Sunday, March 30, 2008

Spellchecker!

What's the most amount of pages that you've gone before you ran your spellchecker?
I went 144 pages - what a mess!
Actually, I haven't even reread any of it since about page 20!

I already know there are huge chunks to be moved and removed. I'll have to very carefully outline and document the changes that I make especially given so much time elapses between writing sessions.

What sort of writing advice do you seek?

When you give a friend/family your novel, what sort of advice are you after?
Are you looking for general thoughts and impressions? Do you like it when people give you advice on what they'd do with the story, as if they were writing it?

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Just a little change?

Ever made a little change in your writing to realize it was quite a huge change?
Do you tend to stick to your outline or initial ideas or are you open to changing in midstream if a new idea presents itself?

Friday, March 28, 2008

Bloggers helping bloggers

Can we demonstrate that behind the net of bloggers are people willing to help?
A blogger is seeking help to raise funds for a mother who has been diagnosed with cancer.
They want to hold an auction, can you donate items? Can you add a link to their blog on your blog or your website? Can you donate directly to the fund?
Every little bit helps.
http://beyondthemap.blogspot.com/2008/03/coming-together.html

Life is wonderful!

It's been a great day!
Met friends for coffee in the morning (Panera now has an egg sandwhich), then on to a bit of shopping at BJ's, afterwhich I went to another friend's house to keep her company for a few hours. She's pregnant and has been ordered to 'take it easy' for a week.
I stayed at her house until I had to go home to meet the cable company.

I've had time to get in another page for Into This Mind: Talia and I have 3 sleeping kittens currently on my lap! It makes writing all the more enjoyable knowing I make a nice piece of furniture for my kittens to rest on.

I was really looking forward to coming home today and working on my novel a bit more. I've slowly been getting more motivated to write again.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Recent writing effort -inlineplanet.com

Here is an article I wrote about a motivated skater who is trying to help out a sick friend: http://www.inlineplanet.com/08/03/fundraiser.html

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Tweeking a few paragraphs and moving forward

Woohoo, actually managed to get some writing time in on the next in the series of Into This Mind.
I had hoped to add some new lines, however, I ended up spending most of my time on the last few paragraphs.
Ever go in, change a line, then realize that one little change shifted the meaning of both that paragraph and the one before and after? It was that sort of change.
It feels good to visit Jena and her new friends again.

I've been reading Tia's writing blog which has been helping me to recharge and get more motivated to write more.

There's been a number of reasons that I haven't written for over a month. One of them being my dissappointment with my publisher. I finally took my publisher up on their offer to release me from my contract. I've been really upset about this practice they have of putting their authors books for sale only on Lulu. Lulu is a self publish site and anyone can use it. I didn't know when I signed my contract that putting my book on Lulu was their intention and based on the response this received on some of the forums I post on, I gathered it wasn't a typical for a traditional publisher to do

Other things that have been keeping me busy: my basement (I had work done on it.), volunteering (I helped out with Extreme Home Makeover Home Edition when they were in my home town), wrote an article for inlineplanet.com about Chris Howley and his quest to help his friend John Carter (I'll post the link once it's available), and my darling and adorable kittens (to of which are sleeping on my lap.)

Between volunteering and my kittens I'm a pretty happy person in spite of my dissappointment with my first published book.

Since my publisher never actually published my book anywhere other then Lulu, am I still published?

Although people can't order a copy from Lulu (my publisher removed the link),there are still books for sale from the first printing that can be ordered.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Rolling for John Carter

I belong on an Inline Industry Skating List and I heard about a man, Chris Howley, working to raise money for a sick friend, John Carter. It was quite touching!
He plans to skate 100 miles in one day to earn money for his friend and coworker!

www.active.com/donate/RollinForCarter

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Sick Mayor in Randolph, Iowa

A $5 bounty is being offered for each feral feline turned in that will then be taken to a vet and killed. This is Randolph's solution to a feral cat problem that originated from someone dumping their cat in the wild. So human irresponsibility is perpetuated by cruelty and more irresponsibility.

What sort of sick message does this send to the children of Randolph on how to treat animals? What sort of person is capable of such cruelty? Would you want to work along side them?
Spread the outrage! Voice your concern! Write to the government of Iowa and complain!
Governor's Office: http://www.governor.iowa.gov/ Tell your friends.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Too many stories in my head

In addition to the next in the Into This Mind series, I have yet another idea for a book, that brings the total to 8 other ideas for books. In order to ward off the panic and the frustration of realizing how long it will take, I don't follow the recommended writing a bit each day. Do others feel frustrated and overwhelmed and just full stop to get their bearings?

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Extreme Home Makeover - Home Edition - Paul and Renee are home

I didn't venture over there for the 'move the bus' as I heard that it would be crazy. As I was confident that there was a large crowd to greet them, I stayed home.
The Maynard Schools let out early to allow students and teachers to go to the site.
Today and tomorrow is site clean up, but it's snowing. When I went to check in for my volunteer traffic duty they said that they didn't currently need anyone, but to just show up at Marlboro Farms or something like that. I wasn't sure where she was talking about.
You could read about the Giunta's at wickedlocal.com/maynard. They have some nice photos on the site.
I heard Paul managed to walk through the door of his new home and I hope he makes a full recovery. I can't imagine how difficult it's been for the Giunta's since the birth of the daughter and Paul had an accident!