The National Marine Life Center, an organization near and dear to me, is a finalist in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program. Whether or not they win a van to help transport injured and rehabilitated marine life depends on getting the most Facebook votes today, from 10 AM – midnight, EST.
Please vote here.
Thanks!
Technically, I’m on vacation.
But please, don’t let that stop you from clicking over to Words on the Page and see how I wind up Writers Worth Weeks with my article “You’re Not A Flasher, Are You?” about writing for “exposure”.
And don’t forget to vote for the National Marine Life Center in the Toyota 100 Cars for Good competition! That vehicle would make a huge, positive difference!
Have a great weekend, everyone. See you Tuesday!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Waxing Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Pluto Retrograde
Venus Retrograde
Sunny and foggy and pleasant (all at once)
I was felled by a migraine for most of yesterday, so I wasn’t online much. I didn’t get a chance to send you over to the Writers Worth Week post of the day, which is Peter Bowerman’s terrific article about “deserving” or not deserving to make $5 to $10 an article. Peter’s inspiration helped give me the courage to make the leap. He’s always got something great to say, and this is no different.
Today’s post is by the wonderful Cathy Miller on a Freelance Writers’ Dictionary, which is awesome.
Took my mom to the eye doctor — her eyes are healing well, and she’s allowed to drive again. It will be good for her to gain back her independence.
Revised six chapters of the book — only 10 more to go. I’m not cutting enough yet, and that concerns me. I’ll have cut close to 8K in the draft, but a lot more needs to go. Worked on my article. Waiting for quotes. Did some more PR for my classes. Spent time with students. I REALLY need the upcoming holiday weekend break, and I intend to enjoy it thoroughly. I plan to spend a lot of time in the garden, a lot of time reading and writing, and very little time online!
I read Garry Marshall’s new memoir, MY HAPPY DAYS IN HOLLYWOOD, which reminds me of the good things about the business. And I read an anthology created by Mercedes Lackey called LAMMAS NIGHT, which is outstanding — some of the best short stories I’ve read in ANY genre. The controllers of the purse strings might be bitching and moaning that the paranomal/urban fantasy market is glutted, but there’s always a hunger for outstanding fantasy. This volume was published in 1996, and it’s as relevant today as when it was published — maybe even more so.
Don’t forget to vote on Facebook, on Saturday the 26th, for the National Marine Life Center in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program. Winning that Highlander would be fantastic!
Yoga was great this morning, but boy were we worked hard!
Have a GREAT memorial day weekend, people! I’ll put up the link — I’m the featured guest on Words on the Page to wind up the two Writers Worth Weeks tomorrow — and then I’ll see you again on Tuesday!
Devon
Don’t forget the Setting Up Your Submission Systems Workshop on June 2, online. Far too many submissions go unread and automatically rejected because writers don’t submit properly. Learn how to avoid that, and set up a system that makes submissions a breeze! Information and registration here.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Waxing Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Pluto Retrograde
Venus Retrograde
Rainy and cool
Yesterday was such and up-and-down day! Managed to revised six chapters of HEART SNATCHER, which was a great note on which to start. Got some other work done, spent time with students.
Had a few hours of alternating fury and misery when I discovered that some individuals on a job in whom I invested hundreds of hours of time and trust just threw it back in my face. Well, what are you going to do? I already knew the situation was not one in which I wanted to stay past the current commitments — but at least I FULFILL my commitments. It’s about fear, power, manipulation, done via passive aggression — you know how well THAT goes over with me! You don’t get your own way all the time, Pickle, especially when you’re wrong and doing something destructive to yourself and others. Imagining how to fictionally kill them off in a story made me realize just how ridiculous it all is, and how it’s not worth my time and energy. New doors are opening for me; I have no reason not to take fresh risks. Especially not out of misplaced loyalty.
The Writers Center wants to put me on their regular roster for Tomorrow’s Writers Today — they thought I did well, the kids responded positively, and they want me back. Good! I can take what I learned from this go-round, switch up a few things, focus it differently, and make it better.
I got some more good news — a piece one of my private students worked on under guidance has been offered a contract! I’m thrilled for her. She worked hard on it, and it was a case of taking a good idea and going deeper, that’s all.
I got my next assignment for Confidential Job #1 — a double this time! Can’t wait to do it. Didn’t manage to finish the article (still waiting for quotes). Managed, however, to do a good deal of press for my upcoming workshops — putting them up in local events calendars, etc. — and got some ads for business services out there. Got a negative response back on a pitch — but the content of the refusal had nothing to do with what I actually pitched, so I think they might have sent me someone else’s letter. In other words, I dodged a bullet!
Very tired, but that’s just the way it is right now. Looking forward to the holiday weekend break. I’ll be writing, but not interacting.
The West Dennis Library is doing a benefit on June 10. They asked me to donate a signed copy of ASSUMPTION OF RIGHT for the Book Basket they’re auctioning off. I’m delighted! More information here.
A few things to think about/remember/check out:
On Saturday, May 26, from 10 AM to Midnight EST, please click over to 100carsforgood.com with your Facebook account and vote for the National Marine Life Center — we’re a finalist in the program, and have the chance to win a Highlander in order to transport wildlife to and from the hospital. It would make a huge difference to the center, so please stop by and give us a vote!
Writers Worth Week continues with Kimberly Ben’s article on Flexing Your Confidence Muscle.
Don’t forget to sign up for Setting Up Your Submissions System online seminar on June 2. I’ll walk you through bios, loglines, submission packets, clip files, the types of ways to prepare your files so all you have to do is attach, and more. The resource guide is worth the price. More information and registration here.
If you’re in and around the Cape area in June and July, I’m teaching in person at Three Fish and A Ram Community Art Center in Mashpee. There’s a tarot class for artists in all media, a writer/performer collaborative, and a writing workshop to stretch technique. I’ve got a page with details set up here.
I’m off to mediation now — I need it! Then, it’s back to work.
Devon
Monday, May 21, 2012
Waxing Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Pluto Retrograde
Venus Retrograde
Rainy and cool
Busy weekend! Honestly, I can’t remember what I was doing on Friday, other than prepping for class and getting press releases done and working with students.
Oh, wait — I went to an art opening at the Cape Cod Cultural Center in Yarmouth. That was fun. My friend (one of the inspirations for the upcoming Bellini Girls comic mysteries) invited me. The artist is the wife of a musician we know. Her work is lovely! I also met the mother of the previous tenant in this house (small world) and the associate director of the center. And a bunch of other people. It was a lot of fun.
Saturday was the Tomorrow’s Writers Today program. My fellow writer/teacher is terrific — he taught the non-fiction portion and I taught the fiction. We swapped books at the end — I can’t wait to read his book over Memorial Day weekend. What a treat! The kids were split into two groups and we each had one in the morning, and then we switched. I was pleased and impressed by the talent in the room. These kids are not writing pop culture derivatives. They’ve got IDEAS. And they’re more competent and understand the significance of things like spelling, grammar, and structure more than many of their adult counterparts. If I’m asked back, I’d structure it a little differently — I was trying to give them an overview of several different aspects, and each session had slightly different exercises. I think I’d want to either do a scene-by-scene story building or a revision intensive, if they wanted to bring me back. The sessions were so short, it was hard to build a group dynamic easily — if we worked, say, for two or three sessions together, it would have made sense to read aloud and split them into critique partners and stuff, but in a session this short, I didn’t want anyone to feel put on the spot. I might do a round-robin one-line of a story next time at the beginning to get them warmed up. IF I do it again.
But I’m glad I did it. I was wiped out, though, by the time I got home. I had a glass of wine on the deck, and then went in to watch the Preakness. As much as I wanted my friend to win, I was also glad that I’ll Have Another got the second leg, and there’s the chance for a Triple Crown this year. Creative Cause was still my favorite horse in the race, but I think both he and Gemologist will really come into their own during Saratoga and Del Mar.
A positive aspect of not officially covering the races this year is that I get the chance to simply enjoy them again. My coverage the past few years grew cynical. With this break, maybe next year I can approach it with a fresh enthusiasm.
I was so tired I did an hour of restorative yoga and was in bed by nine. I slept for 10 hours.
Sunday, I spent time with online students to make up for not being available Saturday, but finished fairly early. I walked to get the papers instead of taking the car, which was good, and read them out on the deck. Tessa was in the crate, having a good time. I also got some marigolds, so that I can transplant the tomatoes this week, and pair some eggplants with them, and put them in the new bed and the vegetable bed.
I already revised six chapters on HEART SNATCHER (today’s quota). I’ve got some pitches to get out, some follow-up to do, and hopefully the quotes for my article will come through today, so I can finish that and get it off. I want to do some work on HEART BINDER this afternoon and a couple of short stories. I was supposed to get a definitive answer on Friday about another manuscript, so I know how I have to fit that into the schedule, but nothing, so I’m not going to stress about it.
Over on Billy Root Blogs, “he” talks about Actors Filling Time. Writers Worth Week continues over on Lori Widmer’s blog on Finding Your Niche — which I totally DISagree with. Just so you know. 
My student and fellow author Nina Benneton has a great blog post over at Writer’s Digest here.
And hey, don’t forget to sign up for the Setting Up Your Submission System online seminar on June 2! You’ll be walked through each piece of the process and wind up with a reference guide that will help you for years! More information and sign-up here.
Devon
Friday, May 18, 2012
Day before Dark Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Pluto Retrograde
Venus Retrograde
Sunny and pleasant
I pitched for a job before leaving for yoga yesterday morning, and wasn’t even late! If we like each other, I think it could be a very good fit — I hope they’re interested in what I pitched to them.
Yoga was good; came back home, got some work done, went out and mowed the front lawn — all of it in one go — both the mower and I were up for it. Then, I trimmed the edges with my hand clippers, and weeded all the front beds — they look much better. I still have to mulch, but that’s going to have to wait a week or two. It looks really nice. Some of the grass seed sprouted — it’s a blue fescue, so it looks really lush and pretty.
I have to mow the terraced area later this morning. The meadow’s going to be good for another week or two.
Dealt with my students during the day, which meant I had the evening to get some writing and reading done. I’m struggling with this next section of revisions.
I sent my editor two reviews for the last two books sent (both of which I enjoyed), and told my editor to send me something good for the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend! He promised to get something out to me today.
For Writers Worth Week, today, there’s an article by Sharon Hurley Hall on “What are You Worth? You Decide!”
I’ve got to finish up the preparations for tomorrow’s class, and then get the press materials over to Falmouth for the fall. I’m going to an art opening tonight at the Cultural Center in Yarmouth, and I have a lot to get done before then. This morning, we tried to walk on Sandy Neck Beach, but it was closed, so we went to the Boardwalk at Sandwich, then came home for breakfast, Tessa and I read the paper on the deck, and headed back to Sandy Neck, and got in our walk. It was gorgeous — not even windy, for once.
I finished setting the stone edging for the new bed when we got back; now I have to decide what I’m going to put in there! The lettuce and greens are growing so fast we’re eating salad every day — not necessarily a bad thing!
Better get going — lots to do, and I have to be at the school by 8:30 AM tomorrow!
Devon
Don’t forget the Setting Up Your Submission System one-day online seminar on June 2. It walks you through all the bits you need and how to organize them so that putting together a pitch, a query, or a submission package is a snap! Registration and more information here.
Violet’s got some ‘tude
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Waning Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Pluto Retrograde
Venus Retrograde
Cloudy and cool
I’m over on The Writers Vineyard today, in my Annabel persona, talking about “The Scent of Lilacs” and how that’s important to writing. Hmm, think I’m a little obsessed with lilacs this year.
Yesterday was all about taking the three cats to the vet. Boxing and stuffing three frightened felines is a feat unto itself. It was definitely a challenge, in spite of setting out the crates the night before. Fortunately, I’m faster than they are, and crate them in a room where there’s no place to hide. Then, it was hauling them into the car. And driving.
Fortunately, the vet is close by. Iris, our little drama queen, howled the entire way. Violet sat there, plotting about all the horrible things she would do once we got home. Tessa was confused.
It was busy when we arrived, mostly dogs, who were very interested in the cats. The cats didn’t pay any attention. Iris did her “woe is me” routine, causing everyone to fuss over her, which is exactly what she wanted. It was pretty hilarious.
The actual vet visit wasn’t bad. They’re all in excellent health, and got all their shots updated. They won’t need rabies shots for another three years. Nobody needed a thermometer shoved up the butt, so they were spared that indignity. The twins were very good, although they were scared. Tessa was fine for the exam, her heart rate remarkably steady (the twins’ rates were elevated). That’s because, as Tessa made it quite clear, the people handling her had FAR more to worry about than she did. She was ferocious during the nail clipping. She lost that battle, but she put up a good fight.
Turns out, by trying to make it fun and non-threatening, I haven’t solved the problem. The vet said some of them just hate it, and they always will. The best thing to do is put a towel over their heads and upper bodies, pin ‘em down, and do it FAST. Good to know.
I also have to use flea and tick medicine on them all summer, thanks to the yard (but it means Tessa can come out on the deck in the puppy training crate, which she loves).
I expected them to be grumpy and lethargic when we got home. I know I was exhausted. Instead, they were all very hungry, ate like baby bears, and then they all wanted attention. It was pretty cute.
Got some work done in the afternoon, although not enough. Wrote press releases. I really enjoy that work, and I should hustle some more of that work from clients. I do a good job, when they pay as they should it’s worth it, and I enjoy it. Hey, momma’s got to make up for all that money spent on brakes and the vet! Unfortunately, a lot of people act like they’re being generous when they offer $20 to write a press release. Um, no, the going rate is about ten times that. More, if you expect me to sit there and do the distribution — which is time-and-labor intensive.
In the evening, I went to the Writers Night Out dinner in Hyannis. Lots of fun. The speaker was the person who suggested I’d be a good fit teaching in Falmouth, and I thanked her for the recommendation. Her presentation was terrific. My dinner companions were horse people (imagine — in a room full of writers, the horse-loving ones find each other — gotta love it). It was a great discussion. I respect this woman a lot because she’s working more than full time, taking care of two horses and MAKES the time to write. She’ll fulfill her writing dreams, because she’s putting in the work, and doesn’t let anything get in the way.
Off to yoga in a bit, then have to put gas in the car, come back, and work flat out all day and into the night. I have to make up for yesterday, when I couldn’t get everything done, catch up with students, get my own writing done, and get out some more pitches.
We had a lot of rain yesterday, and the fog last night was terrifying — for driving, not because I expected Coyote Cujo to emerge and attack or anything. It’s supposed to clear up today. You know what that means, don’t you? I gotta go out there and MOW again!
Hop on over to Words on the Page for Paula Hendrickson’s great article, “Writers are Worth More than We Realize.”
The next section of revisions to tackle will be tricky. I’ve been pondering it, and am not sure I have a viable solution for it yet, but it needs to get done, so I will push through.
Devon
Need help creating an efficient submissions system? Join the one-day online Seminar on June 2, Setting Up Your Submission System, and I’ll walk you through it. Information and registration here.
Iris and Violet are not amused
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Waning Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Pluto Retrograde
Venus Retrograde
Rainy and cool
Busy day, but didn’t get enough done. Which means today I have to push even harder. Got some errands, done, though, which helped. And my meeting last night went very well — I’ll be teaching three in-person workshops in Falmouth in the fall — if people sign up!
Prepping for my workshop on Saturday — got my class list, and am looking forward to it. Putting together my “stuff” for the class. Prepping the Submission System Workshop for June 2 — there’s more information here and sign up. It’s so important to have an efficient system — it makes life a lot easier.
I’ve got five press releases (for my own work) to get out today. And I have to finish the write ups for confidential job #1 and finish the rough on my article. I’ll have to wait for a couple of quotes, but I want the article in good enough shape so that I can just pop ‘em in and send it out.
Check out Nancy Oliver’s post “When the Safety Net is Gone” over on Words on the Page, as part of Writers Worth Week.
I need to hustle some quick-turnaround and quick-paying work to make up for the money spent on the brakes and what I’ll have to spend today at the vet — all three little darlings are going in, and that’s going to be a big chunk of change. But, it has to be done.
Tonight is the Writers Night Out dinner, so I’m off to that. And I’ve got to buckle down on some of my other fiction deadlines. I’m behind. I’ve got to get back in balance with the short term work and the long term.
I’ve got a post up on Gratitude and Growth with garden photos.
Feeling a little run down, and am looking forward to next weekend, when I’ve got several consecutive days OFF.
Devon
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Waning Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Pluto Retrograde
Venus Retrograde
Cloudy and pleasant
Got a lot done, yesterday, which is good. Weeded the vegetable bed. Planted peas, spinach, bok choy, and radishes. Started creating a new, round bed in a rather desolate patch (someone used to have a woodpile there) where I will grow herbs. I need to get a few more stones for the edge, and then I can put loam in it and start planting. Got the morning glories and the moonflowers into the ground — the morning glories are starting to bloom, and they’re lovely. The lilacs are absolutely intoxicating this year, and I often just stop whatever I’m doing and inhale.
Revised six chapters of HEART SNATCHER, wrote about 840 words on HEART BINDER, and then went back and tightened things some more in the revisions. I worked on my article, caught up with my students, etc.
Finalized some dates — I’ll be teaching locally for Three Fish & a Ram Community Art Center in June and July — a tarot workshop, a writer/performer workshop, and a writing workshop. The first two are detailed up on the Workshop page here on the blog (I’ll have to update my website later today). And I’ve got some more Fast & Fun topics coming up.
I went to meditation this morning, but no one was there. I hope everything’s okay. So I stopped at Nirvana, got my usual Tuesday morning treat, and came home to enjoy the morning on the deck. I’ve got a lot of work to do today, plus things like grocery shopping, finish my article, and finish the write ups for Confidential Job #1.
I have a meeting tonight about another possible teaching gig in Falmouth — looking forward to it.
Hop on over to Lori Widmer’s Words on the Page for Writers Worth Week — today’s article is by Susan Johnston about the per word rate.
Onward!
Devon
The Stewartsonian Azalea
Monday, May 14, 2012
Waning Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Pluto Retrograde
Partly sunny and pleasant
Busy weekend, but a good one. Friday was all about all kinds of work, catching up with students, and finishing the prep for the workshop. And working on revisions. I got out the newsletter (yay, rah, rah) and did some work on the Fearless Ink website. I’d like to change the template, but I’m not sure to what. Basically, I just want to fill the background a bit, but it’s not working.
Worked on my article. Worked on the assignments for Confidential Job #1. Looked at some listings, and will send out pitches this week, some of which are in Boston. It would be good to get into Boston on a regular basis! Ran some errands, got in some stuff for Mother’s Day.
I also started mowing the meadow, and I had an idea about an additional bed I want to put in.
Saturday, I was up early, checked on the conference forum, then went out and mowed the rest of the meadow. It looks REALLY good. I’m pleased as punch about it, and the mower and I seem to have reached detente.
The Amazing Antagonists workshop went really well. It was lively, interactive, those who participated got a lot of information and individual attention. I had a great time (I even stayed live for nearly an extra hour). It was fun. I’m adding some extra resources into the resource guide in the next day or two, and then out it goes.
And, of course, I’m prepping for this weekend’s Tomorrow’s Writers Today at the high school, and for the Submissions Workshop for June 2. I’ve got to confirm some other dates and then put up the next round of Fast and Fun workshops, and I’ve got some in-person meetings this week on other projects.
Mother’s Day was good. I wound up the Antagonists workshop, finished two projects for Confidential Job #1, and discovered that I’m back battling ants on the front lawn!
This morning, we were up early to take a walk on Sandy Neck Beach. Tons of fun.
Busy week — in addition to writing up the assignments for Confidential Job #1, getting out the workshop handbook, writing an article and working with my students, I’ve got a project meeting tomorrow night, Writer’s Night Out Wednesday night, and an art opening on Friday night. Plus, a slew of proposals to get out and my own writing. Busy, busy!
I plan to do some work in the garden today, in the vegetable bed, and then put in the morning glories and moonflowers. We’re supposed to get rain, so I better get out in the garden sooner rather than later!
Billy Root and I had an epiphany — check it out on his blog.
And Writers Worth Week starts this week over on Lori Widmer’s blog. Today’s entry is from Ashley Festa on “How To Use Your Time Wisely.” Check it out!
Devon
White lilac with moon in background
Friday, May 11, 2012
Waning Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Pluto Retrograde
Sunny and pleasant
Registration closes this evening for the Amazing Antagonists workshop tomorrow. So sign up NOW — or you miss out!
I have to mow, no way around it! The rain was terrific, but boy, does it make more mowing!
Yesterday was a mixed bag. Went to Plymouth to the mechanic to get the car serviced — and found out I had to get the back brakes replaced. Not an expense for which I was prepared, but it had to be done. Took awhile (although they were quicker than estimated), so we had lunch at a place called T-Bones. I didn’t expect much, and was pleasantly surprised. But the bill was a shock, and it means hustling more work in the next few weeks to make up for it — especially since all three cats go to the vet next week.
Came home, got final approval on materials from my pro bono client and sent them out to the media.
The National Marine Life Center is a finalist in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good Program. That means we could win a Highlander, which would allow reliable transportation for injured marine life, and then to release point after rehabilitation, and to continue the educational outreach. Please put May 26 in your calendar and vote for us on Facebook at www.100carsforgood.com between 10 AM and Midnight. Don’t worry — I’ll remind you! If we get enough votes — we win the car.
Couldn’t get into the Savvy Authors board at all to work with students, which was frustrating. I feel badly for them; however, if I only have time between hour X and hour Y and can’t get in, I can’t do my work.
My neighbor is already out mowing — guess I’ll have to get into my gardening clothes and go join him!
Lots to do today, to make up for the hours lost yesterday, plus hustling new work. I’m looking forward to that break over Memorial Day Weekend!
Devon
Compass at the Province Lands Center
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Waning Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Pluto Retrograde
Rainy and mild
Still raining, but we need it.
Yoga was good yesterday — different teacher, and it’s always interesting to mix it up. But I got stuck in construction traffic on the way home, which meant I didn’t get home until nearly lunchtime.
Worked flat out all afternoon, though. Revised 5 chapters of HEART-SNATCHER — fixed (I hope) a logistics error and then moved forward. Worked with the students. The growth in the year-long is terrific, and the Settings as Character people are coming up with some really rich, unique detail in the exercises. That makes it a lot of fun.
Polishing the lectures for the Antagonist workshop this Saturday. Polishing up the presentation for the workshop I’m teaching at the high school on May 19. Still waiting for dates to be confirmed with an organization that promised to solidify things at the beginning of the week.
Getting the next round of visitors sorted out — great thing about living on the Cape, people come see us. And there are tons of events and fun things coming up — so I’m trying to figure out what I can do, and what I have to pass. The thing about events around here is they’re once-and-done — they don’t keep repeating stuff. So, if you see something you want to do, better jump on it. And stuff tends to be scheduled for the same day, so it’s really about prioritizing. Which is hard, when there are so many great things to do!
Getting the car serviced this morning, and then it’s back to work. The good thing about rainy days is I can’t mow, so I have more time to work. The bad thing — I’m literally watching the grass grow! You can see the difference in just a couple of hours. I know what I’ll be doing every spare moment this weekend!
To the page before I have to drive to the mechanic.
Devon
Don’t forget to sign up for Amazing Antagonists on May 12. Registration closes tomorrow!
The tulip tree at my great uncle’s in Maine
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Waning Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Pluto Retrograde
Rainy and cool
Saturday’s the Amazing Antagonists Workshop, a day of creating fascinating, complex characters to be good obstacles for your protagonist. Sign up now — registration closes Friday night, so you can’t suddenly wake up Saturday morning and decide you want in!
Information and registration here.
Worked flat out all day yesterday, trying to get it all done, get the grocery shopping, bill paying, all that other stuff done along with the actual work so I can pay the bills! It was too wet to mow (aw), but hopefully, it will help both the grass seed and the anti-ant stuff I had to put down (yet again). And I’m doing the laundry rather piece-meal — a few loads here, a few loads there.
Designed and printed a new Fearless Ink business card. I really want to redesign the website, too. It’s a little too simple, and I think I’ll upload the portfolio, so there are samples.
Spent some time with students, sent back a bunch of assignments where I asked for two scenes and they submitted four or five. Two scenes means TWO scenes. And, when I’ve provided a tip sheet on what a scene IS and you ignore it — no, the assignment goes back. When I say you can’t use something from a current WIP, and I recognize the characters and the location from another class — it’s going back. There’s a reason the assignments are structured in a certain way and build in a certain way. I’m trying to get them to look at structure in a way that supports their overall work, so they’re very aware of the weight and balance of each scene and the importance of each scene in relation to the scenes around it, and don’t dilute their stories with needless wandering. Learn how to read and apply guidelines. It’ll help a lot of submissions being deleted unread when you submit!
Didn’t get as much of my own writing done as I would have liked, but I’ll make up for it today.
Drafted a PSA and a press release for my pro bono client; am waiting for the green light to get it out. Contacted an editor to find out when I’ll get the specs for an article they asked me to write — they forgot to send them or thought someone else was sending them or something. In any case, I never got them, and the deadline was last Monday. But they are holding the spot for me, and I’ll do it this week.
Two new assignments from Confidential Job #1, both of which look terrific, and I can’t wait to sink my teeth into them.
Made the appointments to get the car serviced (tomorrow) and the cats to the vet next week. Yup. All three at once. Get it over with. Whew! That’ll be a chunk of change!
Attended an open house for the American Business Women’s Association over in Hyannis. I had a good time and met some interesting people. I’ve been to a couple of these type of events elsewhere, and it’s all corporate types gossiping about things that aren’t any of their business (well, that’s what gossip is, isn’t it?) This event was completely different. The participants were lively and interesting, representing a wide array of professions, and they could talk about a vast array of topics. One could have a conversation, not just blah, blah, blah, buy this, blah, blah, blah. I’m glad I went, and I’m interested in spending more time with them to find out what they’re about. I don’t know how much I can do that this summer — which is already booked to the gills between teaching and visitors and the Cape Cod Writers Conference and yoga and my own book deadlines. But it’s nice to know it’s there, and I may get more involved in the fall.
A potential client who talked big of course did not come through. Not at all surprising, and I’m relieved to be out of that one! If you’re trying to present yourself as progressive and ethically responsible, you better be able to back it up, and this one can’t. Doesn’t have the balls.
The positive result is that the project that this individual had blown a lot of hot air about how fabulous it was, how important participating in it was, and then backed out of because the individual can’t walk the talk, is taking a new direction that’s both more economically viable and will get us a broader, international audience. So it all worked out for the best.
A colleague of mine had a great episode central to his character on his TV show last night. He did an awesome job. So happy for him.
I’m going to yoga this morning, since I have to take in the car tomorrow to Plymouth. It always rains when I go to yoga!
Going to try to get a little bit of time on the page before yoga.
Devon
Member of Broad Universe
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Associate Member, PEN American Center
Hex Breaker by Devon Ellington. A Jain Lazarus Adventure. Hex Breaker Jain Lazarus joins the crew of a cursed film, teaming with tough, practical Detective Wyatt East on an adventure fighting zombies, ceremonial magicians, the town wife-beater, the messenger of the gods, and their own pasts.
Coming Soon from Solstice Publishing. More info to follow!
Visit the site for the Jain Lazarus adventures.
"Town Crier" by Devon Ellington. Jain travels to Maine to face down a death-warning spirit who's not what he seems. Coming soon!
"The Possession of Nattie Filmore: A Jain Lazarus Adventure” by Devon Ellington. If you loved HEX BREAKER, you’ll love spending time with Jain and Wyatt as they try to solve a haunted house mystery. Read an excerpt of the story here.
"First Feet" by Devon Ellington. Jain, Wyatt, and Billy are in far-flung locations on a snowy New Year's Eve when they are visited by a mysterious "first footer.". Read an excerpt here ASSUMPTION OF RIGHT
Witchcraft, theatre, and politics collide & combine as Morag D'Anneville & Secret Service Agent Simon Keane fight to protect the Vice President of the United States -- or is it Morag who needs Simon's protection?
June 2011 from Champagne Books
DIXIE DUST RUMORS
By Jenny Storm. A young girl fights to save her horse trainer father's reputation when vicious rumors could ruin their lives. Purchase from eTreaures Publishing!
Penny's Dreadfuls Fast, fun, retro-futuristic fiction in the best tradition of the infamous Penny Dreadfuls! These stories are being re-worked and will be re-issued through a new site in October of 2012.
Full Circle: An Ars Concordia Anthology. Edited by Colin Galbraith. My story is “Pauvre Bob”, set at Arlington Race Track in Illinois is included in this wonderful collection of short stories and poetry. You can download it free here.
