Fri. Aug. 30, 2013: Brain Fatigue

Friday, August 30, 2013
Waning Moon
Cloudy and warmer

Not very productive yesterday, although I got some stuff done in the morning. Suffering from brain fatigue, I think. Worked with students, got a few things cleared out of the way, went grocery shopping.

Read a terrific book, DEATH OF AN AMBITIOUS WOMAN by Barbara Ross. Really well-written.

Cooked a pork roast in a spice marinade, roasted fingerling potatoes, red cabbage, for dinner.

Giving myself the weekend off, my houseguest leaves Monday, and then it’s back into the writing routine. My brain needs the break right now, and I need to refill the creative well. I’m waiting to hear back on a few projects, and I can’t set my schedule until I know what’s coming through and what isn’t.

Thinking about applying for a residency for next spring. Not sure what to do. Tired of feeling like I’m on other people’s schedules all the time.

Devon

Thurs. Aug. 29, 2013: Fun Times Going into the Weekend

Thursday, August 29, 2013
Waning Moon
Cloudy and cool

Yesterday morning, my houseguest had a medical issue, so we spent the morning getting it taken care of and then filling perscriptions. That’s the good thing about being a freelancer — I can bend my schedule when things like that happen.

In the afternoon, I get some work done, especially the notes for the Mermaid Ball Meeting. Imp pruned back the forsythia bushes that turned the garage into a grotto. We headed out early, so Imp could meet Triton; and I had a meeting with the lighting/sound designer for the play I’m doing next winter.

We could only stay for an early part of the meeting, then had to head back to Hyannis, because I’d committed us to Green Drinks. The venue was great — an eco boutique and art gallery. I see holiday shopping at those local businesses in my future!

The friend who’s living in Amsterdam was there, so we had a fun reunion, and she knew some of the other people who attended, so it was a good time all around. Then, the three of us went to Craigville Mexican and Pizza, down by the beach, for a quick snack. I’ve driven past it ever since I moved here, but I’ve never eaten there. It’s good! And the staff is really great. So that was fun. And it was nice to get together and catch up in person.

Today, I have to make up for the work that didn’t get done yesterday, and do a grocery run. The weather looks a bit iffy.

Gas prices went up six cents in the past few days. Figures — although they’re using Syria as an excuse, it’s about the holiday weekend. The oil companies will do anything they can to gouge the public, while making tens of billions of dollars in profit every quarter. They should be cutting everyone a break instead, but that would be . . .humane, and we know that, no matter what kind of advertising these creatures buy to pretend they give a damn about community and people, it’s all about their own profit.

Devon

Wed. Aug. 27, 2013: Rain and Work

Wednesday, August 27, 2013
Waning Moon
Cloudy and cool

Yesterday was a mostly quiet day — computer work in the morning, errands in the afternoon. I was interviewed by Michelle Pillow later in the day — that will be in the November issue of the publication for which the interview was for. I talked about the paranormal elements in the Jain Lazarus books and in ASSUMPTION OF RIGHT.

Got the blue satin sashes ironed and rolled — they can go back to the NMLC tonight for the meeting.

Didn’t get enough writing done, which was frustrating.

Today, I need to have a productive morning, and then, this afternoon, it’s first off to Buzzards Bay for a meeting, and then to Green Drinks in Hyannis.

Time to work!

Devon

Tues. Aug. 27, 2013: Workday

Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Waning Moon
Rainy and warm

I had a good workday yesterday. I got a lot of admin done, did a wrap-up document for the Mermaid Ball, got permission to post the Casting Notice for NMLC productions, got out two conference proposals for next spring, resigned from the Centerville Beautification Committee, and un-enrolled from two Coursera courses. They’re good courses, but I’m not putting in the time to do well and enjoy them, so they had to go. It’s not fair to anyone to sit in a class and not fully participate. I don’t allow it in my classes; I won’t disrespect someone else’s class by doing the same thing.

I got some character work done on the book-specific characters for the next book in the mystery series, and some plot and character work done on another piece, while also working out some plot details for the comic ghost story.

Worked with students. I’ve accepted a new year-long student starting in January — I’m excited about her potential. After all the rejections I’ve sent out in the past few weeks, and the arguments from students who don’t want to do the work and can’t be bothered to follow application instructions, it’s great to find someone with whom I’m excited to be working.

Worked on grant proposal stuff for the next NMLC play. I’m putting together those figures at the same time I’m getting the re-casting sorted out for the re-mounting of the play, because grant and play all happen the same week, and I want the grant out the door before things get too crazy with rehearsals.

Read in the afternoon a bit, both for fun and for Confidential Job #1.

Unwrapped the chair decorations from the Mermaid Ball. I have to iron all the navy blue satin sashes today and roll them, but I want to bring everything back tomorrow.

Up at 4 AM because Violet was howling; it was raining, so I put out the buckets to catch rainwater for the garden.

I want to get some work done on articles due next week, and clear off some work for Confidential Job #1 this week, so I can invoice by the end of the week.

Need to do some work on the fantasy novel and the shorter pieces.

To work!

Devon

Mon. Aug. 26, 2013: Stressful weekend

Monday, August 26, 2013
Waning Moon
Cloudy and cool

Quite a weekend. I left early on Friday morning to drive to CT. Obviously, not early enough, because I was stuck in traffic for the entire length of the state of CT. What a nightmare. And there was no good reason for it, other than most of the people driving were idiots. It’s a highWAY, not a highSTAND, so keep moving and stay off your frigging cell phones, because you’re not smart enough to talk and drive at the same time!

I was an exhausted wreck by the time I arrived, hours later than I should have.

Didn’t get much done, other than checking on a few things and doing some work on Confidential Job #1. I managed to plot out a suspense novel in the car — not sure how or where I’ll fit it in, but I like the premise. It would be a quick, down and dirty 50-60K thriller. Lean writing, tight plotting.

Didn’t sleep particularly well–the dog kept waking me up.

Up early Saturday morning, got some work done. Costume Imp was heading out from Brooklyn, and he ran into a few obstacles — he was a bit later than hoped, but not as late as he feared, so it all worked out. He had a swim in the pool, we had lunch, packed the car, and headed back.

Into another nightmare across the state of CT. It took longer to get from Greenwich to Niantic (1/3 of the way) than the entire rest of the way up. Unacceptable.

The Book Barn in Niantic was a great place of refuge. And, once we got past Mystic, it was pretty smooth sailing all the way back to the Cape.

We stopped at KFC and had a very late dinner (the trip took twice as long as it should have), along with some prosecco. The cats were delighted to see us — Iris, in particular, was very feisty and playful, and wrestled with Imp for his chicken.

I was up early yesterday, puttered around on the deck, did the laundry, got a bit of grocery shopping done, and read CARNIEPUNK, the anthology. Liked most of the stories in it. Unfortunately, two of them were in present tense — I LOATHE prose in present tense. To me, it the author going, “Look at ME!!!! Look at what a cool stylist I am!!!” instead of letting the story speak. I’d flip through longer works by both these authors, but put them down if they were in present tense. Unless I am paid so to do, I will not read prose in present tense. I hate it, it irritates me, it completely destroys my suspension of disbelief and pushes me irrevocably out of the story.

However, some of my favorite authors (Kevin Hearne and Nicole Peeler) were in the anthology, and so were some new-to-me authors whose work I will now track down and read.

Speaking of Kevin Hearne, he posted a list of titles that were rejected by his editor for a new piece. I fell in love with one of the titles. First, begging his pardon, I asked him to write a story that goes with one of the titles (I apologized, because I know how much I hate it when someone tells me what I “should” write). Then, I asked him if I could take the title and run with it. He said yes. I promised that if the piece turned out well, I would dedicate it to him, and if it didn’t work, I’d keep my mouth shut!

I’m playing with it and having fun. It’s a comic ghost story.

I have another idea that’s getting ready to manifest. It’s just out of reach. It’s been hovering on the fringes for awhile. I have the opening paragraph, and a strong image from about 2/3 of the way through it. Now, I have to figure out the rest.

Have to get a lot of work done today, including composing a sending a letter of resignation to an organization I’m leaving. It’s just not working out — too much work is being dumped on me (without pay), and I spend all my time being angry and resentful. We are not a good fit, and it’s time to part ways. It’s good for them to have me clean up the mess, but detrimental to me on many levels to remain. So, I won’t.

Time to see how much I can get done today! Especially on the fantasy trilogy.

Devon

Fri. Aug. 23, 2013: I Have a Clean House!

Friday, August 23, 2013
Waning Moon
Cloudy and humid

Yesterday wound up being a sad day. We learned that Malleus, the Mike of the “Mike & Ike” pair of seal pups, did not make it through the night after his surgery. The surgery was a risk, but his only chance of rehabilitation/release, so it was done. Poor, sweet little thing! Of the pair, he was always the anxious, needy, worried one, while Ike was bolder and more confident. Ike was released last Sunday, and is playing in the ocean — may Mike’s spirit find him so they can play together in the waves.

Losing an animal is tough on everyone connected with the organization, but especially on those who are involved in the daily care.

It also points out how individual each of these magnificent creatures are, and how important every individual one of them is. There’s a reason they’re protected under the Marine Mammals Act, and that’s the way it needs to stay.

Back on the home front, I turned up the music and scrubbed the house done, in anticipation of company. Scrubbed the bathrooms, kitchen, washed the floors, dusted, vacuumed, tidied up. Even though I clean regularly, it’s amazing how dirty everything gets again.

Put some more books in the “get rid of” box. I was furious when I picked up a mystery that pretended to take place backstage on a Broadway show, but had the costume designer doing the dresser’s job. In the slot, not just an extra pair of hands in an emergency. I put the book down on p. 12. Wrong union, dumbass! The designer and the dresser have different and carefully delineated jobs. As a professional in the field, I’m insulted that the so-called author COULDN’T BE BOTHERED to do the research to find out what people’s jobs actually are. As a writer, when I set something against a backdrop of a profession I don’t know, I have enough respect for those who work in the profession to do my research. Not only did the book go into the box, I found a few more by this author, and they ALL went into the box. The author broke my trust in a way that can’t be repaired. If I can’t trust the author on this, I can’t suspend my disbelief on anything else, either. I skimmed to the back of the book and the climax was STUPID — beyond ridiculous — and the book ended at the climax. No resolution, no breath at the end, just left things dangling.

NEXT!

Got the next assignment from Confidential Job #1. Looking forward to it.

Negotiations for a job didn’t work out. We really like each other, but I can’t afford to work for them at that low a rate. They’re trying to find a way to increase their budget to at least meet the lowest end of what I can work for, but for the moment, they’re going with someone cheaper.

Still sorting stuff out on the fantasy trilogy. I need to get back to drafting on that next week. I want to get the entire trilogy out the door before the end of the year, and I have to get back to work on Book 2 of the mystery series.

Today will be busy, but, hopefully, good.

And . . .company’s coming!

Have a great weekend!

Devon

Thurs. Aug. 22, 2013: Deep in the Book

Thursday, August 22, 2013
Waning Moon
Cloudy and humid

Got some work done yesterday morning, caught up with students, etc.

The afternoon was even better — I worked on the fantasy trilogy. I needed to introduced some characters, needed for where I am now, earlier or it wouldn’t make sense. I went back and did some of that, then updated the Series Bible, then figured out where I need a couple more inserts. By the end of today, that should bring me where I need to be to move forward.

The first book is where it needs to be to go into the next draft. It can simmer while I finish the next two. I need all three submission-ready before I start the process. I’ve got a good idea where I’m going to send it, and plan to have a solid proposal package put together. At the risk of sounding egotistical, I did some pretty awesome world building in this one!

I do, however, have to cut most of the first three chapters, because the story really starts at the end of Chapter Three, and that needs to be the end of Chapter One.

I need about 5-6 more chapters in this draft of Book II, and then I can write Book III as outlined. I feel really good about it.

Finally heard back from the place that’s been jerking my chain and not communicating on the script proposal. They turned me down because there was humor in the piece and they only do “serious” work. I’d set out in the proposal my position that you create more memorable and stronger emotional truth using humor, so it’s ha-ha-OW!, but it seems they’re only interested in the dour. Those shortlisted all write bleak, hopeless pieces. If they wanted bleak and hopeless, they should have specified it in the guidelines! 😉 What that does, though, is take a huge burden off me for the next two weeks of my schedule, so it is a blessing. My ego’s a bit bruised, but it’s all for the best on both scheduling and creative levels.

Today is mostly cleaning the house, in preparation for guests. And sneaking in work on the book. There’s some correspondence that needs to get out, but cleaning and writing are the two big priorities.

Onward!

Devon

Wed. Aug. 21, 2013: Getting Back to Work

Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Waning Moon
Sunny and a little humid

I hit the ground running so hard yesterday that I didn’t realize I hadn’t blogged!

Monday was not a very productive day. I still had a post-Ball hangover, and not an alcohol-related one (I only had a single drink the entire evening). I was simply exhausted. I unloaded the car, started putting things away, started tidying up for the guests, tried to do some wrap-up. I have to accept the fact that I simply cannot bounce back as quickly as I’d like anymore. I’m not 20 — I need more recovery time from big events.

I read a lot, which was good. Well, some of the books were good, some — not so much, as it happens.

Yesterday, I was up early. I worked on the deck — I’m cleaning up and rearranging. I’m cutting back the plants that are done for the season, prepping for some fall planting, and so forth. I’ve split the area into thirds, doing a third each for the next few days. Yesterday’s third included cleaning the lanterns hanging from the wall.

Then, I polished and sent off my articles for one publication — one on labyrinths, and one on retreats. I got some quotes back from a source and put together another interview, got that off to that editor, who was very pleased. Pitched for several jobs. Heard back from a couple of them. One of them, I’d really like to do, but I’m not sure we can work out the numbers. Another just flat-out can’t afford me. The third says there’s a family emergency and can’t get back to me until next week, but liked my samples, so we’ll see. All of these would be a ton of fun, so we’ll see what happens.

Spent quite a bit of time outside, Tessa with me. That’s the great thing about what I do — I can set up outside and work, and be just as or more productive than I would be in an office. Worked with students a bit.

I’ve rejected a stack of students for the autumn slots. Refusal to follow directions, misplaced sense of entitlement, don’t want to actually put in the work, and zero knowledge of basic, third-grade level grammar/spelling/punctuation. How did these people ever graduate high school, much less go to college? Talk about a failed educational system. Not to mention they argue when they’re rejected, and expect the parameters of the program to change to suit them. NO. My house, my rules. You don’t follow them, you don’t fit in. You get in by following the guidelines, showing a strong work ethic, and that’s how your spark of creativity shines. Believe me, I understand problems with authority. But this is not a service organization. It is an apprenticeship program. It’s about finding the right teacher. If you want to chase butterflies across the field and THINK about writing rather than ACTUALLY writing, go ahead; but I am not the right teacher for you and you are not the right student for me. Find someone who is about the thinking rather than the writing, and work with that person. Arguing isn’t going to get me to change my mind. Submitting something brilliant in clean copy in the correct format will. So shut up and deal.

Every minute I spend on student work is a minute not spent on my own. It has to be worth it, and that goes beyond any kind of fee.

Looking back at the Twelve Days of Christmas stories, wondering how I’m going to fold them back into the queue so they are ready to go this winter. They will be tons of fun — they’re a little wacky — it’s just a case of making sure they are truly ready to be downloaded each day. Each would only be available for one day. The following year, I might collect them and release them as an e-book.

Did some figuring out on the fantasy novel — there are several characters I need to go back and introduce earlier. I realized I needed them later for pivotal scenes, but they already have to be established. So I’ll look at that today. The “who” and the “where”.

Got my certificates from both the archaeology and climate literacy classes. I was surprised — I was sure I didn’t meet the requirements in the latter. But I’m pleased. Have to update the resume with those.

Lovely full moon last night, and lovely full moon ceremony.

Laundry’s going downstairs, and have to do some grocery shopping later, and more tidying up. Have some admin to do, too. Busy day — lots of clearing out and catching up.

Devon

Mon. Aug. 19, 2013: Recovery and Moving Ahead

Monday, August 19, 2013
Waxing Moon near full
Sunny and pleasant

Busy few days. Friday, my friend left, and I finished up my costume. Of course, that was the day my sewing machine decided to act up. Go figure. Ended up doing more hand sewing than I planned, but it all worked out in the end. Packed up the costume, packed up the car. It all worked out.

Left the house at 8:30 in the morning on Saturday. Went by the NMLC first to load up the car and help everyone else load, before heading over to the Bay Pointe Club in Onset. We unloaded and got to work.

The space was really lovely for the Ball — light, airy, high-ceilinged, and we could expand out onto the terrace. The staff was lovely and easy to work with.

We worked until three, dispersed to get ready. It took me 40 minutes to drive to a friend’s house that was only about 6 miles away, due to the traffic going on-Cape. Absolutely ridiculous. Especially since, if the bulk of the drivers used common sense instead of being complete and utter morons, the traffic might slow down, but there wouldn’t be the kinds of problems there always are.

Got into costume (with help). Then it was time to drive back. Fortunately, my friend knew back roads. It was also quite the challenge to drive while wearing a corset.

The Ball itself was lovely. We were sold out, the weather was terrific. The Buzzards Bay Buccaneers were there, and they brought their pirate ship (parked out back) so people could be photographed with them. The games went well (I’m not a game person, but people enjoyed them), the dinner was nice, the band was great, and the live and silent auctions went well.

Check out was a little frantic, as usual. When people want us to pack fragile items, they need to stay put until we return, not wander off and expect us to hunt them down. It’s way too busy for that.

Load out was okay, although we were all pretty wiped out by then. I also have to accept that I simply do not have the stamina I had when I was thirty, or even forty.

I took all the decorations/swag from the chair backs, stuffed them into bags, and took them home. I will take them apart and wrap them/fold them properly so they are all set for next year. Otherwise, we’d have been there until 4 AM.

Even though I wore flat boots, by the end of the night, my feet were killing me. Next year, I’m changing into bunny slippers for the load out!

Driving home, again in the corset, was an interesting challenge. Yet, at the same time, I was so tired that it was a relief to have that boning in place to support me.

I left a trail of costume pieces as I went back into the house, surprising the cats. Iris and Violet were asleep on the sofa together (I think they thought I wasn’t coming home unitl morning). Tessa scampered downstairs as soon as she heard me and “helped”.

I poured a shot of single malt, tried (and failed) to find something worth watching on TV, and relaxed for a bit before heading for bed. Had quite the challenge scrubbing off all the make-up. Finally got to bed around 2.

The cats got me up at 6:30. Fed them, tried to go back to sleep, couldn’t, showered, puttered, fell asleep on the couch around 9 AM, woke up just before 1. Had something to eat, did some work on the computer, spent the rest of the day on the couch, alternating between dozing and reading. I was very excited about the book when I started, but the further into it I got, the more it fell apart. Oh, well.

Managed to stay awake to watch NEWSROOM last night (my favorite show); slept in this morning. I have to pull it together and do a productive days’ work.

I’ve got some articles to write, some follow-up to do, and the fantasy novel on which to work. Plus, get some work done on the play.

I’m still waiting for the short list to be announced for the other play — we were supposed to hear on July 30, then it was pushed back to August 15 and still nothing. The deadline was May 30. If I didn’t make the cut, that’s fine, but to promise a decision and then just not come through makes me wonder if this company can be trusted to actually do the reading/production as promised. If I can read 35 BOOKS in a six week contest period as a judge, this committee can read 12-page proposals in double that time. I may withdraw from consideration. I feel like we’re being jerked around. If something happened to delay it, communicate. Don’t just leave us hanging.

A colleague at a publication forwarded me an article yesterday about a local group that wants to take action that is not only illegal, but brutal and infuriating. I have come up with absolutely gory and poetically, mythically just (in the sense of Ancient Greek justice) ways to dispatch them in the third Sustainability Mystery. I am sure that when the karma dogs come to visit these individuals, the results will be even more unique than anything I could come up with.

Back to work.

Devon

Fri. Aug. 16, 2013: Mermaid Ball Prep and Playtime

Friday, August 16, 2013
Waxing Moon
Sunny and pleasant

Got some work cleared off my desk yesterday, after a late start, while my friend hung out and played with the cats. The afternoon was caught up with picking up Mermaid Ball donations down the east end of the Cape, which was fun, because my friend could see a part of the area he’s never visited before. We came back and he did some work on the motorcycle (the neighbors were oh, so interested), and then took a picnic to one of the beaches to watch the sunset.

I hadn’t been on a motorcycle in ages and forgot what fun it is.

So I didn’t get enough work done, but I had a good day.

Today is a quiet day for me. I’m finishing the costume for tomorrow, putting together the fabrics and pins and other stuff I have to bring, packing the car, etc., because tomorrow is the Ball! We’re sold out, which is spectacular, and it will be a fun event.

I figured out some more stuff for the fantasy novel, and have to get that into play over the next few days. I’m waiting to hear if I’ve been short-listed for a playwrighting contest — first I was supposed to know by July 30, then by yesterday, and, still, nothing, although my status comes up as “processing/under consideration.” I need to know what’s going on, because that status will decide the priorities for the next two weeks.

Reconnected with some old friends from Broadway days, and we’re catching up via email. So glad we’re back in touch!

Lots to do today, including finishing up some articles. Late start, and I’ve got to mow to terraced area (my friend is a sweetheart, but it would never occur to him to mow, because he doesn’t think like that — grass should grow, weeds have a purpose, all of which I agree, but the lawn still needs mowing. If I ASK him, he’d agree in a heartbeat, and get distracted a quarter of the way through).

To work.

Devon

Thurs. Aug. 15, 2013: Writing Hangover

Thursday, August 15, 2013
Waxing Moon
Sunny and pleasant

Yesterday was an outstanding writing day, at least for the fantasy novel. Nearly 7K. I have one or two more chapters and this section is done. Then, I skip ahead in the chronology of the piece to what will be the final third of this middle volume, then it’s off to the last volume, which seems to come full circle to where the book started, but actually goes beyond.

It meant I didn’t get much else done, but the novel burned, and it’s at a delicate, critical stage, which means it had to take first priority, and everything else had to work around it.

Six loads of laundry in the new machines. Nice to catch up.

Add to that, a former flame/old friend showed up. Fortunately, he’s very supportive of the writing, and made sure I had the cocoon in which to work. He read the mystery novel that’s going out on submission and loves it; read the draft material of the fantasy novel and was thrilled with it. This is someone who always tells me when I’ve gone off the rails on a project, so it was nice to get the positive feedback.

Did some pick ups for the Mermaid Ball and some drop offs at the libraries. Headed to the meeting, but only stayed an hour. Mermaid Ball is sold out, and things are on track. I think it will be a lovely evening.

Came back to a great dinner cooked by my friend, and we caught up. I hadn’t seen him in five years, so there was quite a bit of catching up to do!

This morning, I have to get the work done that wasn’t done yesterday, and then head East to do more Mermaid Ball pick-ups. Also going to work on the tail for my costume.

I’m going to do some work on the novel, although I’m worried I’ll get caught up in it again and everything else will fall by the wayside. Next week, that can happen, but not this week. At the same time, I can’t risk losing the momentum. My friend is here until tomorrow, so we’ll have a good chance to catch up, and he’s good about letting me work when I need to.

I’ve refused several potential students for the upcoming private student slots. If they can’t follow the instructions on the application, they are certainly not going to survive the pace, intensity, and expectations of the program. My work with private students is not a service; it’s an apprenticeship program. You meet the standards, or you’re gone. I do not lower/change the requirements. You have to rise to them. Or you are refused. Every moment spent on student work is a moment not spent on my own. I only want to spend time with students who are serious and committed to their writing.

Moment by moment. Best I can do.

Devon

Wed. Aug. 14, 2013: That Delicate State of Creation

Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Waxing Moon
Rainy and muggy

The new washer/dryer were delivered and hooked up yesterday. They are tiny compared to the previous ones! I’ll put a table or something in between them. This morning, I’m catching up on all the loads of laundry that accumulated, and then I have a lot of errands to do before I hit the Mermaid Ball meeting.

Yesterday, everything got cancelled, because I was at a delicate, crucial stage in the work on the fantasy trilogy. Originally, it was envisioned as one book, but there’s too much story and too much sweep to explore what I want to explore to do that. I figured out where to break it, and what to call each book, putting it together as a trilogy under the original title. The first book is completely drafted, and two thirds of the second book is drafted. I know where I want to go from here — I had a solid, 12 page writer’s rough outline for it, on which I expanded, based on notes I took re-reading the draft material I have three or four times. I want to have the entire trilogy ready before I start submission, and I’ve got my top two choices of publishers picked out. I think a realistic deadline is the end of this year, although I’d prefer it sooner.

Also, started the second book in the mystery series.

But, the focus was on the fantasy novel. That’s what’s been pulling at me hardest; that’s what feels right at this moment. It’s in much better shape than I remembered.

Today, I can move forward on drafting, and I also have to write a review and two articles, plus do all the running around. Should be a busy day.

Mermaid Ball is this weekend — should be tons of fun.

Devon

Mon. Aug. 12, 2013: Post Conference and Moving Forward

Monday, August 12, 2013
Waxing Moon
Cloudy and pleasant

Busy weekend. Friday, we wrapped up the conference, packed up. It was fun. I’m really glad I did it this year, and I’m already looking forward to next year.

Spent the weekend working on the tweaks for the book and the proposal, and did a final proofreading pass yesterday. Tightened a few things, caught some errors, amped up the synopsis, updated the proposal package. It’s off my desk and on my agent’s desk.

Read some drafts of other pieces I’d put aside, because I was frustrated with them. I was surprised by how much I liked them, especially the fantasy novel. In fact, I was up until 2 AM reading the fantasy novel last night, and getting excited about it all over again.

Iris had another episode yesterday, but is much better today. Violet and Tessa took good care of her.

Yesterday was the reception in Buzzard’s Bay for Mermaid Ball sponsors. It was a lot of fun, and we got some good catching up done. I also ran around and did some pick ups for the ball.

I’m exhausted, but I’ve got at least two articles and two reviews to get out today. I’m eager to start the next book in the series, but feel that I don’t want to jinx the proposal making the rounds. And I’m eager to get back to the fantasy novel. That’s two fantasy novels that need another draft or two and then can go out.

I also need a nap! And it’s not even noon!

Devon