Thursday, May 6, 2010
Responsibility the pirate way.......argh!
I've been making goals for myself, when it comes to writing. Terri inspired me with her fabulous 30 pages a week goal that she not only made but is keeping! How awesome is that?
Me? Not so much. I wrote a few hundred words yesterday. A few hundred here and there over the last few weeks. But no forward progress, no new scenes or new chapters or new ideas.
It's the pirate version of being a responsible writer, right?
Arrrrrrggggghhh! I also need to be researching. I have all sorts of things I need to know for this book. Have I been doing it? NO! I ordered a book on undercover cops in bomb squads, so that will help. When it gets here. When I get around to reading it. My current novel is set in Spain too (WHY do I keep choosing these settings that require so much research? Next book, I'm setting it across the street).
Going along with the theme of being a "responsible" pirate, I was also absurdly late with this blog. But we're pirates, right?
What things in your life do you give the pirate-heave-ho to when it comes to being a responsible adult or writer? Anyone let the dishes pile up? Set your books next door so you don't have to research the setting? Put off revisions or the synopsis until you can't stand it? Come on wenches, time to fess up!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
In totally unrelated news, RWA has announced that its 2010 conference will officially be moving from Nashville to Orlando, due to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel closing due to the recent flooding. The new conference is at the Walt Disney Swan and Dolphin Resort, at the same price, with rooms for $149. No word about flights or those who already paid for the Nashville room. I know there's a lot of pirates planning on going to Nashville -- what does this do to your plans? Excited about going to Orlando instead?
Me? Not so much. I wrote a few hundred words yesterday. A few hundred here and there over the last few weeks. But no forward progress, no new scenes or new chapters or new ideas.
It's the pirate version of being a responsible writer, right?
Arrrrrrggggghhh! I also need to be researching. I have all sorts of things I need to know for this book. Have I been doing it? NO! I ordered a book on undercover cops in bomb squads, so that will help. When it gets here. When I get around to reading it. My current novel is set in Spain too (WHY do I keep choosing these settings that require so much research? Next book, I'm setting it across the street).
Going along with the theme of being a "responsible" pirate, I was also absurdly late with this blog. But we're pirates, right?
What things in your life do you give the pirate-heave-ho to when it comes to being a responsible adult or writer? Anyone let the dishes pile up? Set your books next door so you don't have to research the setting? Put off revisions or the synopsis until you can't stand it? Come on wenches, time to fess up!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
In totally unrelated news, RWA has announced that its 2010 conference will officially be moving from Nashville to Orlando, due to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel closing due to the recent flooding. The new conference is at the Walt Disney Swan and Dolphin Resort, at the same price, with rooms for $149. No word about flights or those who already paid for the Nashville room. I know there's a lot of pirates planning on going to Nashville -- what does this do to your plans? Excited about going to Orlando instead?
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64 comments:
Hal, I'm being less-than-responsible by reading blogs right now instead of working on some revisions. LOL It's kind of a HOA thing, I guess, because it FEELS like I'm doing market research, or learning about the publishing industry, stuff like that.
I know what you mean about picking a setting (or occupation) that requires new research. Aaaugh. I guess my brain is a little kid that needs new toys all the time! LOL It's not happy with the perfectly good research I already have available.
I'm less than the responsible writer these days. Though I'm trying hard to be a responsible baby incubator. As in, my writing goals have taken a back seat to getting enough rest. Before pregnancy, I'd just stay up late and drink way too much coffee the next morning to make me a tolerable mommy. As I'm not permitted the coffee IV, I'm actually having to get some sleep at night. Not fair.
And my focus is way off. I sit down to write and get easily distracted. I'm trying to figure out breast pumping and I'm trying to see if I'm forgetting any baby thing I might have trashed after offspring number one. Or something I wouldn't have needed with number one because he was born in the winter and this one is going to be born... soon, I hope.
So, that's my irresponsibility right now.
The whole switch to Orlando thing would have been awesome (not about the flooding of course, but strictly the geography thing) if I wasn't going to be knee deep in baby stuff this summer. I have family nearby, so it would have helped me get there this year.
Well, next year, I'm going to see. NYC is just a hop skip and jump away. :)
Market research by reading blogs! I love the hierarchy of avoidance -- I use that for setting research ALL the time!
I always think the same thing - that next time I'm going to use the research I have. I mean, why can't I write about someone who lives in my town and does my job? No research! Also a horrifically boring story, but . . .
I'm trying to ignore the pirate in me and the call of the open sea (Spring, woods, hiking, road trips).
Distracting, Aye? (Hugs)Indigo
As in, my writing goals have taken a back seat to getting enough rest.
Personally, Marn, I'm thinking rest is WAY more important than writing. Just a few more weeks, now, right? Woo hoo!
You could always drag George and the babies to Orlando and let *them* visit family :)
*singing to the tune of Mexican Hat Dance*
I'm going to Disney World. I'm going to Disney World. Lalalalala....
There, now that that's out of the way.
I'm so excited that I was able to inspire something other than Hottie research. Not that Hottie research isn't important.
I'm five pages behind on the weekly goal but I've met all other weeks so far. Written 163 pages since mission POS DRAFT BY JUNE kicked off. Should be at page 280 total by Sunday night.
Unfortunately, cleaning the house is what has gone by the wayside due to the deadline. I'm usually a stickler for clean floors and vacuuming all the time. Totally lax right now. I'm pretty sure running the sweeper (what I call the vacuum) is about to the be the newest item on kiddo's To Do list.
I wasn't going to Nashville, and was fine with that. But for some reason now I want to go to Orlando! LOL Ah well. I'm sure you guys will be giving great reports to the rest of us back here keeping things ship shape! LOL
I'm BEYOND impressed with your writing output, Bo'sun. Wow. When I was in retail, POS meant point-of-sale. I'm guessing that's not what it means here, right? :)
Donna - Flights into Orlando are so cheap and this hotel is cheaper than Nashville which was already lower than the last two years. You should do the math and see what you can finagle.
POS = Piece of Shit. :)
163 pages!!!! Holy Moly Ter!!!! That's incredible! You're just flying! Nicely done!
And I totally agree about adding vacuuming to the kiddo's list. She can totally handle that :)
I guessed right! So my prize is having your kiddo come over and vacuum MY place? LOL
Even with the good prices, I would need a magician to do something special with my finances before I could go. But hey, ya never know, right? I'll cross my fingers and click my heels, just in case!
Hal - I swear, it's like having an out of body experience. LOL! And totally makes me wonder why I could never do this before?! It's rough, of course, but I like the story even if the words need work.
Started the sex scene a little late last night so the H/H are currently in limbo on her bed. Everything off from the waist up. :)
Talk about coitus interruptus! LOL
Donna - If you paid her with some reward she really wanted, like say going to Disney World with you, she'd clean your whole house. LOL!
The fun part is I get to pick back up where we left off while sitting in the car outside an elementary school this evening. Should be interesting.
"When I was in retail, POS meant point-of-sale. I’m guessing that’s not what it means here, right?"
I automatically read it as Point-of-Sale as well. It took me a minute to realize it needed to be Piece-of-Shit. LOL
Ter, I'm totally impressed with your page output. Congrats on your hard work babe.
I'm not going to Nationals until I have something to pitch. In fact, I'm not attending another conference until I firmly make myself become a writer. Everything else is in the way right now. I'm walking in the writing woods with misty fog all around me and can't seem to find the path. Once I find it, then I will consider Nationals. If I go now, it will be a drunken network fest.
Super job, Terri! Pat yourself on the back for sticking with your goals so well! :)
I'm dragging to study for one last final late this afternoon...#4 in a row. I'm like, again? Nooooo!Yesterday's final was the toughest and took me the entire 2 hours. My stomach was growling like crazy and I had to pee. LOL (not funny at the time though!) Okay, taking off to the campus to force myself to study!
You must tell me your experience with picking up where you left off in a sex scene, Ter. For me, it's impossible. I have to erase and start over :(
If I go now, it will be a drunken network fest.
You say that as if it's a bad thing.
I do have to say part of this kick ass word count is the determination NOT to attend another National conference without having something to pitch.
Super-dooper Test Skillz to Melissa! You can do it!!!
Sin - It was late, I needed sleep. And we're really at the beginning. I'm sure if there was penetration, I would have made coffee and kept at it. LOL!
Terri, yay on meeting your goals, even if you are five pages behind. You're doing awesome!
I'm with Donna, unless a miracle happens I won't be going although I'd love to.
Hal, I decided to troll the blogs to look for inspiration, you know that feel-good-you-can-do-anything type of a blog, and I found a whip (guilt, I should be writing, not procrastinating). I'm trying not to let my head cold force me back to bed. I've got a lot of writing to do.
Bo'sun, that sounds like a deal -- housework done by somebody else AND Disney World. LOL I mean, seriously, we could all do our drunken network fest on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride! Wouldn't that be EPIC?
Melissa, LOL about taking the final while having to pee. Good luck on your last final.
Renee, the head cold exemption CLEARLY applies here. So get to bed with a hottie--er, I mean a hot water bottle. :) Feel better.
POS he he he Anyway, I actually am being a responsible writer right now. I’m making my daily goal—every day, even (except on weekends when the family takes precedence). On the Disney front, I’m thinking about it. For some reason hubby didn’t jump on this opportunity like I expected him to…mumbling about the extra cost and longer drive. We’ll see if I can bring him on over to my point of view. I need to do RWA this year. I’ve never been before and I will actually have something I want to pitch and for God’s sake it’s Disney! Kiddo’s never been and he’ll be over the moon.
Pirates in Orlando? It would be a drunken fest. We'd be on the POTC ride all day long.
I'm so completely irresponsible I woke up at 8:30 this morning and went, "It's not Saturday?" Then I went, "Holy shit! It's not Saturday!" and I scrabbled out of bed and called work, blubbering I was an idiot.
Deerhunter was worried when I called. "Well, yes, I understand you overslept. Did you think of a good excuse?" What excuse? Kidnapped by pirates?
"Um, no, I just said I overslept because I didn't hear my alarm." Then he was worried I would be in trouble. I told him I would be sure to call him as soon as they sent me to the Chine prison to serve out my sentence.
I haven't written anything since Monday night (which was one page--and I DELETED 10). I've been up till midnight the last three nights and suffering for it mightily.
I'm at a point where I want Adam to kiss Eve, and they're just not doing it. They keep dancing around each other like a bunch of idiots. I feel like Sebastian from The Little Mermaid, "Kiss the girl!" Only I swear a lot when I say it. So it's not exactly the same.
Hellie -- that gets the day off to such a wobbly start. And now you won't REALLY believe it when it IS Saturday! LOL
I bet they'd shut down the POTC ride every time they saw this band of pirates swaggering to get in line. LOL
I'm trying to get excited about doing some revisions. I went through each chapter and worked out what needs to be done -- but now that I've done that, I'm not that interested. LOL (This is why I can't plot ahead of time.)
Wish I could just hire someone to do the manufacturing part, while I do the design part. :)
Congrats, Ter, on meeting your writing goals. I envy you your discipline.
I have books to read, a couple of articles to revise, laundry & vacuuming & dusting to do, and a synopsis to finish. But I'm in a weird mood and can't summon the energy to do any of it. Today is nephew #2's birthday and we have a family pizza party tonight, so the housekeeping tasks have to be finished. I hope the enervation is just a reaction to new meds.
Orlando sounds like fun, but I'll be content with the reports and pics y'all send back. No conferences for me in the foreseeable future.
Sorry, work stuff got in the way. I'm catching up now!
Indigo, welcome aboard! I'd so much rather be outside enjoying this sunshine and wonderful weather! Of course, I justify it because it's healthy, and then it's no longer procrastination!
p.s. - awesome blog!
Wait a minute...pirates/responsibility... Isn't this an oxymoron? Oh, that's the idea! What do I heave ho?
Housework, yardwork, workwork... but the pirate stuff really helps. Certainly came forward and assisted when I pitched...
Orlando...I can get a redeye there, but where to hole up until I can check in... Terrio? When you gonna arrive and does your job offer any discount tickets???
I think Nashville would have been a quieter conference. Going to be hard to concentrate on the work of writing with Disney right outside the door...
I'd love to see us all on the POTC ride! ARRRRRR!
Sin - I have to agree that drunken networking could be fun :) But pitching is much more practical. Next year in NYC???
Ter - outside an elementary school? LMAO!!! "No Officer, I didn't come here for inspiration."
Melissa - good luck on the test! Hopefully as soon as these are over, you can go back to the really fun homework of writing for the summer!
Renee -- glad we could provide a kick in the pants this morning *g*. Did it work? Get anything written?
JK - nicely done with the page count! Hope you can talk the hubby into Disney - it sounds like a blast!
Hellie - that's always a mangled way to start the day. Though I wouldn't have thought to make up an excuse either. I don't lie well *g* Flat tire could have worked, or a wreck. A train? LOL. I found one article on the web once about outrageous excuses people use for being late to work, and one was "I had to shoot a squirrel" What kind of morning do you have to have to be in a position where shooting a squirrel becomes necessary?
I just reread what I write. Do I ever sound like I'm having a whopping pity party. I'm not really, just what my mother called a "bone-lazy day."
Thanks for all the congrats. And it's cracking me up that the word "discipline" could possibly be associated with me. LOL!
Happy Birthday to Nephew #2! May he be #1 today!
I'm going to be a total child for this entire trip. I'm already dreaming about having my own MM ears. Riding the POTC ride WITH Chance is going to be awesome. I can see the importance of the workshops diminishing by the minutes.
Terri, he's only #2 in age. They are all #1 in my affection.
I don't mind it so much. I have a lot of vacation hours; and nothing really kicks in around here until 9:30 anyway. (Unless it's registration week, which it's not.) Plus I ended up getting all 8 hours of sleep I'd been wanting. It worked out, I think.
Shoot a squirrel. I'll have to use that. I did call late for work because I had to trap the snake, and from the hysterical note in my voice, no one questioned it a whole lot. Esp when I came in with the snake.
Janga - hope you find the energy to get ready for company! I get lethargic like that too, but it's more because I'm lazy than anything else *g* I'll be stuck at home with you waiting for the reports from Orlando!
Chance - Haven't even begun looking at plane tickets yet. Guess I could do that now. Hmmmm...I did hit TJ Maxx during lunch and bought the cutest new suitcase. It's black with gray and white tulips all over it. And it has FOUR WHEELS! No more floppy suitcases for me. LOL!
Hal - Kiddo had volleyball practice and I always just sit in the car and write for the 90 mins she's in there. With a giant field full of little leaguers out my windshield.
Maybe I'll park facing the street tonight. Under the tree. In the corner.
"bone-lazy day" - I like that a lot! I have more of those days than I should *g*
Chance - the POTC ride!! Omg, I can' just imagine their reaction. You're right -- forget responsibility. We're Pirates!
You and Ter are going to have so much fun. I'm totally jealous (though I'm such a geek I'd probably go to workshops over rides . . . lol)
Well I'm not *acting out* the sex scene. LOL! Geez. I'm not the Pervy Pirate. LOL!
Janga - I have those days! Last night the energy was running out like water down a wide open drain. After dinner I tried to get motivated but found myself asleep on the couch around 7. Thankfully, the quick 20 min nap revived me enough to get up and finish the night.
Maybe I’ll park facing the street tonight. Under the tree. In the corner.
Good idea. That's way less suspicious.
Hal, I printed off the first three chapters of a new story so that I could read them over. I read them. I like them. Now I can write chapter 4. Need to get on it because once 4 p.m. hits it's time to switch gears back to the other manuscript for revisions.
and from the hysterical note in my voice, no one questioned it a whole lot. Esp when I came in with the snake.
You brought the snake to work???? Somehow I missed that part of the story :) So shooting a squirrel wouldn't be that out of the ordinary *g*
Nicely done Renee! I always find that when I like what's come before, I'm much more inspired to push forward (wow, that was like, a captain-obvious thing to say, wasn't it?). Good luck with chapter 4 and revisions later!
Acting out sex scenes. Hmm. I wonder if that could be paired with Donna's "Market Research" excuse *g*
Well, I wasn't going to set the snake free outside my apartment where it could get back inside again. I was going to take it far away so it couldn't figure out where my apartment was...or if it did head back to my apartment, where there was a most likely chance it'd be squashed by traffic.
Squirrel is good eats, man. Except for the fact I can't shoot the broadside of a barn with a shotgun, this would be a good excuse, yes. *LOL* Oh, and that the fattest squirrels I've seen are on this campus, so if I was going to hunt, I'd do it on campus. Big fat suckers. And brazen!
Acting out sex scenes. *LOL* I can see it now. "Honey! I need your help to act out a sex scene. Can you...OH, that was fast, I thought you were in the garage?" "I was down the street, but I heard sex and hurried."
I wish I had a research partner. *sigh*
Acting out sex scenes. Hmm. I wonder if that could be paired with Donna’s “Market Research” excuse *g*
Hal, that's the kind of Market Research I'd volunteer for! Cuz I'm like Bo'sun -- I need a research partner. Sniff.
And when all you pirates are making the POTC ride into a shipwreck. . .pictures! We need pictures!
Hal - I forgot to say earlier, those of us who put a deposit down on a room in Nashville are getting full refunds. But it might take a couple weeks before we see it on our statements.
Donna - I will do my best to keep my camera ready and thankfully, my phone takes awesome pics. We'll document as much as possible.
That's good, Ter. I figured they'd have some plan to deal with that. Hopefully people can get their plane tickets changed if they already bought them.
Documentation, evidence. Tomato, tomahto. LOL
Of course you've got the BEST defense available when you do something unexpected: "Pirate". :)
I'm guessing I'll be using that more as an excuse for Chance.
Stranger: Why is she doing that?
Me: Pirate.
Excuses? Who needs excuses? Justification is how I see it. I be a pirate, I must do this. I gotta figure out how to get my pirate hat to the Nationals. I already was nailed by Christie Craig at RT... Asked her if I was branding myself with the pirate hat. She smiled and said, "Yup!"
I need a smaller one to fit into the suitcase. I'm heading to the Vallejo Pirate Festival in June...maybe I can get one. Or I'll make one.
Without mouse ears.
Ter - We're friends, but I'm not helping out in the research department for this sex scene. Now, I can ask the DH to stir you toward some...uh...sites on line...
Or just watch Pirates!!!
Think anyone would know I got them from a lady who designs pirate hats for dogs?
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lenapavia?section_id=6278760
How cute! I want the second one down in the middle row.
Gee, uhm, okay, Chance. Don't remember asking though. LOL!
Oh, a pirate hat with mouse ears. Think I could get one of those?
Those are freaking adorable. I also had no idea that there was a whole hats-for-pets industry. That's a funny job title to throw out at a party:
Stranger: What do you do?
Me: I design hats. Tiny hats for your cat or dog. Varying themes.
Stranger: Oh, okay. Why?
Me: Pirate.
I like the second row down, first one.
We'll be so styling! Tell landlubbers we raided the dogtown and stole all their hats!
And yes, you can get a pirate hat with mouse ears. I think...pretty sure... think it comes with a scarf and eyepatch...
The dogs look like "Yeah, we know we look goofy, but whaddya gonna do?"
The one cat looks like "I'm SO gonna scratch somebody's face when they fall asleep". LOL
Yes, the cat looks quite nefarious...
*yes, tonight. she's gonna die tonight...
so I'm beyond excited that RWA is in Orlando...since I live here! Hubs has agreed to let me go ONLY if I finish my book and have something to pitch.
HOLY COW I need to get to writing! I need about another 50k to be done and the story is starting to meander....
Now a pirates meet-up is a must!
SCREECH! YES! I get to see Sabrina again! And buy you a drink! Write, you wench! Write!
Oh oh oh oh oh!!!! I get to meet Sabrina! Whoohoo!
I've been told by four people that they will not be able to go and was getting a bit bummed about it. Now I'm less bummed. Yay!
I didn't see the cat! Must go look...
PS: Sex scene written while getting bit by gnats and surrounded by little leaguers. *blows on nails* That's right, I'm a professional...
LOL!
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