I'm having fun at the convention. I'm getting lots of books, meeting some neat authors, sort of learning stuff (most of my learning consisted of the two-day pre-con class I took, the workshop panels are mostly chat rooms), and pitched my novel to an agent (will send her 10 pages when I get home). But what I'm really not enjoying is the parties. I'm not a party girl. Never was, never will be.
At least I can now say that I did it, which is a shock all in itself. Maybe next year I'll make it to RWA Nationals. I hear it's more business oriented.
But as much fun as I'm having, I'll sure be glad when the convention is over and I can get back to writing!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Penguins Advance!
After a disappointing loss on Thursday (triple overtime, no less), the Penguins pulled it back together and won tonight in overtime (after being down 0-3 at one time), advancing to the next stage. Boy, am I glad. If Ottawa had won, I wouldn't have been able to watch game 7, since I would be at the RT Convention (and without cable at my friend's house).
Go Pens!
Go Pens!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Yippee!
Confidence levels are up – way up. And I’m working on Chapter 1 again.
What does one have to do with the other? Everything. Yesterday I got the results back from a contest I had entered in January. It was a contest I knew I hadn’t finalized (since those were released earlier) and at first I was a little apprehensive to see how “badly” I had done.
Well, shock me! Dropping the lowest score, I averaged 95.7. I was so close to finalizing! The comments were very encouraging. All the judges thought the story was worth polishing and they were hooked and wanted to read more. Oh joy oh joy oh joy!
This news couldn’t have come at a better time. I have a pitch session with an agent next Thursday (at the convention). I’m feeling pretty good right about now. Of course, I’ll probably still be a nervous wreck when the appointment arrives!
Oh yes, and the Penguins won last night. Up 3-1. It was a very good day yesterday!
What does one have to do with the other? Everything. Yesterday I got the results back from a contest I had entered in January. It was a contest I knew I hadn’t finalized (since those were released earlier) and at first I was a little apprehensive to see how “badly” I had done.
Well, shock me! Dropping the lowest score, I averaged 95.7. I was so close to finalizing! The comments were very encouraging. All the judges thought the story was worth polishing and they were hooked and wanted to read more. Oh joy oh joy oh joy!
This news couldn’t have come at a better time. I have a pitch session with an agent next Thursday (at the convention). I’m feeling pretty good right about now. Of course, I’ll probably still be a nervous wreck when the appointment arrives!
Oh yes, and the Penguins won last night. Up 3-1. It was a very good day yesterday!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Crash & Burn
Today I woke up with ideas. Conversations were buzzing in my head. It had all the signs of a good writing day.
However, I had to go to work. Conversations stopped and the ideas disappeared. Oh WHY didn’t I write them down???
Heavy sigh!
However, I had to go to work. Conversations stopped and the ideas disappeared. Oh WHY didn’t I write them down???
Heavy sigh!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Penguins Up 2 - 1
Do you know how hard it is to write when you’re watching a hockey game? Down right impossible, but I managed to get some done (the twenty minutes between periods help).
Penguins are another game closer. Two more wins and they're in the next round. Go Pens!
Penguins are another game closer. Two more wins and they're in the next round. Go Pens!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Writing Time
Wow! I actually have two nights in a row of actually getting some editing done. I think when I’m done with this round, I’ll take some advice I read on another blog today. Put the book away for about a month. Write something else.
Sure, I’ll be pitching the darn thing at the end of the month, and hopefully sending a query and synopsis based upon that pitch, but I think I’ll be putting the book away for a month when I’m done with this last round of editing. I mean, what are the odds that I’ll snag an agent on my first try? Of course, stranger things have happened…
But kidding aside, I want to write something else. I have two ideas floating in my brain right now. I’ll just have to see which one holds my interest more. I need to write something that can stand on its own. Not a sequel (even though I’m 20,000 words into that). If I can’t get THE UNCOMMON ONE published, what’s the use in the sequel? Of course, I’ll eventually write it because it wants to be written. Can’t ignore that!
Sure, I’ll be pitching the darn thing at the end of the month, and hopefully sending a query and synopsis based upon that pitch, but I think I’ll be putting the book away for a month when I’m done with this last round of editing. I mean, what are the odds that I’ll snag an agent on my first try? Of course, stranger things have happened…
But kidding aside, I want to write something else. I have two ideas floating in my brain right now. I’ll just have to see which one holds my interest more. I need to write something that can stand on its own. Not a sequel (even though I’m 20,000 words into that). If I can’t get THE UNCOMMON ONE published, what’s the use in the sequel? Of course, I’ll eventually write it because it wants to be written. Can’t ignore that!
Monday, April 12, 2010
A Good Weekend
It was a good weekend.
That surprised me. I got myself all stressed out for nothing.
True, Saturday was busy. But it was productive, too. I met two wonderful people, people I hope become my critique partners. I even learned some more writing fundamentals, or at least, it was drilled into my head again. Maybe I’ll retain that information now!
And from that little class, my writing flowed. Well, my editing did, anyway. I went back to Chapter 1 and added the insight of my characters (along with their motivation). I hope to find out sometime this week if I finally “got” it.
I went from being stressed to feeling great. It didn’t hurt that I took SOME of the pressure off myself by only concentrating on the first three chapters. Then I’ll work on my synopsis and pitch. I think I’ll make it by the RT Convention. I’m feeling more confident, anyway.
That surprised me. I got myself all stressed out for nothing.
True, Saturday was busy. But it was productive, too. I met two wonderful people, people I hope become my critique partners. I even learned some more writing fundamentals, or at least, it was drilled into my head again. Maybe I’ll retain that information now!
And from that little class, my writing flowed. Well, my editing did, anyway. I went back to Chapter 1 and added the insight of my characters (along with their motivation). I hope to find out sometime this week if I finally “got” it.
I went from being stressed to feeling great. It didn’t hurt that I took SOME of the pressure off myself by only concentrating on the first three chapters. Then I’ll work on my synopsis and pitch. I think I’ll make it by the RT Convention. I’m feeling more confident, anyway.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Why Is It?
Why is it when you’re in a hurry to get to work (or anywhere for that matter), you get behind a slow driver and can’t get around him?
That’s pretty much how I’m feeling about my writing right now. I want to work on my book. I want to finish my current edit before the RT Convention (and my pitch to an agent). But commitments are in my way and I want to honk my horn.
Of course, I have no one to blame but myself. I got myself into this predicament. I need to get myself out of it. If it means less sleep, then maybe that’s what I need to do. I can always sleep in May!
That’s pretty much how I’m feeling about my writing right now. I want to work on my book. I want to finish my current edit before the RT Convention (and my pitch to an agent). But commitments are in my way and I want to honk my horn.
Of course, I have no one to blame but myself. I got myself into this predicament. I need to get myself out of it. If it means less sleep, then maybe that’s what I need to do. I can always sleep in May!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Go Penguins!
Yesterday we drove to Pittsburgh to see the Penguins play. It’s their last season in the Igloo (Mellon Arena), and we just had to visit one last time (that's me with my daughter in the picture).
When we planned the trip (back in the fall), we knew we had to go on a Saturday, and the game had to be during the day, or else we would have to find a place to stay (since our dear friend moved from the area to Columbus, to be closer to us).
After checking tickets for every Saturday we were available, we finally found a game that wasn’t already sold out (their second to last home game). So for our second (and last) game at the Igloo, we were set to see the Penguins play the Atlanta Thrashers.
Our plans also included a visit to Peppi’s. They are the home of the Roethlisburger – in honor of Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s a sub with hamburger, hot sausage, and egg, to name some of the ingredients, that my husband fell in love with (it didn’t hurt that it was named after his favorite player, either).
So, without our friend to guide us (we’d never driven into the city on our own; we’ve always been chauffeured), we managed to drive there and find a place to park without getting lost (which in itself is really a major feat for us, and we own a Garmin).
The game was great (Penguins won in over time: 4-3), and so was the meal. No, I didn’t have a Roethlisburger (not a fan of hot sausage - and egg & hamburger? No thank you); I stuck with the cheesesteak & mushrooms. YUM!
Our daughter is hinting (heavily) to get tickets next season so we can see them play in the new stadium (which is right next door to the Igloo). Knowing us, it'll probably happen. Right now I'll just watch them on TV (at least once the playoffs start - can't get them very often otherwise). Go Penguins!!
After checking tickets for every Saturday we were available, we finally found a game that wasn’t already sold out (their second to last home game). So for our second (and last) game at the Igloo, we were set to see the Penguins play the Atlanta Thrashers.
Our plans also included a visit to Peppi’s. They are the home of the Roethlisburger – in honor of Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s a sub with hamburger, hot sausage, and egg, to name some of the ingredients, that my husband fell in love with (it didn’t hurt that it was named after his favorite player, either).
The game was great (Penguins won in over time: 4-3), and so was the meal. No, I didn’t have a Roethlisburger (not a fan of hot sausage - and egg & hamburger? No thank you); I stuck with the cheesesteak & mushrooms. YUM!
Our daughter is hinting (heavily) to get tickets next season so we can see them play in the new stadium (which is right next door to the Igloo). Knowing us, it'll probably happen. Right now I'll just watch them on TV (at least once the playoffs start - can't get them very often otherwise). Go Penguins!!
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