Thurs. March 31, 2016: Under the Weather

Thursday, March 31, 2016
Waning Moon
Jupiter Retrograde
Sunny and windy

Tough day yesterday on many fronts, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. Came home feeling awful. Felt better as the evening progressed, fortunately, but had a bad night. Considered going to urgent care, but decided not to.

Up at the regular time, regular morning routine, although I didn’t get much writing done, which always harms the tone for the rest of the day.

Long day at work today, and then a REALLY long day tomorrow with a fundraiser tomorrow night. And then flat out all weekend.

Ordered some books I need for a myriad of projects (both via the library and to own). Getting some research into place for a couple of projects.

I’ve got my wrap-up over on Goals, Dreams, and Resolutions. When I look at the month, I can feel pretty good about it, overall, although the last few days have been very discouraging. But tomorrow starts a new month, and I’m happy about it.

Wed. March 30, 2016: Refilling the Well & Moving Forward

Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Waning Moon
Jupiter Retrograde
Sunny and cool

Busy few days. That seems to be the mantra, doesn’t it?

Saturday was my Saturday “on”, and I was exhausted by the time I came home. I read, worked on contest entries, worked on the outline of the gothic, and percolated on the two short stories I have to write in the next month.

Sunday was Easter — even though we don’t technically celebrate it, the way I do with the Equinox, we ate an egg for breakfast and enjoyed the fact it’s a holiday. The weather wasn’t good enough to work in the yard. I did some planning, though, for what I’d like to do in the yard in the upcoming weeks. I baked a ham, and we had a good holiday dinner.

I worked my way through another stack of contest entries. The entries in the genre I’m currently reading, are, unfortunately, both derivative and weakly-written.

I took a break to read something well-written, which was Dawn Tripp’s novel GEORGIA, about Georgia O’Keefe. It was wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Monday, I did some work in the morning, ran errands, and took my mom to the doctor. The weather was vile, but we got there. Good news — she’s in good shape, n spite of the X-rays and the pulmonary test for which she was sent. But she has to exercise more. On nice days, we’ll walk on the beach. On nasty days, she walks around the house trailing a cat toy, so the cats get exercise, too.

Went to Country Gardens to drop off a sample of the invasive, pick up a present for a colleague, and do some pricing on things I want/need in the next few weeks for the garden.

Came home and percolated on various projects — reading background material, sitting in the office in the reading chair, and just being quiet and contemplative. People don’t realize how important that kind of time is to the creative process. I have ideas for several more paintings and one or two mixed media pieces I’d like to play with, so I’m also going to build more studio time into the schedule. It can’t interfere with the writing, but I also want to make sure that I follow this thread of creativity, simply because I enjoy it.

Went out to dinner at the Black Cat in Hyannis with a writer friend — it was her thank you for me reading a draft of her novel (and giving her nineteen pages of notes on it). We had fun. It was a pleasant evening out, and we both miss the nineties! 😉

Yesterday turned out to be a pretty day. I tried doing a scene for SONGBOUND from a different POV — didn’t work at all for the story. Although I’m working in close third, it needs to remain in Enid’s POV throughout. Good to know.

The play is coming along slowly. Its innate natural rhythm is much slower than a lot of other things I write, although the actual playing pace of it will be brisk enough to keep it from sagging. I have a title — “Just a Drop” — and that’s helping its shape. It won’t be done by tomorrow, which was my original deadline — but I’m pretty sure I can finish it by the end of April, which still gives me May for revisions. Scripts don’t need as much “resting time” in between revisions as novels for me.

Went to a birthday lunch for a work colleague yesterday. She’s a lovely woman, and it was nice to let her know she’s appreciated.

Took my mom to get her medication, and then we walked on the beach. A little windy, but nice. Too windy and raw to work in the yard, though. Tried sitting on the deck for awhile, working, but it was too cold for that, too. In fact, it went down to 33 degrees overnight!

But the seedlings inside are thriving.

I’ve been re-reading some of the books on my shelves — books that meant a lot to me, for one reason or another at different parts of development — and jotting notes down about them, thinking there might be material in there for an essay “someday.” I realized, yesterday, that I have the basis for two non-fiction books. Nonfiction #1 will take about a year to eighteen months to re-read everything and then sort out the material, get in additional statistics and anecdotes; Nonfiction #2 will take between three and five years. Some of this is because they have to fit in and around other projects. Some if because it will just take that darn long. But the process will be a pleasure, and I think I’ll get something good out of it.

Last night was the Artist HobNob, back in Hyannis (I’ve been to Hyannis a lot this week) at Kelly’s on Main. Fun evening, good speaker. Good talk with two other artists, who’ve been very supportive of my foray into mixed media. We’re talking about doing a ‘play date” and just messing around, to see what we come up with. That sounds like fun.

This will be a long week at work — today, tomorrow, and then Friday night we have a big fundraiser, so it will be a 13 hour day for me. Fortunately, I don’t have to work on Saturday — although I’ll be doing plenty of work –errands, dump run, cat food, garden center, yarn shop, etc., etc. Saturday night is the opening of the “Unsafe” exhibit, so I’ll be over there for a couple of hours. Sunday, there’s Julian Cyr’s campaign kickoff in Truro, so I’ll be out there.

I’m hoping the weather will be nice enough to get some yard work done, too!

Plus, of course, work on SONGBOUND SISTERS and “Just a Drop”, starting the short stories, and continuing on with the non-fiction pieces.

I hope it will be a productive spring. A POSITIVE spring.

Devon

Fri. March 25, 2016: Breather Before the Next Round

Friday, March 25, 2016
Waning Moon
Jupiter Retrograde
Alternating sun and rain

I managed to process a lot of books and videos yesterday and get them out, along with some new records. I’m working to replace the person who had to drop out of the ArtWeek panel, and trying to get together the PR materials for the Shakespeare Tribute, and getting some more information out about the House and Garden Tour in June.

Still not feeling great – the fumes from the new carpet are bothering me.

On the writing front, not much new. I gave myself the morning off from writing today. I’m percolating on a couple of things, and a new possibility for an individual grant landed on my desk, so I’m going to see about putting together those materials. I have a new idea for a contemporary radio drama – a ghost story – so I’m playing with that for a bit.

Tomorrow is my Saturday “on”, and then it’s about working on the play set in 17th Century Italy, getting back to work on SONGBOUND SISTERS, and hopefully getting some stuff done in the garden. Maybe painting the new shelf unit, too.

The Asian greens I planted on the Equinox are coming up like gangbusters, and the peas are starting to come up, too. Hopefully, we can grow a lot of good stuff in the garden this year!

Have a great weekend!

Thurs. March 24, 2016: Stacks of Work

Thursday, March 24, 2016
Waning Moon
Jupiter Retrograde
Sunny and cool

Yesterday was a long and frustrating day. I’m glad it’s over. Today will also, no doubt, be long, but hopefully less frustrating.

We did have a program that ran well, though, in spite of a relatively low turnout. I have to make some adjustments on an upcoming program, though, which I hope can be done quickly so the proper PR can go out. I also have a lot of processing/cataloging to do.

I submitted the two short radio plays and the grant proposal. Both were acknowledged; either they are what is wanted in each individual situation, or they’re not. Time will tell.

Got a little bit of writing done this morning, but not enough. I’ve made some notes on revisions for DEATH OF A CHOLERIC, even though that project Is supposed to be “out of sight, out of mind” for the next few weeks. But I didn’t want to forget these editing notes, so I jotted them down. One of them will require a major restructuring of certain relationships in the book, but it fixes a logistical problem that bothered me.

This weekend is my Saturday “on”, but I’m hoping to get some work done in the garden if it’s nice when I get home.

I also need to work on the latest stack of contest entries, work on the play set in 17th century Italy, and get to work drafting the stories that are due at the end of April. Plus, get back to work on SONGBOUND SISTERS, or I’ll get behind. I have another proposal due as soon as I can get it done for a project where the powers that be will try to make me do all the work without any money, which simply is not going to happen.

One step at a time, one word at a time.

Wed. March 23, 2016: Lots of Good News!

Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Full Moon
Jupiter Retrograde
Cloudy and mild

Busy few days! Including a snow storm on the Equinox, although it wasn’t anywhere near as bad as predicted.

Saturday, I had some running around to do, and some writing to do. Baked cupcakes. I’d come home from work on Friday feeling just awful. We think I might be having a bad reaction to the new carpet.

Then, at 2 PM, we hosted Caroline Kepnes at the library. She’s got two wonderfully creepy books out, You and Hidden Bodies. She’s also a smart, funny, terrific person. it was a great presentation. We’re so glad she could fit us in before she went back to LA.

Sunday, I had a few things to pick up at the hardware store to finish prepping my canvas, and then it started to snow. I read and researched, but didn’t do much else. In my mind, I was preparing to write two short radio plays.

I also pulled out of an interview with a theatre company for a project because there are upcoming scheduling conflicts, and we’d all get frustrated. Maybe we’ll work together at a later date. They’re interviewing plenty of candidates for this particular project, so it’s not like I’m the top choice or leaving them in the lurch.

The snow on Sunday night into Monday was more like two inches, instead of ten, which was a relief. I sat down and wrote “Not Such a Bargain”, one of the ten minute plays, finished putting the hardware on the canvas, dropped it off at Cotuit, and then came back and wrote the other short radio play, “Fright Shift.” By then, I was ready for a glass of wine.

I’m happy with both plays, although I think “Not Such a Bargain” is a little stronger. I do love Emily in “Fright Shift”. She’s kind of a bratty teenager, but she gets things done!

Watched CRIMSON PEAK on Monday night. Absolutely gorgeous production design, but Tom Hiddleston’s character was underwritten, and not given enough to show his transformation. He did the best he could with what he had, and I liked that it was the Edith who was the rescuer, not the rescued, but if he’d just been given a handful of lines more in a couple of scenes, it would have worked better for me.

Tuesday, up early and wrote a grant proposal for an individual grant. I had to do a one-page synopsis of where I think SONGBOUND SISTERS is headed, and they also wanted a one-page bibliography of my published work. I could only fit back to 2012 on one page. I might have too many credits for the grant, but I figured it was worth a shot.

Then, I outlined a new project nagging at me — a novel. I see the shape in my head — just have to get it all down, and figure out where to slot it in.

Did some research. Watched CHASING SHADOWS, which is a little odd, but interesting, and THE BIG SHORT — well done, and I still think all of them should be in jail.

Got some excellent news — “Broken Links”, the comic mystery, won first place and will be produced and performed by On the Air Radio Players in June. I’m excited and thrilled! I plan to have a listening party when I get the link. So that was a good note on which to end the day.

Up early this morning to do the revisions on the two short radio plays, and do a final polish on the grant proposal. Today will be a long day at work, with an “Easter Tea” program. I have to do PR, and I have to get posters and PR done for the Shakespeare night and for the ArtsWeek Boston panel, and some other programs.

Onward!

Fri. March 18, 2016: Sliding into a Snowy Equinox?

Friday, March 18, 2016
Waxing Moon
Jupiter Retrograde
Sunny and cool

Busy, busy few days!

Wednesday was a day full of catch-up and then meetings. I left a little early to prepare for the talk at the Writers Center event.

The talk went well. I got to see some people I hadn’t seen for a long time, including a classmate from the workshop in which SONGBOUND SISTERS was originally created.

Home, started work on the campaign writing, shaping some ideas.

Thursday morning, I had to take my mother to the hospital for some tests. Fingers crossed they come back with nothing wrong. She was exhausted and uncomfortable by the time they were done.

We took a short rest, and then drove to Restore, where we found a good shelf unit at an outstanding price that just needs repainting. I also fell in love with a Victorian chair, but it hasn’t been priced yet, so we’ll see, once it is, if it’s in my range.

Finished the campaign writing and sent it off; I should have the revision request today, so I can turn it around again.

It was a gorgeous day – there was time for a short walk on the beach, and then I was in the yard, yanking up some weird invasive that looks like tiny brown pine somethings, but has thorns, awful roots, and an odd smell. I dug out LOTS of them. I don’t want them in the yard. I also started putting the rock wall back together, but I don’t really have the skills, so I’ll have to get some books out on it. I managed to carve out some time at the end of the afternoon to sit on the deck, read, enjoy the sunshine, and have my celebratory St. Patrick’s Day beer. Not green, though!

I always need a bit of a break when I finish one book before going back to the other – I’d scheduled a few days off. I want to take one more look at the last few chapters of CHOLERIC before I hide it from myself for a few weeks, and then, tomorrow morning, I dig back into SONGBOUND SISTERS.

Started getting a migraine last night, which is worse today, unfortunately. Up early, although I’m still dragging from the time change.

We had new carpet put down in the reading room yesterday (why we were closed). Had to move the furniture back today, and now I’m playing catch up on not being here yesterday.

I’m baking tonight for tomorrow’s program; although it’s supposed to be my Saturday “off”, since there’s a program, I have to be in. But I don’t have to get in until early afternoon, so hopefully I can get some writing done and yard work. I also have to get to the post office.

Sunday is the Spring Equinox, so that will be busy (and I have to get the tomatoes started, or we won’t have tomatoes until November). We’re supposed to get another snowstorm, so who knows how that will be? Monday and Tuesday will be busy writing days, and Wednesday the whole cycle starts again, with another program and more to do here. I also have to drop off my art work on Monday, so I hope the roads are clear by noon or so.

I hope the migraine will ease up soon, and I hope I can get in some solid sleep over the weekend, so I feel better. I’m just on the cusp of coming down with something, and I don’t want to succumb.

Have a great weekend!

Wed. March 16: Exciting News

Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Waxing Moon
Jupiter Retrograde
Foggy and cold

What a whirlwind the past few days have been!

Some big news, on several fronts:

First and foremost, I finished the first draft of DEATH OF A CHOLERIC last night. Technically, it was at 12:57 this morning, but since I hadn’t been to bed, I called it last night! 😉

I’m thrilled to have the draft done. I have some notes to make on changes I already know need to be made in the revisions, and then it goes away to marinate for about a month, so I can approach the revisions with a fresh eye.

The wonderful and slightly scary news is that a mixed media piece I worked on for a couple of months in early winter was submitted and accepted to an art show at Cotuit Center for the Arts for their exhibit “Unsafe”, about life post-9/11. I wish my uncles, who were artists were still alive; they would be proud.

If anything, working on it taught me how much I still have to learn about that craft of that particular medium! I liked working in it, though, and I want to learn –and do – more. I have to drop off the piece next Monday.

I’m also doing some campaign writing for someone who I think will be terrific in his job.

Today will be a long day at work, because we are woefully short-staffed. I’m leaving early, because I’m speaking tonight at the Cape Cod Writers Center Writers Night Out on Point of View.

The next primary focus is the first draft of the play set in 17th Century Italy – I hope to get a good push on that in the next couple of days. I want to finish the draft by the end of the month.

And, in a few days, I dive into the next first draft of the next novel – which is SONGBOUND SISTERS.

I have to take my mom in for some tests tomorrow at the hospital – I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it’s nothing serious. I’d like everything to remain on a positive trajectory!

Devon

Sat. March 12, 2016: Post-Birthday Writing

Saturday, March 12, 2016
Waxing Moon
Jupiter Retrograde
Sunny and gorgeous

Thanks for all the birthday wishes yesterday, everyone! I had a good day. I didn’t do much. I’d hoped to do some yard work, but the weather didn’t clear up until too late in the day for me to be productive.

I ate and read and ran some errands. I worked on DEATH OF A CHOLERIC – I’ll have the first draft finished by the 15th. Then it can marinate for awhile, while I work on the play and get to work on SONGBOUND SISTERS. I’ve definitely decided to flip it with TIE-CUTTER. I’m making notes on the major changes I have to handle in the edits, to fix the big logistical problem that led to several smaller problems in the manuscript, so when I officially start edits in a month or so, I will have everything set and can dig in.  I have a working title for the new play, which is always exciting.  The right title helps focus.

Three months is really too tight a timeframe for a first draft, unless I can spent 10 or so hours a day at the desk, and am not juggling multiple projects.. Four months makes for a stronger manuscript.

I was going to bake for today’s Caroline Kepnes author event, but she’s ill and had to cancel. It’s been rescheduled for next Saturday, so I’ll bake then.

I basically just chilled out. Ate too much cake! 😉 Did a lot of yoga.

When I get home after locking up today, I’ll get back to work on the book, and do my final push tomorrow and Monday. Monday, I have to be up extra early, because I have a Marine Life Center Board meeting, but when I come home, it’ll be that final stretch so I can write “The End.” It’s so close, I can taste it!

It’s a gorgeous day outside. It’ll be too late to do yard work when I get home, but I hope I can sit outside and enjoy it a bit.

Some black locust has invaded the side front yard, in front of the dogwood. As soon as the ground is mushy enough, I’m going to have to yank all of it out, and put in wildflowers and other plants that will attract bees and butterflies.

Looking forward to spring! This winter hasn’t been bad, especially not compared to last winter, but I’m still ready for it to be over. Hate losing an hour of sleep to “spring forward” tonight, though.

Have a great weekend!

Devon

Thurs. March 10: Happy Surprise

Thursday, March 10, 2016
Waxing Moon
Rainy and cool

Busy day yesterday, but nice because my colleagues at work threw me an early birthday lunch, which was lovely.

Home, got things unpacked, got a little bit of work done.

Up early this morning, but I was inking in my taxes rather than writing, so that’s left me a little out of sorts this morning – I’m so close to the end of this book! I can taste it.
And now that I know how to fix the flaw that’s been bugging me in the edit – I’m making notes, and I’m eager to get it all done! Then, I can finish the first draft of the play set in 17th Century Italy, and then move on to SONGBOUND SISTERS.

Today will be busy at work, and getting the rest of this week and next week, since one of our colleagues is in the hospital.

Tomorrow I get the day off – although I told them that if my colleague is still in the hospital, I’ll be happy to come in. Saturday we have a program, so tomorrow I’ll bake for the program.

Off I go to get as much done as possible today. It should be a pretty weekend, so I can get some yard work done, and I want to start planting my seeds!

Have a great weekend.

Wed. March 9, 2016: Excellent Writing Weekend

Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Waxing Moon
Jupiter Retrograde
Sunny and mild

Busy few days! It was nice not to work on Saturday. I ran errands and did research, and, generally, gave myself a day off.

That meant Sunday morning was for research, and then back to DEATH OF A CHOLERIC. I went over the whole book, fixing things (my process is completely different with this one) and then wrote about twenty additional pages.

Monday, I wrote another chapter. Yesterday, another chapter. I’m past the 300 page mark. I figure I have, at the most, five chapters left. I can see the end. I know where I’m going, although I don’t have all the details about getting there. I’m excited! I’m at the point where I don’t really want to talk about the details, because I’m worried that it will derail the momentum.

I also woke up in the middle of the night with a solution to a logistical problem that’s bothered me in the book, that will also solve a second dilemma. It will mean quite a few tweaks in the revision, and I don’t want to put them in now, but it’s important, because that particular lapse in the story left the reader (me, at this point), with the feeling of something not adding up properly. And, in a mystery, everything has to add up — that’s the comfort of it. A thriller can get away with loose ends, or a fatalistic ending. A mystery has to give the reader comfort that justice was served.

I got the next batch of books for the contest. More mystery, more novella, more fantasy. Considering how many strong contenders were in the mystery category in the first batch, it’s exciting.

I’m finishing up the handouts for my talk on the 16th. Nowhere near as detailed as the ones I had for the script topic, but that’s what happens when you switch things out on me after I’ve done my prep. A friend told me I should have just refused to change topics, or, if they didn’t want the topic, withdrawn from the event. She’s probably right — I’ve spent too much time being a “good sport” with these people over the years, and it’s yielded absolutely nothing. It certainly hasn’t garnered book sales.

Got in a good bit of reading, too, this weekend. Reading I WANTED to do, rather than HAD to do. My favorites were TO HELVETICA AND BACK by Paige Shelton, a surprisingly good cozy, and Stephanie Barron’s latest Jane Austen mystery, JANE AND THE WATERLOO MAP. I read several mediocre books, too, but I’d rather applaud the books I enjoy than trash ones that aren’t really worth the time.

Nasty dream last night about a home invasion — this home. Not a good dream.

Long day at work today. I have a lot to get done. I finished my taxes last night, so that’s something off my plate, thank goodness.

And got another chapter written on the mystery before I left. End is in sight!

Devon

Fri. March 4, 2016: Snowy Writing

Friday, March 4, 2016
Waning Moon
Jupiter Retrograde
Snowing

Yup, it’s snowing. The Cape and Islands are supposed to get the bulk of this storm. We were told it wouldn’t start until noon, but it started before 9 AM. Should be interesting.

Busy day yesterday, between meeting and trying to get stuff done when I got back to the desk. Exhausted by the time I got home.

Watching GOING POSTAL last night – funny. There were times, though, when the pace lagged a bit. Pratchett’s dialogue is often as quick as it is quick-witted, and when it’s not delivered that way, it hurts the overall effect.

Got out a submission last night, which is good. Have to keep up with all that.

Overslept a bit, didn’t have a good session at the desk this morning. I will have to make up for it this weekend.

If the weather gets bad, we’ll close up early and head back; otherwise, It will be another long day, but then four days away that can focus on the writing. I’m behind where I want to be on CHOLERIC, but I’m close enough to the end to taste it. Now, I just have to get it down on paper, and then it marinates for awhile, so I can return to it with fresh eyes.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Thurs. March 3, 2016: Idea Plethora

Thursday, March 03, 2016
Waning Moon
Jupiter Retrograde
Sunny and cold

Just realized how late I am getting this posted.

Yesterday was a long day at work. About 70 books to process (which means we have some cool new stuff), but it’s time consuming. PR for upcoming events. Development Committee meeting. People just don’t realize how much time it takes to get information out on events, or that every venue wants the information in a slightly different format. “Oh, there’s no work involved, just getting it in the papers” means HOURS of work for me. It’s not rocket science, but it’s not done in 15 minutes, either.

My mom has to go in for some additional tests, and I’m a little worried. A lot worried.

This morning, I got some good work done on DEATH OF A CHOLERIC, and then had to run some errands for my mom before my meeting.

Of course, now that I want to flip SONGBOUND SISTERS with TIE-CUTTER, I’m getting ideas for TIE-CUTTER! I’d rather have many ideas than no ideas.

Meeting this morning, work this afternoon. Trying to catch up on everything. I slept badly last night, so I’m weary, and we’re supposed to get snow tomorrow, so who knows?

I have a lot of admin work to get done this weekend, along with hopefully finishing the draft of CHOLERIC and getting back to work on the play.

Never a dull moment, which is better than being bored. I don’t understand boredom. The world is far too interesting to waste time being bored.

Devon

Mon. March 2, 2016: Art, Politics, and Flexibility

Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Waning Moon
Jupiter Retrograde
Rainy and cold

Busy few days. I was absolutely exhausted by the time I left the library on Saturday afternoon. But it was a beautiful day. I managed some studio time in the good light.

Friday night, I attended my HobNob colleague Leonore Lyons opening reception of her exhibit THE KEY IDEA at Centerville Historical Museum. It was wonderful – her project, a community art piece, is expanding exponentially, and the staff and volunteers at the Historical Museum were terrific. I’m glad I went.

I did a lot of work on notes for SONGBOUND SISTERS, which is pulling strongly at me. I may have to flip work on TIE-CUTTER with work on SONGBOUND, so I don’t lose momentum. I also got another submission out, and did some reformatting a radio play –halfway through, I realized I was doing the wrong formatting for that particular venue. So I’ve got to go back and fix it sometime this week.

Worked on two proposals — one is almost ready to go out, a co-teaching proposal with a friend that would happen locally. The other still needs some more work, and would be regional, not just local, and needs some more work on budgeting.

Sunday was about studio time, and also searching for one more object I needed for the piece. Couldn’t find it. Store after store after store.

Sunday afternoon, I went to a house party to meet a candidate for State Senate named Julian Cyr. One of the board members at the library had invited me, and he’s also an NYU alum, so I was interested. We hit it off immediately, talking like we’d known each other for years. The fact that he listens and responds to what is actually said to him will take him far, I think. He’s got great ideas, lots of energy, he’s smart in knowing how to get things done, and has integrity, the latter of which is very important to me. I’m glad he’s running for the seat that’s about to be vacant — I didn’t hate the current holder of said seat, but didn’t feel he was responsive enough to individuals, and he wouldn’t do things like take on Comcast when they broke the law (since Comcast believes they are above the law).

Cyr is about solutions for the lives people actually live here, not buzzwords and putting band-aids on amputations. The bulk of his work has been in public health, and he sees how what are often split into different issues are all connected. That’s important, especially on Cape Cod, where the fragile ecological balance affects absolutely everything else.

I also met some very interesting people at the house, who are involved in film production. One woman, a casting director, feels very much the way I felt when I left Broadway to come here. I’ve been through it — I offered to be a sounding board whenever she needs one.

Came home a little tired, but also energized by the prospects that, even if politics is going to the insane and incompetent on a national level, we might be able to do something positive here.

More studio time.

Monday morning, up early. Studio time. Finally found the final object for the project – in the 27th store I visited in three days. Times like this, I miss New York, where they actually HAVE what you need in the logical places. More studio time.

I’d rearranged my day for an afternoon appointment with a potential client. Never happened, never heard. Considering how much I needed both the studio time and the writing time, it told me all I needed to know. In the evening, I emailed, wishing them well. Heard back Tuesday morning for a re-schedule, but none of the times work for me, and I’m done. I realize things happen, but it was a “I don’t think you’re the right person but want to talk to you” kind of thing, so I’m not losing anything by not engaging.

Yesterday, sent off the information about the project. Either it will be accepted, or it won’t. If not, I’m still glad I did it — I learned a lot. People kept telling me it would be “cathartic”. It wasn’t. It was painful. But I’m still glad I did it.

Sending it off, and getting it out the door left me exhausted, though.

I got my hair cut — short, cute, a bit vintage. My mom and I went and voted — always a satisfying feeling, although I miss the big machines with the levers. Then, you REALLY feel like you accomplished something!

Our treat for getting out and voting was lunch at Crisp, in Osterville. I had a gift card from the holidays, and their food is excellent. So that was a good choice.

Roasted a chicken for dinner, read a bit, and watched election results until I was too tired.

Today, work turns back to DEATH OF A CHOLERIC. I’m behind where I want to be on it, but I think I can catch up during the coming week. I want to get this draft done so it can marinate while I work on SONGBOUND SISTERS, and then, when SONGBOUND is done, I’ll go back to TIE-CUTTER. The creative balance, I think, will work, since there’s more of a difference lining up CHOLERIC, SONGBOUND, TIE-CUTTER, and then the 1947 aviation novel, rather than having CHOLERIC and TIE-CUTTER back to back.

I also want to get the first draft of the play about the 17th Century poisoner in Italy done this month. I want it out the door by June.

Long day at work, with lots of PR writing to get done. Onward.