Thursday, September 15, 2011

Thursday, September 15, 2011
Waning Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Uranus Retrograde
Neptune Retrograde
Jupiter Retrograde
Rainy and humid

The temperatures are supposed to fall a good 30 degrees today. We’re getting an early autumn. Cats’ fur and falling leaves are always right.

The trip over the last few days kicked my ass. It’s not like the content was complicated, but the driving was difficult. Driving through Rhode Island on Tuesday morning, the fog was so thick, it was like driving through quilt batting. And yet, some morons still don’t use their lights. WTF? Driving back yesterday was a lot of traffic.

Internet was wonky down there — I sort of got in, but the signal was weak, so it was three or four minutes in, five or six hours off. I’d warned my students, so no one felt abandoned.

It gave me some quality time to work on the Harpy book, which was good. Once I developed the antagonists, the pieces of the plot that I couldn’t figure out fell into place. Well-developed characters lead to interesting situations. I’m really starting to get excited about this book.

I did some research, pulling out mythology books and re-reading some of the myths and legends I want to feed into the book, seeing where I want to pull and where I need to change things to suit the story, but do so that’s logical.

The cats were happy to see me. They are still working things out. Iris hasn’t accepted Tessa. Violet tolerates her. Tessa wants to be friends. So there’s still work to be done.

It’s amazing how much planting a few pots of mums outside makes the house glow. Really lovely. Pretty soon, I’ll have to start taking in the pots that need to overwinter inside. We may get our first frost this weekend.

I’m spending the bulk of the day with my Dialogue Workshop students today — I have a lot of material on which to catch up. I’d hoped to mow the terraced back, but it’s supposed to rain, so that’s out. I have to run out and get some cat food — the cupboard’s looking a little bare. And I’d like to start on my big fall cleaning, so that it’s all done by the Equinox.

Lots to do! Better get going!

Devon

Friday, February 11, 2011

Friday, February 11, 2011
Waxing Moon
Saturn Retrograde
Sunny and cold

Got out a bunch of stuff that needed to get out yesterday. Brainstormed. Got everything to the dump.

Guy at Dump: You coulda got a bit more life outta that furnace filter.

Me: I was told to change it every 90 days. So I do.

Guy at Dump: Really?

Me: Yup.

Guy at Dump: Jeez, I know people who haven’t changed their filters for years.

I refrained from the many snarky responses I could have made to that!

Trader Joe’s, picked up some biodegradable pots in which to start my seeds, bank, drug store, etc. Started packing the food for the trip. Handled some other admin. Threw in some yoga DVDs to the book bag — I mean, I have a LOT of writing to do, so I better do a lot of yoga in between. Threw a few more books in there, because I’m always worried I’ll run out of books. Of course, I’d literally have to read 24 hours a day to read what I have, but that’s how it goes. Books make me feel secure.

The cats are so upset. It’s not like they’re being left alone– they’re being cared for. But the cats hate suitcases and writing bags and book bags, and, when I roll up the sleeping bag later this morning, there will be even more meltdowns.

Got a response from an agent to whom I submitted — BLANK. Just says “Dear” and my name. I tried really, REALLY hard to compose a polite response asking what that meant. I failed in the really polite part. Oh, well. We’re ALL overworked and underpaid, we’re all humans and make mistakes, but when there are hoops to be jumped through and very specific guidelines WE are expected to follow to the letter, things like this are frustrating. I suppose I should be grateful the name was right — I’ve sometimes gotten agent letters to with the salutation to other people. Okay, bridge burned, move on. UPDATE: Heard back, it’s not a rejection, agents wants a partial. Guess I didn’t burn the bridge after all. Glad I checked, and just didn’t assume. But then, you know what they say about “assumptions.”

So, I’m reading the directions for a new recipe, and it says something about turning over “pasta nests.” Um, EWWW. My pasta does not “nest.” It may do many other tricks, depending on the recipe, but “nesting” is not one of them.

Did some notes for POWER OF WORDS — not recreating the missing notes, but notes on some scenes in upcoming sections (which take place in Prague, New Mexico, and Vancouver) that reveal a lot about character, sometimes moving forward the central relationship, sometimes putting obstacles in its way. Also, I want to do more with one character who was initially supposed to be the main love interest for my protag and didn’t step up to the plate in time (the other character, who I wasn’t expecting to be so central, stepped in — a bit of opportunistic plotting on his part). I want to explore the question of missed opportunities — these two might have been good together, but they missed the window that would have made it possible.

The cats are beside themselves with upset at the luggage (including my zafu cushion). They’re not being abandoned, they’ve got my mom staying with them,she’s right here right now, the house will be occupied, but they’re still having a fit. Poor things.

One last technology check, and I’m headed out.

Devon

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Waning Moon
Mars Retrograde
Sunny and gorgeous

Got the work out to Confidential Job #1. Headed to Greenwich Library to use the computer with IE on it so I could invoice them. Ran some other errands, including getting a boatload of stuff for BookMooch and submissions to the post office in Purchase (because, heaven forbid the post office up the street from me should have any service).

Took another walk on the Boardwalk and around behind the Amusement Park.

This morning, I found an invitation to submit a workshop proposal. I sent back an email with some questions, including pay rate and about their demand for a personal photograph. Since any workshop I teach for them can’t be taught six months in either direction from their dates, which means it’s the only time in a full year I can teach that workshop — the money has to be worth it; and, if they demand a photograph rather than an icon, it’s a no-go. A “no photographs” clause is a “no-photographs” clause, and there’s a reason someone who publishes under multiple names uses one. So, that could be a deal breaker.

I’ve been encouraged by my humor workshop instructor to send out the pieces I developed in his class. Two of them, fillers, are already out the door. The other three are short fiction pieces — I want to give them a bit more polish, but he suggested some markets I’d never have thought of, so I’m going to take his advice.

Not much writing done, although a good bit of percolating. I have some business to take of this morning, and then it’s off to the acupuncturist. I’m going to look like a porcupine on that table, but maybe she can get rid of the migraine that’s tormented me for over a week now. I’ve been functioning, but not happily.

I’m packed for tomorrow’s trip, except for packing the computer last thing. I plan on working on the play today, and maybe making some notes on one or two other projects.

Most of the day revolves around acupuncture — it’s about a 40-60 minute drive in each direction, 60 minutes on the table, and then I have to come home and let it “set”. But I look forward to feeling SOOOO much better.

Devon

Monday, November 16, 2009

Monday, November 16, 2009
New Moon
Uranus Retrograde
No idea the weather — hoping it’s good.

I headed off to DC before the break of dawn. Will try to blog from there, so keep checking in. Plus, I have links to all sorts of post scheduled throughout the week.

In the meantime, I’ve got a post up on Kemmyrk, called “Tapped on the Shoulder”.

I’m sure many of you will relate.

Yesterday wasn’t as productive as I wanted. The Christmas story isn’t finished, which means I’ll be sitting up late at night in DC hotel rooms working on it.

Errands done – cats have a new water jug, although it was a challenge to find a good one. Nearly came home with a five foot tall kitty condo as well, but I think that’ll be their Yule gift.

No luck with movers, dang it. I’m not confident enough in Craigslist ads to go looking there.

Cat slave, er sitter, and neighbor will both be on the lookout for the shipments of books that should have arrived Saturday and have yet to arrive.

Plan to read NEVER AFTER on the trip down and listen to music on the iPod. I’m trying to pack about three weeks’ worth of work into just a couple of days, and, frankly, the pace doesn’t let up until mid-January. I’m flat out until at least then. It’s all good, I just have to keep my head screwed on straight and be really, really organized so as not to let any of the balls drop. Because too much is at stake to let anything slide.

Devon