Tues. Feb. 26, 2013: Ebooks and Rehearsals

Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Waning Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Mercury Retrograde
Sunny and milder

Yesterday started off as a good day — knocked out a review and got it to my editor; typed up the article I’d written the night before, edited it and pitched it; pitched two articles to a publication into which I’ve wanted to appear for years; started on another article; worked with students. Most importantly, I had an excellent writing session on my own novel, which put me into a pretty decent mood.

Frustrations started happening in the afternoon, everything from checks that were supposed to be here last week still not showing up to casting problems with the play. We lost an actor to a series pilot — understandable. An actress flaked, and she wouldn’t even have let me know if I hadn’t checked in with her about something about last night’s rehearsal. I was NOT amused, especially since she doesn’t seem to think it’s an issue, just to bail without notice. Needless to say, I won’t be using her for anything else. Burn me once, shame on you. Burn me twice, shame on me. I found someone else who really wants to do it who ended up having to race to the hospital on a family emergency, so last night wasn’t a possibility, and we’re trying to figure out if we can make it work.

So, we were down two actors for the hospital tour and the read-through. But we coped, and the three actors we have are awesome. Completely the right choices. And they seemed very interested in the workings of the hospital. Townsend is emotionally ready to go, I think. He’s restless. Hopefully, we’ll be able to release him soon.

We loaded up my car with props afterwards, and I came home to work on leads for the other two actors. I have a meeting with one today — hopefully that will work out — he seems eager, and I know he’s really good.

I was exhausted by the time I got home, but so keyed up I couldn’t sleep.

Woke up with an excruciating migraine this morning.

Hop on over to A Biblio Paradise, where I talk about my non-fiction E-books and the Topic Workbooks.

I have a lot to get done today, and a meeting tonight, so, deep breath and jump in. Migraine or not, it all has to get done.

Devon

Tues. Feb. 5, 2013: The Minimum Doesn’t Cut It

Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Waning Moon
Cloudy and cold

Marian Lanouette is my guest over on A Biblio Paradise, interviewed about her Jake Carrington series. Stop on by and drop a comment!

The February To-Do List is up on the GDR site. Short month, a lot to do.

I’m frustrated with a few people today, but venting isn’t going to do any good. Let’s just say I hate it when they waste my time, and I’m going to have to make changes to make sure that they don’t in the future.

Worked with students, finished an editing job, got out some pitches, ran errands, went grocery shopping, worked on SEVEN OF SWORDS. I’m almost there, I’ve almost unlocked what I want to fix in it. I’m hoping to get it finished and out the door this morning before my lunch meeting.

Finished Louise Penny’s BURY YOUR DEAD yesterday, and it was so well done and so tragic (in the large sense), that I was in tears by the end of it. The way she had characters re-live a traumatic event, through flashbacks throughout, is not something most people could pull off. But she did it effectively. Part of that is because she is a master of her craft. She understands structure, and therefore, when she goes against the expectations, she has the craft behind her to pull it off. Writers earlier in their careers, who can’t be bothered to learn structure, try this same type of maneuver, and most of them fail miserably. And it’s because they can’t be bothered to learn structure. It’s blatantly obvious when a skilled writer deviates from tradition and pulls it off, and an unskilled writer can’t be bothered.

It always amazes me when people say they want to learn how to do something– be it writing or anything else — and then can’t be bothered to learn the skills required for it. And then they’re surprised when they don’t succeed. If all you ever put in to something is the minimum, you won’t get more out of it.

Better get back to work — I need to clear a lot off my desk before I leave.

Devon

You can still sign up for “Journal into Fiction”, from Feb. 11-15. Transform journal entries into viable fiction. Registration and information here.

If you’re based on the Cape and/or South Shore, come try out of MURDER “SEALS” THE DEAL, Feb. 11 & 13, with callbacks the 15th. Detailed information here.

Thurs. Aug. 9, 2012: LOVE this Conference!

First of all, the Cape Cod Writers Conference is awesome. I’m learning so much and having so much fun!

Second, I’m over on Book Boost talking about “Weeds in the Writing Garden” here, and “When Does Your Year Start?” (as Annabel Aidan) over on The Writers Vineyard here.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Full Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Jupiter Retrograde
Cloudy and pleasant

So, I’m sore in places I forgot I had. I meant to only go and reorganize the large unit, but we were on a roll, and wound up consolidating the smallest unit into it. I’ve got some things to be re-boxed this morning (the boxes are breaking), and I want to find an accessible area to stack the “Misc.” boxes so I can go through them and purge over the next few months, but we got a lot done. And today, after the re-boxing, I want to get at least 1/3 of the medium unit folded in.

I found a bunch of stuff I forgot I had. Some I brought back to the apartment (mostly books, a few dishes, a table). Some boxes I just labelled better so when I need something or when I unpack after the relocation, I’ll have an easier time of it.

I’m still looking for a few books I haven’t managed to locate, but found some that I need. So it’s all good.

The furniture I want to swap out is all stacked in the front corner of the unit for easy access. I’m sorting the stuff that has to go to the electronics recycling and the stuff I want to put up on Freecycle.

It’s quite a long process — a lifetime’s worth of stuff — but it’ll be worth it to get it sorted, organized, and purged BEFORE the big move. Why pay movers to cart stuff to a different state if I’m only going to throw it out once I get there?

Came home, exhausted, picked up Chinese food on the way from my favorite place. Rested a bit, then did some client work and started the assignment for Confidential Job #1, but didn’t get very far. I was distracted by a book called COBWEBS AND CREAM TEAS, about working at Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk. I rented the Mustard Pot cottage on that property several years ago, and love the estate. The people who work there are delightful, and the whole place has a warm, loving atmosphere.

The photo is The Mustard Pot, where I stayed. If you click the Felbrigg Hall link above, you’ll see the actual main house and grounds.

I’ll have to make up for not working on the assignment today, since it’s due tomorrow.

I’m talking to an editor about an article, and a second editor contacted me about some sportswriting; however, the latter is ignoring questions as to frequency of assignment, length of assignment, and, most important, pay. If those questions are not answered, I will tell him to forget it.

The only computer workshop I need to take this month is on a day I can’t go. Oh, well.

Lousy writing session this morning. It’s taking me awhile to find my rhythm again. But I just keep pushing through, and, eventually, I’ll get there. I’m experiencing the part of being a full-time writer that’s not so much fun — facing the page when there is zero inspiration available, and all I’ve got to fall back on is craft. The only way to conquer it is to work through it and not give up because it’s a little more difficult or because I “don’t feel like it.” That’s what separates the pros, who CAN make a living writing from the wanna-bes — we do it eve on the rough days.

The Jupiter Retrograde is having a heavy effect on me this time around — I’m sorting out everything I can when it comes to house and home, and not taking any prisoners! Well, if there’s going to be a retrograde, I might as well use it POSITIVELY, right?

I’m going to attempt a little more work on the page this morning, and then it’s back to storage. I need to get the medium size unit sorted and consolidated by the end of the week.

Devon