Time Off

Once I sent the materials in to MWW I decided to take a day or two off...bad mistake. Got absolutely nothing done and of course could kick myself for it. I'm not a reluctant writer but I do get distracted by projec ts like keeping the house relatively clutter-free (and I'm not doing too well at that either) and getting clothes ready for donations and myself ready for work. Add to that the scenario of me needing a nap and I think what I truly have is a case of writer's anxiety. The back of my already cluttered mind keeps working overtime on the ideas of having to pitch to an agent and get a coherent query going. And, to be honest, the days between May 19th and July 19th are not my favorites. Weather aside, and we have had weather,. I lost my dad on May 19th,2005 , my mom (long ago)June 1st, and my best friend on July 19th,2005. This weekend I got news that another close friend had left this planet. Coincidence or not, both she and my best friend died from lung cancer, both died before I could really say good-bye, and both died the day before my feel better presents of books arrived. So, I'm allowing myself to mourn...again. And, I hate the moving and sorting and packaging and shredding of the stuff I have to move, sort, package and shred. So, for today (as I did yesterday), I choose escapism in the form of Lee Childs' Jack Reacher. Tomorrow is another day...and one I will use to its fullest. That I promise me!

Randomness

I sent off the materials to Midwest Writers Workshop yesterday. In the hands of the faculty now I suppose. At any rate, I still have a pitch to craft and a query letter to re-edit for the agent pitch. Not exciting stuff but not easy either. I write stories better than I craft queries and such. I wonder if other writers feel the same way. Time will tell I guess. That and some talks with other aspiring and published authors in 6 weeks. This is a challenge for me in more ways than one...a writers' only conference, driving to an unfamiliar place, hoping my work is good enough to at least merit comments and good critiques. My daughter, wise for her years, tells me this is a growth experience...I want to say, Why in the heck did it take so long?!?
On other matters(I said this was random, remember?), I've just finished the most amazing two books by Suzanne Collins, Hunger Games and Chasing Fire. Amazing because they're written for older kids and young adults but riveting...as riveting as a good thriller, because the writing is fantastic! Collins cuts no corners here and expects her audience to pay attention. There are plots, subplots, and intriguing characters as well as a gutsy heroine who makes choices even an adult would cringe at having to consider. The third in the seires, Mockingjay, comes out this August and I will be there...as eager to read the further adventures of Katniss Everdeen as I am to read the latest risktaking of Jack Reacher.
Add to that the exellence of Andrew Gross in his latest thriller Reckless. Terrorists attacking the US through use and misuse of major banks? Almost too real these days and therefore disturbing and a page turner.
See why I fight for time to write? I'm almost too engrossed in learning from some of the best by reading their works.
Off the my 'day job' now, and a local production of Picasso at the Lapin Agile later.
More randoms thoughts on most of this later. Happy Thursday!

Best Laid Plans

Color me pitiful. Just when I thought I was on track with my synopsis and first 5 for the Midwest Writers Workshop (not to mention the 10 pages for the manuscript session), I got the gift of a cold...complete with watery eyes, runny nose, stuffed up sinues, cough...the complete package. Eat, sleep, work, sleep, take meds. Not writing, or at least nothing I'm pleased with. I think my brain is clogged. Still, I do need the rest, and I still have time before the deadline. And I'm trying to get a short story done for a contest...so far, the plot is only partly thickened.
Anyone have a good recipe for a hot toddy? Oh...and buy stock in Unilever and Tylenol...I'm keeping them in business :o)

Ole!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Have you ever wondered why we celebrate holidays that don't really belong to the US? Hallmark doesn't do Cinco De Mayo cards, or at least I don't think they do, schools don't close (although some school classes may talk about the importance of May 5 to the Hispanic World), banks are open, and there are no major parades. The answer might lie in the fact that Cinco de Mayo is an excuse to indulge in two of America's favorite things...tacos and margaritas. Food. Eating. An excuse to party. And perhaps the fact that part of this country once belonged to Mexico? Just a thought.

The writing and query process is coming along. Slow but steady. The five page synopsis is now one page. Tight fit, but writers who say that adjectives and qualifying phrases are overkill could be right...at least as far as the synopsis is concerned. I've researched some agents as well and note that some still prefer snail mail over e-mail for queries. This is somehow reassuring to me. With all the flash about e-readers and digital books, it is nice to know paper is still a viable way to communicate. :o) The process is longer, which can be nerve wracking, but somehow e-mail forms are more intimidating than the skill reqired to craft a good letter. Ah well, my age is showing, and I can adapt. Tomorrow is a quest for stamps and business envelopes. One more step.

One year later

Felled by some health issues, I've finally gotten back to where I was a year ago. Sending out queries...and working on book 2 of my trilogy. Still not published, nor did any of the agents who requested my words accept me as a client. One, in fact, never bothered to return an e-mail at all.
Oh well, it is what it is :o) Now, in addition to plugging away at perfecting my first book about the Carstairs, I'm writing a short story about the villain in my second book...partly to give him some backstory and partly because I think he's a hoot. My daughter gave me a one day seminar on fiction's subtleties...nothing like the Oregon coast in April to get the juices flowing. It helped that my instructor was Jessica Morrell, editor and author. That fact that she thought my writing was good did much to make me feel more confident. I learned quite a bit, got some constructive criticism from complete strangers, and am determined to continue.
That includes posting here, if only for myself...and not only about my favorite twins, Phil and Sam, but about other things I learn along the way. Stay tuned.