Monday, January 31, 2011
Keeping The Party Going
Would you look at this place?
*Bo’sun strolls around the ship’s deck, kicking empty rum bottles out of her way, ignoring the black Ninja g-string hanging off the yardarm*
The least Barbossa could have done was keep his crew around long enough to help clean up the mess. That ink is never going to come out of the sails. There are boot prints all over the starboard side from the porthole hopping, and I’ve had to send the carpenter Hottie down to hang Donna’s hammock back up. Again. I’ll be lucky if he gets out of there before March.
Now everyone is hung over and I’m supposed to find some way to wake them up. Find something exciting to talk about. Hmmmm……what can I talk about?
*taps chin, contemplatively*
How about I FINISHED THE BOOK!!!!
That’s right, and I’m not talking first draft. I mean, it ain’t perfect, but it’s revised and done and I can MOVE ON!!
To steal Scapey’s metaphor from last week, I feel like I just completed a marathon. One that started in October of 2009 and ended sixteen months later. I got sidetracked, but I didn’t give up. I love this story and these characters, maybe more now than when I first started.
But this definitely wasn’t a cake walk.
What I realized last week is that trying to turn a rough draft into a story anyone would want to read is like trying to sculpt the Pieta out of Jell-O. Talk about illusive. Change one thing here, and you have to change five things over there. Move an event back a few days, you better be ready to shift every page that comes after.
I like to think the next book will somehow be easier. And yes, Hellie, that is a relative term. It will NEVER be easy, but it’s a fact that I know more now, about writing and what works for me, than I did sixteen months ago. I know what I’m capable of, and even if I’m not there yet, I have faith in myself that I will reach publication.
Probably not with this one, but I will.
We’re getting fancy today. The champagne is popped and the Mimosas are ready. The bottomless blender is filled with Sangria Ritas, and I made sure the Hotties got a good night’s sleep so they’d be bright eyed and bushy-tailed today. (The crew isn’t happy with me, but they’re not going to shrivel up from one chaste night!)
I’ve brought Emma and Nate along today, so if you don’t like mushy, sappy, love-birds, you’ll have to ignore them. Raise a glass, think warm, sunshiney thoughts, and tell us the best thing that happened to you lately.
*Bo’sun strolls around the ship’s deck, kicking empty rum bottles out of her way, ignoring the black Ninja g-string hanging off the yardarm*The least Barbossa could have done was keep his crew around long enough to help clean up the mess. That ink is never going to come out of the sails. There are boot prints all over the starboard side from the porthole hopping, and I’ve had to send the carpenter Hottie down to hang Donna’s hammock back up. Again. I’ll be lucky if he gets out of there before March.
Now everyone is hung over and I’m supposed to find some way to wake them up. Find something exciting to talk about. Hmmmm……what can I talk about?
*taps chin, contemplatively*
How about I FINISHED THE BOOK!!!!
That’s right, and I’m not talking first draft. I mean, it ain’t perfect, but it’s revised and done and I can MOVE ON!!To steal Scapey’s metaphor from last week, I feel like I just completed a marathon. One that started in October of 2009 and ended sixteen months later. I got sidetracked, but I didn’t give up. I love this story and these characters, maybe more now than when I first started.
But this definitely wasn’t a cake walk.
What I realized last week is that trying to turn a rough draft into a story anyone would want to read is like trying to sculpt the Pieta out of Jell-O. Talk about illusive. Change one thing here, and you have to change five things over there. Move an event back a few days, you better be ready to shift every page that comes after.
I like to think the next book will somehow be easier. And yes, Hellie, that is a relative term. It will NEVER be easy, but it’s a fact that I know more now, about writing and what works for me, than I did sixteen months ago. I know what I’m capable of, and even if I’m not there yet, I have faith in myself that I will reach publication.Probably not with this one, but I will.
We’re getting fancy today. The champagne is popped and the Mimosas are ready. The bottomless blender is filled with Sangria Ritas, and I made sure the Hotties got a good night’s sleep so they’d be bright eyed and bushy-tailed today. (The crew isn’t happy with me, but they’re not going to shrivel up from one chaste night!)
I’ve brought Emma and Nate along today, so if you don’t like mushy, sappy, love-birds, you’ll have to ignore them. Raise a glass, think warm, sunshiney thoughts, and tell us the best thing that happened to you lately.
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71 comments:
Ah, come on! Best thing to happen to me lately... Well...guess! ;-)
And I had Barbossa cleaning stuff up and ink in the sails is good...camoflage!
I like the idea of a 16 month marathon...though it totally exhausts me. But the idea is good! Sorta like dieting...it just takes time and perseverance!
And whoop! Now, I'll read it as soon as I give one final go through of my book for the print edition! I promise!
Nothing like a two-day kegger! Snow day! That's the best thing to happen to me today. The governor has issued a state of emergency and a lot of the city has shut down. Though you look outside the door and it doesn't look like anything to get excited about, but we're supposed to get thundersnow tomorrow morning. And some blizzard conditions.
I got to hang out with friends on Saturday and drink real rum drinks at a bar--good times, haven't done that in a while. And I scored a nice deal at JoAnn's Sunday. I kinda feel like I'm making a blanket like the one featured in Like Water for Chocolate. *LOL* Right now the sewing machine is behaving itself, which I always consider a good thing; now if I could get my muse started with something productive, this could be a nice productive snow day.
As for "easy", Christina Dodd did say something on Facebook the other day about the faster you write, the easier it gets. Maybe we all just need to learn to write faster. One hopes we'll eventually pick up on that. (Though popping out two books a year sounds difficult. I'd be happy if I could pop out one a year--yeesh!)
And CONGRATULATIONS! Good job sticking to your guns, turning off the telly, and finishing the revisions. That's just the way Nora would have done it! You (and Chance) are inspirational! Okay, the whole crew is, I won't lie--but really, your recent accomplishments really make you shine.
I just glanced at the deck from yesterday and saw Chance and Barbosa skinny dipping ..... with Maureen watching.
Could I have had a little too much to drink?
Nah .... The Minx is casting her spells again! :lol:
Terri, congrats on getting revisions done. I think it's the hardest part of the entire process, physically and mentally. Probably because it is done in longer chunks of time (14 hour days are not uncommon!) And I love your analogy with the Pieta and the jello. I think revising is like when you make the bed and you adjust one corner, which makes another one get weird, so you have to smooth THAT out, and it seems to go on and on until you say, "Fine, that's good enough!"
Congrats again. I'm really looking forward to reading it. :)
I'm glad I get to celebrate so many nice things happening to the Pirates.
Oh, and I don't know if the Hotties and I will get that hammock situation fixed by March--that's an optimistic thought. We'll try!
Congrats! (ow. holds head. must write in lower caps today with no exclamation marks.) please hand me a bloody mary...jeez, you gals can DRINK! (ow.)
Leslie, you might need to enroll in Pirate Bootcamp, do some drinking training. LOL
Don't let Leslie fool you, she was the last Pirate standing last night. Or should I say this morning.
Hello, Everyone! Isn't it a beautiful day?? Little cloudy here but it should burn off soon. I think Chance and I are having the exact same weather on opposite coasts. Weird.
I almost excluded you from the question, Chance. LOL! I think we all know the best thing to happen to you. And comparatively, my accomplishment ain't all that big, but I'm still excited. :)
Hellie - Whoop on the snow day! I would say I'm jealous, but I'm not. LOL! Snow. *shivers* Bad stuff.
Thanks for the kudos and LaDodd seems to be correct, though I'm not sure quicker is the right word. Consistently is the one I'd use. Cutting out the long lulls and not letting myself get too far from the work made all the difference for me. Now, to keep it up. That's the hard part!
Q - For a scientists, your quite susceptable to magic. :)
*cracks a raw egg into a mug of rum*
Here you, Les. Hair of the dog and all that good stuff.
Well, it's been snowing since 7 a.m. and coming down pretty hard. Not sure how much we're getting, but it's just going on top of the old stuff.
Sounds like I'm describing my TBR pile. LOL
I can't say I'm real jealous of myself either. The constant stream of news talking about the Snowpacolypse makes me nervous. I hope the guys at the farm are all right; we've never been under a blizzard warning before.
But right now I'm in my pjs, snuggled in some blankets, and trying to decide what I'll want to eat for lunch.
Quilting, writing, reading, and long British dramas are in my immediate future. I think I'm going to be able to empathize with Donna real soon because the weather guys are saying we are likely to be stuck for three or four days--so we better like where we're at.
Definitely don't envy either one of you. I often spend a weekend never leaving the house, but when you know you CAN'T leave the house, it's entirely different.
speaking of long British dramas. Did you watch the last episode of Downton Abbey this weekend? That Julian Fellowes is a master of the "make your characters lives bad, then make them WORSE!"
Yes, consistently is the key--Dee (S. Knight) used to be able to tell where my manuscript had stopped and then I apparently started writing 6 months or more later. *LOL*
That reminds me, I need to call Dee. There's a Romance writers panel at a bookstore near the ocean Valentine's weekend. I'm hoping she'll want to tag along with kiddo and I to check it out.
I haven't watched the last Downton Abbey yet -- it's one of my "snow day" rewards today. LOL
Did I send you guys a pic of the snow piled up outside my kitchen window? That's before today's accumulation of course. At least I can still see out. :)
No, I haven't seen the picture. Not sure I want to. LOL! Can you even open your front door?!
Yeah, I can get in and out just fine. There's a decent overhang that keeps it away from the house, mostly. A lot of the pileup is from the snow falling off the house in a big avalanche. LOL
Although the little path from my house to the car had gotten covered over yesterday, so I felt like a "snow pioneer". I think one of the avalanche piles had an avalanche.
Congratulations Ter!
And, I must say, as a beta reader of this book, I managed to get through the first 15 pages last night (in between wakings from both boys who decided it was a good night to both get a cold with a hacky cough, fun), and it's funny. I'm already excited about going further.
So, huzzah! This is a book to celebrate.
Congrats Terri!!! I got it on my ereader last night and am already loving Emma and Nate!
Not much for me in the best news department -- I interviewed for a job I desperately wanted and found out yesterday I didn't get it. Which of course has made every little thing today more the miserable knowing I'm stuck here. Gah.
BUT! Seeing as how I start maternity leave tomorrow and am due any day now, I have a feeling I'll have a very different answer to that question next week *g*
Hellie and Sin - good luck hunkering down. The Weather forecast does not look pretty!
Donna - You mean you went out in all that?! LOL! You're a brave woman!
Marn - Thanks so much!!! I think I just exhaled for the first time since hitting send on that email. LOL!
Sorry about the sickly little ones though. That's never fun. There must be something about winter when the house is all shut up to keep warm and the germs do nothing but germinate more. Should we send in Lysol? LOL!
They are calling it Snowzilla here! 18-20 inches expected! My boss is giving us a paid day off tomorrow in anticipation! Woo hoo! More Cleopatra wigs!
Sorry about the job, Hal. Maybe something else you like even better will open up by summer. I'll keep my fingers crossed!
That is kind of fun to think my book is on an eReader somewhere. :)
I saw a pic of you on Facebook and if that's recent, then you're not half as big as I was at 9 months along. LOL! You look gorgeous and here's hoping the newest 'Lil Pirate makes his appearance soon.
Ah thanks - I haven't gained much weight, which had been worrying me, but in the past few weeks I've suddenly shot up. Probably because I can't seem to stop eating *g* I'm going back to the doc tomorrow, and have every finger and toe crossed for being induced on Thursday or Friday.
And you should breathe easy. The books good, Ter. Very good. I'm about 50 pages in, and thoroughly enjoying it :)
You too, Leslie?!? Man, we're going to have to intall one of those ice breaker things on the front of the ship before long.
You're going to have to share pics of all your little Egyptian ladies next month. And stay safe!!!
snowzilla. *snort* That's funny.
Hal, sorry you didn't get the job -- I think it'll be a relief, though, not to worry about starting something new like that right now. Your brain needs to focus on other things. :)
So are we having a baby pirate shower? We might as well make this into a week-long party!
Terri, I'm hoping to get some beta reading done today. I'm excited. :)
And I've got Chance's book to read too. And oh yeah, I need to write. Good thing it's a snow day!
Hal - I only gained 20lbs start to finish, but retained so much water at the end, I looked like a balloon in the Macy's parade. My water broke four days before my due date, so no inducing was necessary!
Wow, thanks. I'm going to float through the rest of the day on that comment. *sigh*
Congratulations on completing your revisions, Terri. I had every confidence that you would meet your goal. Yay you!
No snow here, but overcast with possible thunderstorms--so, it's still a good day to curl up and read. Naps are good too. I have problems writing on gray days
Hal, I'm sorry the job didn't work out for you, but, as Terri said, something even better is in store for you. All the best to you and the about-to-enter-the-world little one.
Ter, I'm pouting and feeling left out. Just sayin' . . . :)
I think that is so true...that not taking a big break between writing is a big key...
Janga - I couldn't send it to you in the first round. It must be as perfect as I can get it before you see it. LOL!
I'm really hoping to get your input before I query though, which should be in about a month. Keep me on your calendar!
And I've yet to see TLWH. Just sayin'... ;)
Thanks guys - there's definite pros and cons to getting a new job now (it would have started when I got back from Maternity leave, but as one of my friends reminded me yesterday, "there's something to be said for not having to learn a brand new job on 3 hours of sleep a night". lol). It's not the end of the world, I'm just disappointed.
Ter - I haven't retained any water, which I'm pretty much counting as the luckiest break so far in this pregnancy!
No water retained? Are you SERIOUS? Now Hellie has someone else to make fun of. LOL! That's amazing!
The giving birth part was a breeze for me. Mostly. Fingers crossed it's the same for you!
I don't think so. Not even my ankles have swelled. My wedding ring still fits fine. I mean, my hips and back hurt so bad I can hardly stand at this point, so there's a trade off, but I'll take it *g*
I was super worried about labor and all that, but at this point, I just want to be done so badly I'll do just about anything.
Oooh CONGRADLATIONS, Terri!
I truly am happy for you!
Gosh? The best thing that happened to me lately is that I finally seem to not have the flu or a cold or a virus or whatever. Finally. I was sick of being sick. Just in time too … since I’m going to spend the next 2 days digging my way out of two feet of snow.
We interrupt this post for an announcement:
“Hello, Everyone! Isn’t it a beautiful day??”
Hmmm … I wonder how much it would cost to FedEx a truckload of snow? Terri, what’s your snail mail addi. I have a present for you. Its ummm … something that you’ll find really cool .
You'd know. I couldn't get my shoes on, even though I'd loosened the laces as far as they would go without taking them out.
Epidural all the way. Greatest. Invention. Ever.
Julie - Thanks, doll. And you cannot blame me for moving away from the snow. LOL! Grew up in the north and after three blizzards in 18 months, moved south. Ended up with ice storms in Tennessee and Arkansas. (Not to mention the tornadoes.)
Took me years to find this little (mostly) snow free spot! Happy to hear you're feeling better. Seems like everyone has been fighting off the crud for months.
Congratulations Terri! That is pure awesome and as someone still trying to finish the first shitty draft it seems like the Mt. Everest of accomplishments. So proud of you!
WAHOO! Hand over one of those mimosas.
It HAS been months for me. And I was starting to wonder ... I was perfectly fine before I visited That Place. Thats what I get for going on a trip to There where the river bends.
(Read the final note in a note by that title on my FB page if you want to see why i was a little freaked out about being sick then sick again and again ...)
*slides glass down the bar, orange juice sloshing over the sides*
I'm living proof, Scape. If I can do it, anyone can do it. You'll get that puppy done this year and we'll throw a party for you too! (With a really cool finish line and everything. LOL!)
Sorry you didn't get the new job, Hal. But I think you're friend is right, stick with what you know for the first few months of baby sucking brain.
Scape! You'll get there! Just kill that planner. Remember the kraken is always hungry and will take planners as well as inner critics... All those colored post its are tasty!
Thanks for the pep talk Bo'Sun - I actually did add a good 500 words last night even after getting home late. :)
I've got some issues happening at work that have taken over my time for writing with resume writing...for basically my own job. LOOOOOONG story, but it's seriously hard to write a resume for someone you know in your own department for a job you are already doing.
Oh - and it's pretty depressing too. BUT, I'm choosing to stay postive and focus on much happier things - like writing the damn book and saying I've finished it!
WOW! Awesome news, Ter. Congrats. I also knew you could do it. You've accomplished so much since I've known you, you really amaze me. You Go Girl!
Something great that has happened to me really didn't happen to me but to the DH. I was holding my breath thinking he would be diagnosed with Diabetes and he finally went to get checked out and turns out he's clear! Best News Ever!
Count me among the snowbound! We got a little taste last night but it looks like the nasty stuff is only hours away. Of course, everyone else in the house is ecstatic, including the DH. I actually heard him and the DD planning what fun snow activity they were going to partake in tomorrow while out of work and school. The giddiness in the Irish household is sickening.
I, on the other hand, went out and braved the masses in Walmart, Meijer and Jewel to make sure we're all fed through March! I'm just gonna have to hunker down in my sitting room with a few new releases from last week and utilize that lock on my bedroom door. I've been saving the Elizabeth Hoyt for a special straight read-thru.
Sorry about the job Hal, but I'm definitely with your friend - you don't want to be tackling anything new right now. Once you're holding that little bundle in your arms nothing else will matter!
I was super worried about labor and all that, but at this point, I just want to be done so badly I’ll do just about anything.
I think that's God's little way of making it easier for us to face. It gets to the point where you don't care what they do or who does it (it could be the janitor!) you just want that baby out pronto! Good Luck!
Oh, Scape. My husband has done that...for a job he has but the company re-orgs and they make you re-apply. It's total bullsh*t...
Oh and Ter, just like Janga, keep me in mind if you need another pair of eyes! I'd be happy to get to know Nate and Emma a little better. :)
That's it, Scape. Keep the positive thoughts going. 500 words a night is better than no words a night! (Trust me, I know. lol) Sorry to hear about the work issues, but I know you're good at what you do. You'll make it work.
We will just have to hunker down on the ship and sail through the worst of the storm. Hal, Bo'sun can deliver your baby. Then Sin can chew through the umbilical cord.
(it could be the janitor!)
This totally cracked me up, mostly because it's true. I was all picky about having a female OB, then she wasn't the one on call when I went into labor. Some male doc I'd never seen before stepped in. I could have cared less. In fact, I think the entire nursing staff was in the room!
Good news about the DH, Irish! My ex was diagnosed right after the wedding and he never did learn to take care of himself. He's paid a hefty price in the last year too. That's nothing to mess with!
I just heard on the radio Chicago is looking at 2 ft of the white stuff before it's over. You have my sympathy, but from the sound of it, you've got plenty of good reading to get you through. :)
And I'll keep you on the list. I didn't want to burn out all my options on the first round. There will be other rounds, no worries.
I'm delivering the little bugger? I'm not sure spitting one out qualifies me to catch one.
Then again, I'll take that job over the one you gave Sin.
Long as I ain't part of this delivery! I don't nothin' bout birthin' no babies!
I can provide a good stiff drink or five.
Does that make me Scarlet?
I'm gonna need that drink...
So, Bo'sun...you have a list of multiple agents you gonna submit to? Eh? Eh? Eh?
I know you have a list...you're just that organized!
Actually, I don't. I have a few names that pop us due to things I've learned about them in the last few years. But I am signed up on a website where you can look up what agents would work for you and even track your queries.
Haven't looked at it in months. Guess I should spend February figuring out how it works.
Terri, I'm reading PLAYING FOR KEEPS and it's delightful. I had to stop to do some word count of my own, but now I'm back to reading. :)
You just reminded me I never mentioned the title of the book in the blog. LOL! Suppose I should have highlighted that a little more.
Thanks!!! I finally got back to I DO..OR DIE last night. Just met Ron. :)
A pirate birth complete with umbilical cord chewing....um...lol.
You did say anything...
I'm totally going to annoy you until I hear you have a list of agents dear Bo'Sun. It's that time - you can do it!
Captcha Code = BSBU (Bullshit But Usable?) :)
Don't be sicking your list making stuff on me. LOL! If you have your way, it'll be color coded!!
I will have a spreadsheet, I admit it. Eventually. But nothing to the extent of your incredible binder.
Sounds about right for this ship. LOL! Though usable how? (Not sure I want to know.)
Yes. Scape and her Incredible Binder. Sounds like a good kid's book! LOL!
There's too much going on with this ship this week! LOL I just set aside PLAYING FOR KEEPS for a bit and started on THE KRAKEN'S MIRROR. I did a bit of work on my own WIP earlier, but not nearly enough. A new pirate baby on its way. . .
Just WHO is in charge of scheduling? LOL
Wahoo! Just bought and sent a copy of The Kraken's Mirror to the winner on my blog. Chaulk up another sale for Maureen!
This crew is going to make you a best-seller yet!
Bo'Sun - I seriously need to pawn off the planner in me - maybe spread a little around to all the pirates...Hmm...that sounds a little like I'm spreading a disease. Maybe not.
Just WHO is in charge of scheduling? Uhhh ... Scape and her Incredible Binder? LOL
Or
Since we are talking about scheduling and getting out of scheduling then
Escape and her Incredible Binder might be more appropriate.
Cap code: NKDK ... No Kidding Donna Knows!
getting ready to drive in the blizzard! those of you who live in sunny climes - i'll be moving in with you next week.
I'll make up the couch! (I had to use my sunglasses at lunchtime. Hitting 70 tomorrow. *whistles innocently*)
I suppose I could have tried scheduling this better. Not sure Hal's hubby would have gone along with my scheduling though.
Woohoo, Terri!! Congratulations on finishing. Isn't it the best feeling ever? I'll drink a margarita tonight in your honor!
(Or, more likely, a hot toddy. It's freeeezing in Texas today.)
Thanks, Mary, it feels great! Until I have to open it again and realize it's not nearly as polished as I think it is. LOL!
Definitely have that hot toddy. I'm amazed at the weather sweeping across the country.
Leslie - Hope you made it home okay. In all seriousness, driving in that stuff has to be scary. I hope everyone can stay home and curl up by a heat source tomorrow.
You know...the polishing never stops. I'm reading the print galley of my book and so far...found 11 things I want to change!
Sigh!
If we let Scape organize this ship, we'll all be wearing color-coded scabbards.
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