" syndrome, and I never get writer's block.

I can teach you all about this handy technique too. My April workshop "Writing By The Signs: Creating Believable Characters with Astrology" will teach anyone to overcome any character difficulty and give even more insight to write with. If you're interested see the right sidebar for the link to the Savvy Author and sign up to take my workshop.

Discover hidden facts about your characters with Astrology. I'll also be blogging at Savvy Author's tomorrow again about this subject, so come read and sign up. :-)

~R

formspring.me

2010-03-20T20:56:00.003-05:00

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/RaquelRAuthor

formspring.me

2010-03-20T20:56:00.001-05:00

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/RaquelRAuthor

Saturday

2010-03-20T10:19:00.003-05:00

Well the weekend's off to a ... piddly start. Kiddo's still well. I'm almost well, but DH is not. Not going to our SF meeting today or the extra activities later with the group. Workshops are caught up. I need to read through a week of emails and concentrate on catching up with the class I'm taking. And write. I need to spend a few hours today doing that.

Oh, to be current with everything ... (sigh)

~R

Another week another Ramble

2010-03-18T15:32:00.002-05:00

So, yeah, Spring Break's almost over. It's been more effort than I thought it would be to work with the kiddo around. Everyone's finally over being sick, and I have a few more minutes of peace and quiet before offspring gets home from day camp.

And writing, yeah. Been trying. And I'm actually not behind on that. Just need a few more details in order than it's back online I go and more Q & A. And lessons.

I just need a couple more hours in each day, and I can make both ends meet, lol.

So much for tackling wayward projects this week. Maybe this weekend ...

~R

Savvy Authors

2010-02-23T09:28:00.002-06:00

Blogging today at Savvy Authors (scroll down) and teaching my workshop there next month! Check it out (link is in the right sidebar), sign up, learn stuff!

~R

Marathon Saturday

2010-02-20T18:07:00.000-06:00

We have TRON from NetFlix! I usually do one day a month where I watch 2-3 movies (a 'Marathon Monday'), eat nachos and chocolate and popcorn and gummy worms, whatever, and thoroughly enjoy myself. This always refills the creative reservoir and makes my Muse (Maab) happy. Sometimes it's all pirate movies, sometimes it's all historicals, sometimes fantasy, sometimes spy. Whatever I'm in the mood to watch, all the movies have a common theme.

If I don't get my "play" day, Queen Maab gets cranky and uncooperative, and I have a difficult time writing.

Well, this isn't a full "day," but I love TRON and haven't seen it in years. My kiddo's never seen it. This is where all the artistic movie CGI began, and for at least a few hours I'm going to enjoy a creative refill.

~R

Graduation Day

2010-02-18T10:55:00.002-06:00

The last six weeks of physical therapy went fast. I was determined and still have a little more to go, however I'm very satisfied with the progress of my left arm and wrist. I can do almost everything I used to and almost pain free. Because of the severity of the breaks and the non-existent range of motion in 80% of my wrist and lower arm the Dr.'s were doubtful, and I was told "it will NEVER be the same," and "don't expect too much."

As if today I have 95% ability, motion, and range back.

They don't know me very well. :-)

~R

Mean People Suck :-(

2010-02-13T16:18:00.002-06:00

To whoever hacked into my email: GET A LIFE YOU STUPID IDIOT.

You may think it's fun to spam my friends and colleagues, but it's vicious and mean. You now have ultimate BAD KARMA, and you deserve it!

To everyone who got the crap email and junk attachment, this was NOT SENT by me. Ignore, disregard, and otherwise trash it.

Thanks,

~Raquel

Wintery Wonderland

2010-02-12T08:47:00.001-06:00

This morning I took more snow pictures to add to my collection from yesterday.

12 Feb 2010, 7:01 am - Snowy morning greetings from my front porch.

12 Feb 2010, 7 am - Gnomes buried under 6-inches of snow.

12 Feb 2010, 7:05 am - Butterfly Garden.

12 Feb 2010, 7:10 am - Lots of thick whiteness on everything - check out the bird bath in the background.

I wanted to document the cold beauty of nature and how much snow we got. This probably won't happen again for a long time.

12 Feb 2010, 7:15 am - Land ho, 6-inches of snow! Butterfly Garden ahead!

12 Feb 2010, 7:16 am - The cold didn't phase my huddling pink Flamingos.

Yesterday I measured three places in the open yard and figured we ended up with about 5 inches. Yesterday mid-afternoon we were at 3 to 4 inches. As of now we've got 6+ inches on the ground. I have hot tea and coffee, brownies and yogurt, and I'm staying inside cuddled up at my computer to edit.

Wisely, school was canceled today. Pretty and white, the powdery snow's piled carefully high on the bare tree branches and the ground and snowman-ready for my kiddo. I'll watch from inside and sip my tea as I contemplate how to get my heroine out of her man-trouble. :-)

~R

Let It Snow

2010-02-11T16:09:00.002-06:00

Wow. I woke up this morning and looked out the window and ... wow.

Yesterday I knew snow was in the forecast, so I expected some.

11 Feb 2010, 6:45am - It's been snowing all night.

11 Feb 2010, 6:50 am - My garden Gnomes are digging for cover under the Maple tree.

11 Feb 2010, 8 am - My front yard Butterfly Garden.

And we got some more snow, plus some MORE snow. It been snowing all day!

11 Feb 2010, 8:05 am - Merlin sneaked into the middle of some clean laundry I was putting away and made himself quite at home.

And the white flakes are still falling. A snow "event" as it's called. In north Texas we get maybe 1 or 2 days of snow every other year, and it's over. Only once every ten to fifteen years we see snow "events" that last days and cripple traffic and throw silly people into panic. We get ice storms, and that story's best left for another post.

11 Feb 2010, 12 noon - Butterfly Garden again. Accumulation is 3-1/2 inches, and it's still snowing.

11 Feb 2010, 12:15 pm - Pretty Holly and berries in the snow.

11 Feb 2010, 12:30 pm - Front yard. It's really coming down now.

11 Feb 2010, 3pm - Lexie (dog) & Alex in the back yard after school.

Anyway, yeah, panic. Native Texans know how to deal with a little snow and ice under the snow. Transplanted Texans don't, at least the vast majority I've deal with or seen. And yep, I'm one of the very few natives left here. There's a way to drive on ice if it's necessary, and it's NOT the normal way you drive. Innocents and idiots alike know this and so do their insurance companies.

I don't drive in severe weather of any kind if I don't have to. Sliding on the street in my car to go somewhere or ending up in a ditch by the side of the road is not my idea of a safe journey. You get out, do what you absolutely must, then then get home and stay off the roads until they're again clear. That may sound weird to those living up in the north USA. Not in central north Texas.

Last night, all night, power transformers blow out around our neighborhood continually. The explosive "BANG"'s were disconcerting, and hopefully everyone got their power back on quickly. (shiver!) That's a creepy sound, hearing one of those big electric boxes blow up. Ice and accumulating snow causes it. Yeah, we're not equipped here to deal with lots of snow, but the experience is great background for my stories.

Stay warm and safe.

~R

Need Inspiration

2010-02-09T09:41:00.000-06:00

Watching Van Helsing today. Besides being a mega-hunk I'd love to meet, Hugh Jackman's my favorite action hero! Maybe Wolverine next. Hmm ...

~R

Tying up Loose Ends

2010-02-03T16:17:00.003-06:00

Today's been long, and it's only half over. I've edited, done some laundry, written, pet my cat and talked to my dog, and got about half of my To-Do list accomplished and just picked up my kiddo for school. In the Rain. And cold. I'm reeeeaaally hoping all this nasty cold will kill the mosquito and bug eggs so next summer will at least be tolerable. Enough of that.

Little by little my WIP is getting whipped into shape. I don't have a word count today, don't ask. I'll have something official next Monday, hopefully. Hey, at least I'm trying to keep up this blog more than once every, say, 3-4 months, lol. I'm doing more editing than writing right now, actually, and I feel like I'm going at this story back-asswards. Usually I go at it head-on then sideways. If you don't understand, don't try, 'cuz it'll give you a headache. The process works for me, and I love it.

Anyway, keeping wayward characters in check is ... interesting. Yeah. I'm seeing lots of attitude from one and snark from his ex- (she's got the hots for someone else, of course!). But that's what makes reading fun, all the conflicts of interest. More about this in a future blog report. :-)

~R

90 Percent Me

2010-01-28T10:51:00.002-06:00

For those wondering about my broken wrist from Halloween, I can now officially write that I'm out of the brace with a naked arm. I'm 12 weeks post-Op, and I've been in and out of Dr's offices all week for physical therapy and check-ups.

The PT is doing a world of good. I've been re-evaluated, and all my lifting of weight/pushing/pulling restrictions have been canceled. I'm sore this morning from all the different new exercises and increased reps to rebuild muscle and strength. Already since the beginning of the year I'm back to my normal range of motion in most areas and 73-80% with the remainder. Yesterday's x-ray showed marked improvement in bone growth over the past 4 weeks also, and I couldn't even find 2 of the 3 break lines because they'd healed so well. I don't need my wrap or metal support. For my own peace of mind I'll still wear it at the gym for a while (I'm allowed to use it "as needed") when I do my weight training and aerobics until I get the final okay from my surgeon. But hey, it's been a long road, and I'm totally hyped about doing so well!

This also means more keyboard time with both hands. And relearning to do things around the house 2-handed is, um, going to be interesting. For now I'm aiming for full use in the next 4 weeks.

~R

And now the new and improved ...

2010-01-24T15:06:00.003-06:00

I've been changing over my links and trying to update this site to my main websit'. Until I can get something I like, I'll be here posting and updating my books and progress.

About that progress ... I'm so close to finishing the extension of the first draft, but I keep going back and editing to get to the points where I've inserted the extra scenes with that new character. Instead of feeling like a bouncing ball, I'm just going to keep on the editing and write the new stuff when I get there. Copious notes and scene ideas will ensue until I get there.

WIP

33,250 / 50,000
(66.5%)

Happy 2010

2010-01-23T19:20:00.004-06:00

I am so glad to be finished with 2009, the year almost everything went wrong. No boring details, however I'll be recovering for a few more months according to my surgeon. :-/ Thankfully I can type 2-handed again.

Injuries aren't good for getting stuff done or enjoying the holidays or even being able to do everyday things like grocery shopping, laundry and driving. Somehow I managed, and now I have all this totally emo gloom and doubt to add into stories. It'll get doled out a little at a time not all at once. No one would believe me if I told them what I've been though. Geez.

I listened to the Universe and things are hopefully better. My writing definitely reflects the changes plus I'm moving faster with the story. Yep, got another wild hair up my hoo-ha and decided yet again to change the middle and add a new character. So I'm busy writing him in.

So am I'm really not totally insane for doing this. I just wasn't happy with the way it was progressing. And maybe this time I'll complete it and send the darn thing to my editor. And amidst all this, my website's been down and will be for a few more weeks until I can get some help there. Cross your fingers for me and watch for my Twitter updates. This blog will be my home-on-the-web for the present.

Happy 2010,

~Raquel

Step One, Two

2009-08-14T09:39:00.002-05:00

One forward and two back. I had to scrap several scenes that just didn't work well enough for me. On to more today, hopefully I won't have to hit my delete key.

~R

33,451 / 50,000
(66.9%)

Rock and Hard Place...

2009-08-05T07:59:00.003-05:00

... probably not the one you think.

Murphy seems to have found me again. Literally. My DH has been looking into getting another dog to keep our lonely German Shepherd company when she's not in the house with me. Turns out, the Collie we'd planned on bringing home is a major barker and does NOT like the outdoors. His name? Murphy, of course. That, plus he apparently whines when he doesn't get his way, and we already have to deal with this problem. So, no new dogie. We'll keep looking for a nice quiet rescue.

I did track down the phantom that keeps disconnecting my Internet connection. Sort of. Over the past week every time I've gotten the unexpected little white "Local Network Unplugged" box on my screen it's been accompanied by a thump in the kitchen. I told DH about this and though puzzled, he messed with some things the other night and that seems to have fixed the problem. It didn't happen yesterday and so far not today. I hope it stays gone.

I'd also forgotten about about a call for submission by one of my fav digital pubs for my fav subgenre. Unfortunately the deadline in next week, and my sub isn't ready. I still have a couple of GG entries to finish judge too by the end of this week and a couple of crits to do for ladies in my local writing chapter by the end of this month.

My own progress is still slow, and I'm trying to apply the information I read about in the workshop I took to my WIP. Yea, and about that class... I expected a lot more interaction with the instructor. The class officially ended Aug 2 (Sunday), and as of today I haven't received any feedback. Call me disappointed, this seems to happen every time I take a class. Don't know why. This is the reason I do not take classes: I am usually disappointed. At least it was a free workshop.

Backto the two ideas I need to outline and make notes on that my Muse plopped down in my head a few days ago so I can get back to writing.

~R

MOTS -

36,225 / 50,000
(72.5%)

My Turn

2009-08-01T07:50:00.002-05:00

Officially my workshop is ending tomorrow. Two weeks have rushed by in a near blur, and all the questions and comments were great. Earlier this morning I discovered an opportunity to actually take a workshop given by a digital publisher.

I'm not usually on the receiving side, and this "Show vs. Tell" class sounds like it will be fun. I've already subbed to the online forum, dived in and done a few class exercises, and am working on lessons. Love this challenge, and I'm hoping I'll get some feedback on my assignments.

Other than this, we've having a nice lazy day at home. Happy Anniversary to me!

~R

MOTS -

35,500 / 50,000
(71.0%)

Slowing Down

2009-07-30T07:41:00.002-05:00

Writing is now a slow crawl, however I posted lesson nine yesterday. I think I've scared off my students, because hardly anyone is posting or has questions. I'll keep watch.

My anniversary is in two days, and we've decided to do a 'family' dinner with our kiddo at the local Mongolian BBQ then watch a video at home. Ahh, having a good time doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. :-)

~R

MOTS -

34,425 / 50,000
(68.8%)

Breathing Room

2009-07-24T07:37:00.002-05:00

Things are okay with my workshop, though writing has slowed. The first four lesson have been posted, and I hope the folks in the workshop aren't too overwhelmed. Not much else going on at the moment.

~R

MOTS -

33,570 / 50,000
(67.1%)

Digging In

2009-07-21T07:33:00.002-05:00

I love teaching, and I always learn something useful from my students. This week got a bit of a rocky start, as I had written the start day one day later then on the schedule. Big oops. Lesson one and the intro got sent in the evening instead of the afternoon, but things are okay now. Just waiting for questions to come in.

~R

MOTS -

33,000 / 50,000
(66.0%)

Live Life!

2009-07-15T07:29:00.001-05:00

And be distracted from my writing. You've heard the drill, everything under the moon tries to keep me from work. Also need to get organized to teach my workshop the next two weeks, YEA! :)

~R

MOTS -

32,000 / 50,000
(64.0%)

A Little Midweek Change

2009-07-09T06:13:00.005-05:00

Editing is going well. Really well. I've falling in love with this story all over again. But it seemed too short and incomplete. It just needed something else to give it a bit more oomph. Also new character popped up out of nowhere, and I like the potential for conflict between my existing Hero and Heroine and this new one. And I had a few more ideas about the plot I want to develop more fully, plus I love exploring paranormal possibilities.

And, and, and, plus, plus, plus. Yeah. All this interesting stuff in my head needs to get written. Life is challenging and I want my story to reflect the journey and happiness more fully so I'm extending MOTS from 30k to a full novel. I know it's more work. I'll be happier with it in the end. All the extra scenes will be newly written pages. You're not seeing weird, I've just doubled the word count on my meter.

Back to work now.

~R

PS: ISS flew over 1-1/2 hours ago, very nice & inspiring! :-)

Progress

MOTS

30,012 / 50,000
(60.0%)

Monday Montage

2009-07-06T10:58:00.002-05:00

As in ... I have way too much to do, and this is a non-busy week! List: the usual housework, laundry and stuff, finishing my Inara costume for the CSTS, starting my new Tonks costume for next week's new HP movie premiere, pack kiddo's clothes for trip to grandma's house, make new leather collar for doggie (DH should've done this yesterday), and of course work on my writing (goal 50 pages by Friday).

I will get it all done.

~R

Update - Not Slacking

2009-07-05T09:40:00.000-05:00

'Busy' has become my middle name. My Muse even sidetracked me last week on a new story and I worked on new pages instead of editing. And when I got back to editing on the current story, I got a idea that wouldn't leave me alone. I started all over from the beginning so I could add another antagonist and more conflict. This means MOTS will probably double in length. I'm just going to keep editing and write new scenes as the mood dictates.

It may not look like it, but I have made progress. Maybe not as fast as I'd like, but I'm trying to reestablish a writing routine that works (waking at 5:30 to 6am is becoming a habit). Not an easy thing during summer school break.

I just completed teaching my Sagging Middles workshop and have another one to do in two weeks about writing Action scenes.

The annual CSTS in my area is July 11, and the new HP movie is next week. I still have a little to do on those costumes, need to dye one pair of shoes, and curl one wig. Then play time! I get asked "where do you get ideas for stories?" This is one source: public appearances as known characters. Plus it's a lot of fun. :-)

As to accountability, here's where I am:

Progress -

MOTS

10,250 / 30,000
(34.2%)

and ...

B&C

5,000 / 60,000
(8.3%)

It's been two weeks since I last posted. I'm going to try and update a couple of times a week from here on, if I can.

~R

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T11:06:00.002-05:00

... to all the dads in the universe. Enjoy your special day!

And now for a progress report ...

5,750 / 30,000
(19.2%)

So Fast ...

2009-06-17T08:28:00.004-05:00

It's already the middle of June. Where did the last week go? I know I've done stuff and edited, etc., etc. Maybe I should just update my progress, measly as it is.

I've decided I'm going to post my working list a couple of times a month only. And it's just for me anyway, to stare me in the face and constantly remind me to keep working. As much time as I spend on editing, you'd think I'd be further along. I really must stop going over the same page a dozen times and just leave it be.

I think I'm officially crazy for trying to do this...

~R

Progress:

MOTS -

4,250 / 30,000
(14.2%)

ShS - 0 / 25,000

V - 0 / 7,000

C - 0 / 25,000

LDB - 0 / 30,000

PP - 0 / 55,000

D4TC - 0 / 55,000

FP - 0 / 50,000

MTT - 0 / 65,000

D4H - 0 / 60,000

MP - 0 / 50,000

DBWB - 0 / 25,000

.

One or the other...

2009-06-09T11:25:00.002-05:00

Yeah, well, I know I have to edit. Last week was pretty much a waste since my kiddo got out of school early the last few days. This week I'm supposed to be doing BIAW with one of my writing chapters. That is SO not happening due to my kiddo not sleeping in like I thought he would.

I have so much I *want* to edit, pus DH talked me into writing a brand new shortie for an SF mag. I guess me having a summer flu since yesterday doesn't really count when I'm supposed to be *sitting* and working. Brian is engaged but wandering, so not much productivity. Still not giving up on today, but I may have better luck tomorrow.

~R

2009 Addition:
(like I don't already have enough to do!)

V - 0 / 7,000

Reality Checking

2009-06-06T09:11:00.014-05:00

Found some of my blog posts to 2005 (on another site) I thought I'd lost forever & saved them to archives. And Twitter finally restored all my posts. Yea! Editing is slow, more interruptions than I care for. I love my family dearly, but my office is in in the center of our home and open to all noise so proximity to all activities is 100%. If I buy a little shed and put it in the backyard, run an extension cord for A/C, lights, coffeemaker & computer, maybe I'll get more work done?? A better solution is take a week and clean out my over-cluttered craft room and covert it. I also want my dining room back, so the sewing machine and fabric does need to be moved. The exercise of moving stuff around may be a good way to ease into my summer diet, lol.

Adjusting to kiddo out of school for the summer is tougher than I thought it would be. I don't recall this much trouble last year. Probably all the initial excitement of getting to do stuff otherwise not on our schedule. I need to edit a few pages, so I'll stop here before I ramble.

Thought for today: Attitude adjustments don't suck when you want them. 'Nuf said. More later.

Have a good weekend.

~R

2009 Editing Progress:

MOTS -
Status:

1,750 / 30,000
(5.8%)

ShS - 0 / 25,000

C - 0 / 25,000

LDB - 0 / 30,000

PP - 0 / 55,000

D4TC - 0 / 55,000

FP - 0 / 50,000

MTT - 0 / 65,000

D4H - 0 / 60,000

MP - 0 / 50,000

DBWB - 0 / 25,000

Back Again ...

2009-06-03T18:08:00.009-05:00

It's been too long since my last post. I've been Tweeting so much, I forgot I had this blog.

Ahem. Okay, progress report: I suck at getting stuff completed. This needs to radically change! I'm going to *try* and keep up here (since GJ is gone, taking with it the last 5 or so years of posts and archives, grrrrr...)

So, okay, here we go. I have many projects I want to completely edit and get out the door this year. Yes, I realize it's June already, and I'm still working on the first two. But at least I'm making progress, sort of. To my thinking, if I post here for accountability, it just might work out. Here's the list of what I want to complete:

2008 Progress:

ST (the final-final-final-FINAL edit!!!) -
100,000 / 100,000

Status: submitted & waiting.

2009 Progress:

MOTS (5th round edits 'cuz I wasn't happy with it & added a new antagonist for more flavor) -
5 / 30,000
Status: editing

"C" -
0 / 25,000
Status: not yet edited

LDB -
0 / 30,000
Status: not yet edited

PP -
0 / 55,000
Status: not yet edited

D4TC -
0 / 50,000
Status: not yet edited

FP -
0 / 50,000
Status: not yet edited

MTT -
0 / 65,000
Status: not yet edited

D4H -
0 / 55,000
Status: not yet edited

MP -
0 / 50,000
Status: not yet edited

DBWB -
0 / 25,000
Status: not yet edited

Yeah, I'm crazy to try and complete all this. I'm the queen of 1st drafts, and I MUST do something with them! I am ordered to do this by Maab, my Muse who is NOT amused.

~R

Second Time Around

2006-12-03T10:13:00.000-06:00

I'm starting over editing ST. Not that the last round was bad, I've just been away from it for a month and I need to start again fresh. So, tomorrow I'll be good and start editing from the veeery beginning of page 1. Hopefully this little break away from the story will have given me the strength necessary to cut out 23 pages of non-essential prose and stream line the story better. I neeed to start up the tension faster. The action needs to rachet higher more quickly in chapter one. I need to get my main characters in trouble pronto, not on page 5, but ASAP.

So, that's my plan and I'm sticking to it. Updates will be forthcoming.

~A

I Won!!

2006-11-30T14:44:00.000-06:00

And by that, I mean I have successfully completed the challenge to write 50,000 words in 30 days for NaNoWriMo. Oh, the story isn't quit complete just yet. There's still a little more since I've just written up to the Black Moment in the story (apprx. 3/4 through). I'll be totally completing DBWB sometime this month at my leisure.

Did I say leisure?? I must be nuts, since now I must get back to my ST edit. But DBWB will get finished.

As for the celebration, I chose veggie pizza and a huge, cold Young's Luxury Double Chocolate Stout Beer. Mmm . . . so yummy and delicious! I was in heaven and took the rest of the night off from writing. I'm taking tomorrow off too.

But, I DID IT! After trying twice before, this year I WON NaNoWriMo!!! WOOHOO!!!

NaNoWriMo, DBWB -

50,483 / 50,000
(101.0%)

NaNoWriMo: DBWB --

2006-11-29T12:15:00.000-06:00

I'm getting there . . .

43,866 / 50,000
(87.7%)

~A :-)

All In A Day

2006-11-28T08:32:00.000-06:00

What was I thinking to sign up for NaNoWriMo (at the last minute) this year on top of everything with family going on plus T-day??

Reason: I'm insane. I must be. After the great feeling of accomplishment I had about finishing FP in Oct., I was on a roll from the writing high and wanted to continue. So, DBWB was born and I threw my proverbial hat into the NaNo ring seconds before the starting bell rang.

Gads.

Now I'm not so sure about this story. I've been working my assets off trying to get it written, and I'm not where I want to be. My goal was to reach 40K yesterday because this is the last week and the official "pencils down!" bell will go off at midnight Nov 30th. I'm sitting just shy of 38K right now.

And WHY am I blogging when I should be writing??? Procrastination is my friend. At least first thing in the morning until I get caffeinated and ready to tackle my lofty goal of the day (usually between 10-15 pages which for me is quite doable).

No, wait, dialogue is my friend. ;-) And I just finished breakfast -- 2 Lady Walton's Gourmet Creamy Dark Chocolate Butter Wafer Cookies totaling 6 points on my Weight Watchers chart and . . . soooo yummy!!! I'm on my second cup-o-Columbian Supremo, DH is at work, my kid's at school and the house is quiet. Even the cat's outside, though I can hear him up on our rook chasing squirrels.

Ahhh, it's writing time. :-)

NaNoWriMo: DBWB --

37,388 / 50,000
(74.8%)

T-Day: Take Two

2006-11-24T13:47:00.000-06:00

Yep, I'm doing it again. When my DH realized we weren't going to have any turkey or feast leftovers, I decided we'd have our own little family meal with all the trimmings. Made for a nice Friday night dinner, plus we now have plenty of leftovers to gobble down when we get peckish. ;-)

~A

In The Zone

2006-11-22T08:23:00.000-06:00

The baking zone, that is. With the holidays in full swing, I've been cooking and baking for nearly a month. I always start off easy, a cookie or cake recipe that's an old favorite, then I move on to something a bit more challenging.

Much like writing a book -- start with what you know, research if necessary, and expand from there.

No biggie.

So, okay, the old stand-by muffins-out--of-a-box mix and spice cake went well. The new chocolate mint cookie recipe didn't even give me to much trouble. I liked that, and a few of them are still around for the family to savor for breakfast. Today I've pulled another old standard: candied pecans. I haven't made these in a couple of years, an they always turn out great. I have to do my fav maple pecan pie too for T-day. And . . . I'm trying out a new cake recipe from Paula Deen's TV cooking show, Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake. Mmmm!!! So easy and quick.

Not like writing a book, which takes time and an whole heck of a lot more effort to get just right. ;-)

For me, baking and writing are so similar: you start with the basic elements or ingredients, mix them up, see what it needs and add a pinch of this or a smidgon of that or turn it over to a crit partner, adjust and mix a little more then bake it or write "The End." Volia! You have a great final product to read or eat.

Not too difficult to figure out. The process (of writing) can get detoured by life interferences, and right now I've caught up on my obligations, but waaay behind on my own stuff, especially NaNoWriMo. I'm 32,000 in, and I have 18K to go to finish by the end of this month. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this.

Maybe.

No! I WILL FINISH THIS STORY!

And catch up on emails, and report to my BIAW group, and get my butt to the gym at least 2 times today, and clean the kitchen, and-and-and . . .

Good thing is, with the NaNo project completed, in Dec. I only have a couple of things to do. I have my online workshop for FTHRW ("Writing By The Signs: Creating Believable Characters with Astrology" starting Dec. 17, 2006 -- the info is on my website if you're interested in taking the class, www.AnnJR.com). Plus I'm going to write a story just for me and because I want to. Kind of like a present from me to me. So far, my working title is "Down For The Count," and it's about a modern everyday witch who owns a little bakery, her magical mishaps, and what happens when she meets a real European Count with a sweet-tooth. I've plotted out the story outline, and will get to the rest later. Gonna have fun with that one.

Gotta so play catch-up this morning--more later.

Happy T-day!

~A

My Progress

2006-11-20T09:01:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm writing and editing, but I've lost count of my pages over the past week. I have 2 WIPs and 1 complete manuscript I'm editing, plus all the baking for the holidays.

The house smells yummy, and my heros are becoming even yummier as I progress. I love it when I get to this point, just beyond about 1/3 of the story. It makes sense, motivations seem real, goals are realisticially out of reach (for the moment), and my Muse kicks my butt into a higher gear. :-)

And tomorrow I have my very first function as an official Room Mother to help with my son's Thanksgiving Feast at school. Gonna love it. :-)

~A

Not Getting It

2006-11-15T10:34:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was frustrating at best. I didn't get back to my writing until last night after averyone was alseep. I still think I can finish Nano, if I can stay on track. I'm pretty close to the halfway point, and my other WIP is almost complete (realized a new twist toward the end, so I have to write that in).

Yesterday would've gone a lot better if I'd brough in my notebook to write on as I stood in line at Fry's waiting to check out for almost 45 minutes. Yep, their computer system was down, and they didn't bother to let anyone in line know. Even long-hand, I could've written at least 2 to 3 more new pages. But I had to stay because we need a new battery for our base phone. Two more days until Mercury turns direct and things settle down.

Hopefully today will be better.

~A

The ill MIL

2006-11-14T11:36:00.000-06:00

DH called and found out him mom's been in the hospital for the past week. Of course she didn't want anyone to worry, so she didn't tell anyone! Nasty things, kidney stones. She's home and doing better, thank goodness, but not going to make it up for T-day.

Who else is coming in? Brother-in-law? Maybe?

I have no idea, because no one tells me until the last minute!

Going to my Tai CHi class now, then back to writing.

Grrr . . .

~A

Powering Up

2006-11-10T09:25:00.000-06:00

Okay, the last few days have been almost too smooth. I've editted almost 100 pages on my WIP (not the new NaNo story), and I'm trying to figure out when the monkey-wrench is going to drop.

(sigh)

Okay, I'm just going to keep going and hopefully it'll be smooth sailing through the weekend. :-)

~A

T-Day Planning

2006-11-09T10:09:00.000-06:00

Not to be confused with "D" day. But sometimes I think it's the same thing.

My sister emailed to find out our plans, and, well, my DH informed me his mom is coming. And his brother. And I don't know who else.

So, I emailed my sister back to plan this shindig. We figured the moms would have a nice chit-chat and enjoy the grandkids. I've frantically pulled out my recipes and check out the pantry (defintely lacking!), and in short, I NEED to schedule an extra shopping day. I usually do this every year, it just sneaked up on my this year.

And writing? Well, it's getting done, slowly. More on that later.

~A

Chaos Rules!

2006-11-07T09:19:00.000-06:00

Oh, geez, so many pages to write, so little time! So many errands, a family to do for, animals wanting food, and we need groceries again. Gotta get toilet paper! And vote!

No, wait, I did the early voting thing last week. (Thanks goodness)

Making a list . . .

Oh, yeah, and the holiday season's started!

Goody. Now I can't sleep until Dec.

~A

Maybe Baby

2006-11-05T07:15:00.000-06:00

Seems like I'm getting the hang of this new story. It's been bothering me to start, so I've started working on it already (yep, even before I've finished the last one). So far, so good, as the baby steps see to be working and the chapter is almost completed.

~A

FP

2006-11-04T08:57:00.000-06:00

52,388 / 50,000
(104.8%)

THE END!!!

~A :-)
(doing the happily-ever-after dance)

I Did It Again

2006-11-01T09:08:00.000-06:00

Well, I've jumped head-first into the NaNoWriMo challenge. (Geez, what have I gotten myself into now???) I *think* I'll be able to complete my current WIP and start the next one within the week, so I won't really be behind. I've already plotted out the new story (no title yet), and I pretty much know the main characters. A bit of a departure from my norm, as it's a contemporary paranormal instead of a futuristic/SF.

We'll see how this goes.

Wish me luck.

~A

Update & Getting Organized

2006-10-30T16:51:00.000-06:00

Maybe. I haven't updated in a while, and having decided to take on the NaNoWriMo challenge again this year, I thought I'd better get to it:

ST -

87,500 / 100,000
(87.5%)

FP -

35,750 / 50,000
(71.5%)

Okay, so about the getting organized part, well, it's more like figuring out how much time I what to spend on writing down the stories in my head. This month, I was challenged to write a 70K, but I had to alter it to 50K because the story is working out like it wants to be logically finished at 200 pages, which is perfectly okay by me. This week I'm taking 2 online workshops that promise to be very helpful and informative (Candy Havens' Revision Hell, and Terry Spears' Feeling Rejected??). I'm looking forward to both. :-)

In Nov. for NaNoWriMo (Natl. Novel Writer's Month - check out their website), I've plotted out a contemporary paranormal romance story about an average everyday witch living in the motral world who doesn't want to fall in love with the king of the werewolves. And in December, I have 2-3 short stories planned just to give myself a break from the long stuff.

For the holidays, I'm going to break out the baking stuff (of course!) and have fun. My family always begs for fudge and cookies and pecan pie and candies, so I have them collecting nuts from the 4 pecan trees on our property. They shell 'em, and I bake with 'em. That's the deal, and it works like a charm every time.

That's about it right now.

CURRENT MOOD = okay

PAGES WRITTEN TODAY = 4 pages detailed outline for DBWB

MUSIC = silence is golden

AFFIRMATION = I think I can, I think I can, I think I can . . . That's right, I'll just keep telling myself that. ;-)

ACTIVITIES = walked 1 mile, biked 8 miles, got scared by 1 spook at the gym (actually was funny because a friend sneaked up behind me), step aerobics = 45 minutes, weight training = 15 minutes, abs = taking the day off.

DINNER = baked chicken and potatoes with steamed veggies

~A

Early Retro

2006-10-20T09:48:00.001-05:00

CURRENT MOOD: Annoyed

PAGES WRITTEN: 0

CURRENT MUSIC: none

DAILY AFFIRMATION: I'm learning to manage my time wisely.

DAILY ACTIVITY: Walked son to school and back total = 1/2 mile (30 minutes). At the gym: 5 miles on the bike (25 min), Tai Chi (30 min), Pilates (45 min), Step Aerobics and free-weights (60 min), stretching (15 min).

To Do List: Rush order at work and to post office = 2-1/2 hours.

Mercury goes retrograde on Oct 22, which means trouble with communication and transportation of any sort. And I've already seen the beginning effects, which can start up to a week early. Yesterday at the fabric store, I was standing in the checkout line and gazing at all those cute "can't live without" items on the stand.

Well, I happened to remember my 5-yo had what looked like a black ink spot on his white shirt, and I picked up a little bottle of interesting spot remover and decided to buy it. The folks in front of me tried to complete their checkout, but the computerized register system hung up. After about five minutes, the cashier (nice and smart lady I've dealt with many times over the past several years) called the manager and moved to the second register to check me out. I had a debit card, which also hung up.

Another ten minutes passed, and the first register finally cleared itself and a new cashier found she was able to accept cash, then checked several more people from the growing line. But, she also got hung up when she tried to run a check.

In the mean time, I still had a RUSH order at work to get back to and complete and get into the mail by Priority TODAY. I told myself to be calm, and that things would work out. The "help" desk for the register system was on the phone to the manager and offered no help, just thinly veiled accusasions the cashiers weren't doing their jobs right. Arrgh!!

Then the first register cleared, and the cashier was able to again accept cash payments. I didn't have enough cash for my purchase, which is why I wanted to use my debit card. It dawned on me that if I didn't have Granny's spot remover, I could make my purchase by cash. I told my cashier this, and she moved to yet a third register and got me checked out quickly with a cash sale.

Fate tends to work in mysterious ways, I've found, for our best interest (though we might not see it as such right away). Maybe I didn't need the spot remover, and by the computer system malfunctioning plus my not having enough cash, I was kept from a frivoulous impulse purchase. I have two other spot removers at home already, I just meed to dig them out and see if either will work on the ink spot.

The RUSH job was completed and mailed on time, but again, not without incident. My printer said it was out of ink, but it printed my mailing label anyway. Not a great print, but still readable. I had a bad feeling about it. Since this was an important order, I stood in line at the post office for an extra 20 minutes (typical, but not too bad) to get my package checked in. I got the counter, but the label wouldn't scan. It wouldn't acknowledge the manually keyed number code either.

The gal knows me and also knew from my label I had paid for my shipping online, so she kept at it. About the dozenth time, the system accepted the number, and she added her little coded label to show she had already seen it at our end. I walked out of the post office after thirty-five minutes, or what usual would've taken me two minutes to drop the package on the check-in counter and get back out to my car.

Mercury's at it again. The Retro in March '06 was more frustrating then problematic for me, and this summer in July '06, it wasn't nearly as bad as it could've been, with mostly only delays. Since in Astrology my Sun is in Gemini (ruled by Mercury), I learned very early in life to duck and cover during these times so I could avoid as many problems as possible. Three times per year for three weeks I don't force issues and try to go with the flow more than usual, which sort of gives me a bit of a rest anyway.

Starting on Oct 28 to Nov 18, watch out for communication and transportation problems. Arrange a little extra time for things to save you headaches.

~A

Early Retro

2006-10-20T09:48:00.000-05:00

FP

2006-10-11T08:34:00.000-05:00

I slowed down a little . . .

33,250 / 70,000
(47.5%)

. . . but I'm still writing. :-)

~A

Back to Work . . . Tomorrow

2006-10-09T15:19:00.000-05:00

I'm having too much fun today playing online and not writing, a hold-over from this past weekend at my family reunion. But, in all fairness, it is Columbus Day, and just about everyone I know is off work. Today is also the first day of the monthly BIAW I do with one of my online RWA chapters, and I did do a little writing this morning, plus I plan on doing more this afternoon. Since working at home means I don't usually get days off, I decided to putz around for awhile. Take a look at what I came up with:

So, as I digress into fantasyland, I feel pretty good about being compared to some of these ladies with my no-makeup pic that taken at our local Renaissance Faire this past spring. And now that I'm feeling pretty good, I'll go write something profound from my heroine's point of view.

~A

MLE -- Out Again

2006-09-30T23:44:00.000-05:00

MLE is offically out the door to another publisher who wanted to read the full. Now I get to play the waiting game again. But I still have ST to finish editing for the other requested full for a different publisher.

I also sort of slacked off the past few days on FP due to my day-job demands. I'm about halfway completed with the first draft, and I'll be hitting it hard this week to get all the juicy story tidbits out of my brain and into my computer, and hopefully finished. ;-)

~A

ST & FP

2006-09-28T10:44:00.000-05:00

ST =

85,500 / 100,000
(85.5%)

FP =

32,000 / 70,000
(45.7%)

Progress - ST & FP

2006-09-24T08:11:00.000-05:00

ST -

71,750 / 100,000
(71.8%)

FP -

23,500 / 70,000
(33.6%)

Still going strong. :-)

~A

ST & FP and More

2006-09-21T11:35:00.000-05:00

ST -

64,500 / 100,000
(64.5%)

FP -

15,000 / 70,000
(21.4%)

And one of my favorite procrastination subjects . . . naked men --

http://perseph2hades.livejournal.com/116088.html

The perfect guy for my hero, Ransom Masters, in "Forbidden Pleasures" is the 8th picture down, right after the gorgeous ass shot. (LOVE his muscular thighs, OMG yummy!) I'd let this hunk tie my hands any day--oops--I mean, I'd watch him tie his hands any day, LOL.

~A

(I'm finally breathing normally again . . . well, sort of. But what an inspiration to WRITE about! ;-))

A Request for MLE & Progress on ST

2006-09-18T15:45:00.000-05:00

Sometimes the Universe acts in mysterious ways. Today I got a request for a full (MLE) from NCP. I still have a few days until my crit group gets the chapters back to me before I panic and send it on the editor. But, hey, I can look at it like this: I'm 50/50 with one "R" and one full request on only two queries.

I dun good. :-)

And, over the next two weeks I'm also participating in Fast Draft (by Candy Havens), and this is day one. So far, I've written 8 pages out of my required daily 20, and my goal is a 70K first draft mss I can then expand upon in edits. I'm still not sure about a title yet, but I'm leaning towards "Forbidden Pleasures," which I like very much for the characters (hint: the heroine is a feisty support character in MLE). So I'll be working double-time on both stories. Here's my total for FP:

2,000 / 70,000
(2.9%)

And about my progress on ST . . .

53,500 / 100,000
(53.5%)

He faced her, his tone cold. "Pleasure and pain are two facets of the same gemstone. My business is to know each to it's greatest intimate effect."

Okay, back to work now. ;-)

~A

ST

2006-09-15T16:48:00.000-05:00

MUSIC - Jon Jenkins "CrossOver" - BlueMars, Music For The Space Traveler

MOOD - enthralled

40,750 / 100,000
(40.8%)

"I am keeping to my agenda." He stalked closer, knowing she didn't know which directive he referred to.

~A :-)

ST

2006-09-14T07:56:00.000-05:00

Moving along . . .

33,750 / 100,000
(33.8%)

ST

2006-09-12T14:47:00.000-05:00

Some progress. :-)

28,250 / 100,000
(28.2%)

Onward . . .

2006-09-10T15:44:00.000-05:00

Well, ranting and grumbling the other night made me feel a lot better. And today I'm doing something about it. I'm researching more on agents and the publishing business. I'm also revising my Agents list (to query to). At least I'm thankful the latest "R" didn't take three months (or three years!) to appear. So . . .

It's onward I go, to submit my work again this week.

Wish me luck.

~A

MLE - Rejected

2006-09-08T16:15:00.000-05:00

Well, I didn't have to wait long at all for this one, a mere three weeks, garnished with (drum roll, please . . .) another form rejection letter that specifically laid out exactly what they wanted like I didn't bother to read their guidelines. I even got my submission back, in *pristine* order. Makes me wonder if some actually read my story or synopsis or just my cover letter. :-/

Okay, off to do more research about what pub accepts shorter stories.

~A

ST

2006-09-08T14:37:00.000-05:00

Curse you page 101, an your inevitable betrayal!!

Needless to say, I found an inconsistency and had to back up several pages. :-p Not happy about it, BUT at least I did catch the problem.

25,250 / 100,000
(25.3%)

ST

2006-09-06T15:04:00.000-05:00

Feeling a bit better today, but still under the weather.

25,500 / 100,000
(25.5%)

Back To Work

2006-09-05T08:47:00.000-05:00

Well, after a nice long holiday weekend I have the flu. Blahhhhhhh... I'm full of Dayquil and going to try to stay on my writing schedule and get some pages done. Keeping my fingers crossed for at least 5 more pages.

~A

Plotting Not Plodding

2006-09-03T17:28:00.000-05:00

Another one of my online, month-long workshops began today, one of my favorites, Plotting For Un-Dummies. I LOVE teaching this class! There are so many possibilities and directions for my students to go with their writing. I always have fun, and I think I learn as much from those taking my classes as they do from me (at least, I hope so ;-)).

Lots of work to do, especially since I'm almost 1/4-way through editing ST. I'm going to enjoy it.

21,250 / 100,000
(21.3%)

ST

2006-09-01T10:03:00.000-05:00

16,250 / 100,000
(16.3%)

Busy, busy, busy . . .

~A

More fun

2006-08-31T13:54:00.000-05:00

Find me on MySpace and be my friend!

~A

ST

2006-08-28T17:23:00.000-05:00

Re-editting and final polish due to a request for a full:

12,250 / 100,000
(12.3%)

MLE -- Finished

2006-08-26T16:14:00.000-05:00

23,876 / 23,000
(103.8%)

And . . .

Thanks so much "M" for the kick in the butt you left on my doorstep, your thoughtfulness is VERY much appreciated. ;-)

~A

A Day In The Life

2006-08-07T16:17:00.000-05:00

My dad always told me when I was growing up, "If you work hard, you'll get somewhere in life and achieve whatever you want." I've believed this for so long, even though it never seemed to happen. I've worked many years for two major corporations before deciding to be a SAHWM (Stay At Home Working Mom), and I just don't know any more. My dad's advise may have worked for him, but it's never worked for me, no matter how hard I've tried (and believe me, I've really, really spent a LOT of time on the trying part!).

It takes a solid, string foundation for a building to stand firm on and folks can be confident in. One corner cracks, and it can tumbles into rubble and dust. People can be the same way. We go through life learning and spending time perfecting our knowledge in our chosen field. We spend obscene amounts of money on a good education, hocking everything to get ahead. Then we take entry-level positions in hopes to rise through our achievements. Fortunately, most of the time, this strategy works, and we don't have to start all over.

But Fate has a nasty way of intervening. It's nice to get positive feedback (hell, even just feedback!), even when it accompanies a rejection letter from a publisher. You learn, you adapt, you modify, you move on. Sometimes, though, the ladder of success seems impossibly tall and unachievable, especially when you never get a nibble. So, why keep on trying to get published? Am I stupid of something??

I've been told I'm a great writer by critiquers and judges. I've even placed and won writing contests with several different stories. I also have a folder full of rejection letters and a few form rejections (those skewed copies with a list of what's wrong with a submission that an over-worked editorial assistant quickly checks off and sends back in your SASE). The vast majority of the time mine have been plain-Jane vanilla rejections, I don't even get the letter with that list, and I have NO IDEA WHY I've been rejected or what I can do to fix the problem to make a story more salable.

Frustration makes it more and more difficult to concentrate on writing. I feel like my Muse has deserted or perhaps is laughing at me for even trying to have a career. Maybe I should just be content with being a stay at home mom. I dunno right now.

I have two scenes left to complete MLE, and I can't seem to get those last few pages out of my head and into the computer. Oh, the story's done, just not written down. And right now I'm wondering why the hell I bother when I don't even get nibbles. BTW, my very first rejection letter was back in 1986. Why do I try so hard?????

Nope, no rejection this month (yet). I just feel like a frustrated failure. Me, a writer? Damn right. I wrote this, didn't I?

Okay, I have laundry to go fold.

~A

MLE - revised goal

2006-07-23T11:42:00.000-05:00

I have to add a few additional pages to my goal, because I've already ran over my original. New goal is 22,000 words for this story.

~A

20,363 / 22,000
(92.6%)

MLE - synopsis

2006-07-18T16:34:00.000-05:00

Made nice progress today with 10 more pages. Last line written:

An eeriness crept over her. Someone had obviously not taken time to put things right, and it hadn’t been Adam.

~A

16,641 / 20,000
(83.2%)