1/5/2013

Posted on January 5, 2013 by RieSheridanRose

About to head to the grocery store for cat food and to pay the electric bill, and then off to meet my publisher for a late lunch/early dinner at Kerbey Lane and discuss the author forms for Conn-Mann that I am having trouble filling out. 😛

Most of Saturday is for lazy…though I have done my three chapters, and I hope to get some jewelry work in this evening.

Probably no cleaning again though. I am a bad housekeeper. *sigh*

EDIT: Didn’t do any cleaning. Instead opted for 3 more chapters of revisions and writing three very short filler chapters to pull in a POV character more often.

The lunch was lovely, and I think I can finish my forms now. I just have to make myself do it.

Didn’t do any jewelry since I was busy writing, but that’s okay. I may be getting addicted to this writing every day stuff.

Watched the first two discs of Season One of Adderly while I was working. Anyone else remember V.H. and Mona?

Off to play for awhile. See you tomorrow.

Tracking:

Today I cleaned — some bills, grocery store for cats.

Today I weighed — 186.7  — of course, weighing in the morning might be off…

Today I wrote/revised — 3  6! chapters of revisions on Skellyman and 3 short chapters added.

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1/4/2013

Posted on January 4, 2013 by RieSheridanRose

I had a marvelous time at the San Gabriel Writers League meeting, and they were so wonderfully welcoming.

I was terribly nervous when I got there, because I wasn’t sure what I had to offer. But when the first thing that happened was that I received a surprise Speaker’s Fee, I felt much…more intimidated…lol.

But I had friends in the audience, and as I started telling my publishing stories, it got easier and easier. After all, the main point of my being there was to show that you COULD finish a NaNoWriMo book and get it published. (Sidhe Moved Through the Faire) Or finish one and submit it for publication. (The Conn-Mann Chronicles I: The Marvelous Mechanical Man) Or even not finish one one year and finish the next. (Skellyman)

I also talked about websites that I had found useful for networking, like Writer’s Cafe and Writer’s Village University. After all, one of my poetry books was filled with poems from the first one, and my first novel was contracted after a comment on the second.

I also mentioned Zumaya and what I did there.

When my time was up, I sold several books, which made a perfect ending to a lovely evening.

Of course, this morning, my bank refused to take a check I’d been written because it had “1/3/12” as the date — don’t forget it is 2013 people!

Here is the complete list of websites I handed out for those who might be interested:

 

Websites for practice and networking:

 

 

 

Paid Classes:

 

(both of these sites have free articles worth perusing if nothing else.)
 

Market Listings:

 

 

 

Informational/Inspirational Writing Articles:

 

 

 

 

(this one contains strong language, so bear that in mind before reading.)

 

 

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1/4/2013

Posted on January 4, 2013 by RieSheridanRose

No cleaning done today, because I had to have bloodwork done for an appointment next week, and that means being out of the house all day. Oh, I suppose I didn’t HAVE to ride with Newell, but it gave me a chance to have lunch with him, and to get my chapters started early in my favorite off-house writing venue, Terri’s Place, in his building. Run by the SWEETEST girl, she lets me come in and take up one of her tables whenever I need to.

Between that and working in the car, and a tiny bit at home, I got six chapters done today! I was happy. That was twice my quota. I am tempted to take tomorrow off, but that would be disastrous to continuity of purpose, so I will probably do three anyway.

I also ran around and paid several bills, so important things WERE done today.

Last night’s talk was a blast. I think I’ll save the full wrap-up for RieWriter.com because it fits better there, and it gives me something to post on my main site — which IS strictly speaking the writerly side of things. 😉

I’m getting used to tea with two real teaspoons of sugar instead of three Sweet-n-Lows, but it isn’t easy. I know it will be more healthy in the long run…but I do miss my sweet. 😛

 

Tracking:

Today I cleaned — my bills that needed paying.

Today I weighed — 188.5 *still* 😦

Today I wrote/revised — 6 chapters of revisions on Skellyman

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1/3/2013

Posted on January 3, 2013 by RieSheridanRose

Today is starting rather slow, but will end hectic, so I am letting it.

I HAVE moved the black boxes cluttering my hallway upstairs to where they can be useful already today, so that is a little bit done.

And I have printed out the handouts for this evening. Hope I don’t run out. Next I have to collect the books I want to take and wash the clothes I want to wear.

And get away from the links my loving husband sends me so that I can DO those things! 😉

Updated the RieWriter website today, so that is a bit of writing done too. Why, practically everything I am doing fits into one goal or another. Isn’t that odd? 😛

I realized, however, that I didn’t factor in my artistic side (yeah, some people count writing as artistic, but that’s my JOB, y’know?) in my planning. So, I will probably reserve Saturdays for jewelry, photography, and so forth. I am quite pleased with some of the pieces I’ve come up with so far in the jewelry game, but I haven’t worked up the nerve to actually post them to my Etsy store yet. What do you guys think of these?

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I need better photos for Etsy, I know…and my gluework is still not very polished, but I like some of the designs. Especially the first one, that I call “Winter Time” (the disk is about 3″ in diameter.)

But enough digression. Jewelry is for Saturdays! Now I must go do laundry for tonight. Will update if there is progress. 😉

Oh! Before I go — I almost forgot again, and I want to get this taken care of…

My wonderful Sister-from-Another-Mother Wynelda Deaver over at Wynwords nominated me for the Beautiful Blogger Award:

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I was humbled and honored. Thanks, Sis!

The way this works, apparently, is:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award — just did

2. Paste the award on your blog — see it?

3. Link the person who nominated you for the award — check above

4. Nominate 7 bloggers

5. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominated

6. Post 7 random things about you.

Here are my seven nominations with their links:

Artstormer — fascinating blog

Nights of Passion — shared blog by a good group of romance writers

Googsy Photography — always inspirational

A Traveller’s Tale — fascinating travel blog

Sort It — Liz always has such wonderful advice — just wish she lived closer!

Bucket List Publications — She always has places I want to go and things I want to do!

g caffe — bringing India closer — another culture I find interesting

Now, 7 random things about me…

1) I like the Bollywood films I have seen, and want to see more!

2) My favorite movie of all time is The Crow. I now own it on VHS, DVD, and Blu-Ray.

3) I have signed James O’Barr sketches decorating my office (see above…)

4) I secretly want to write a mystery if I can ever figure out how to plot one.

5) I played a male halfling rogue in a D&D adventure that lasted over several years. He was my favorite RPG character ever.

6) I collect keychains, coins, and autographs.

7) I would love to do more theater again, as I have a degree in Pre-Professional Technical Theater and about twenty-thirty years community theater experience.

There! Got it done. Now to go inform my nominees. 🙂

 

Tracking:

Today I cleaned — a load of laundry and moved those boxes.

Today I weighed — 188.5 😦

Today I wrote/revised — 3 chapters of revisions on Skellyman; two long blog posts; and gave a talk on writing. 🙂

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1/3/2013 It's going to be a great year!

Posted on January 3, 2013 by RieSheridanRose

I have a lot going on this year.

First of all, tonight I will be speaking at the San Gabriel Writers League on motivating oneself to get published this year. I have a lot of stories to share…just hope they prove interesting…lol

I’m also working feverishly to finish the revisions of Skellyman so I can send it out into the world to find a home. At the encouragement of Jim Reader, I am dedicating one day a week to “Day-of-No-Excuses”. On that day, there is no reason not to do what I have set that day aside to do. My day is Sunday, and I have sworn to submit something somewhere on that day, no excuses. I would like Skellyman to go out this Sunday, but it will probably be next week, since the revisions are being slow but thorough.

I started this Day-of-No-Excuses last Sunday by turning in The Conn-Mann Chronicles I: The Marvelous Mechanical Man to Zumaya. It’s a Steampunk romance that I think is one of the most cohesive works I’ve ever written. And I really look forward to all the things we can do relating to it. 🙂 Look for webpages relating to it to go up on the site soon.

I’ve also resolved to participate in a reading challenge this year:

 

My goal is level Earth — read 5 Science Fiction romances this year.

That doesn’t sound like much, but that’s on top of all the mysteries and other things I’ll read this year…lol.

This is not a genre I read a lot of, so I am hoping to broaden my horizons. Feel free to leave suggestions. 🙂

I will not be neglecting this website as much as I did last year, promise. I have several other irons in the fire that I can’t talk about yet.

2013 will be an AWESOME year!

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1/2/2013

Posted on January 2, 2013 by RieSheridanRose

Today started with a dream about a bill that needs paying. 😛 Not a happy start.

Then I had to go to the insurance office to see if we were covered for a little mishap the other day when the driver door of Newell’s car became intimately acquainted with the garage door opener track. We weren’t. Strike two on the day.

So, I got a late start with my routine. However, I did finally get my three chapters revised — and since I am working on integrating a VERY detailed beta critique, that also involved going back through all the previous chapters and adjusting stuff. I am getting to the point where I cannot WAIT to be done…and I used to like this book. 😛

I didn’t get a lot of straightening up done since the chapters took so long, but I did get the rest of the island cleared off and some mail sorted, as well as a load of dishes washed. Baby steps. At least there was progress. That’s what is important, right?

I built a lovely salad for supper, but went over my calorie budget for the day. I think it was the snack…but I can’t let all that lovely lemon pound cake go to waste, can I?

Tomorrow is my talk for the San Gabriel Writers League. I will probably need to focus on getting ready for that most of the day. I have to get books together, print out the handout I am putting together, and generally panic about giving a pep talk for an hour. 🙂 I may not get 2000 words or three chapters done. But it will be for a good reason, and still writing related.

Tracking:

Today I cleaned — the island in my kitchen, washed a load of dishes.

Today I weighed — 188.1

Today I wrote/revised — 3 chapters of revisions on Skellyman.

 

I also took “Before” pictures on the current state of the house. Shows a lot of back-sliding, but I think most of it can be recovered in time:

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This and the following show still needing attention areas of the kitchen. (I decided to break the photos down into bite-sized portions.)

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Had to toss the pomegranate after waiting too long to eat it. Resolved not to waste as much food this year either!

On the other hand, here is the completed part of my kitchen for the day:

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I am thinking I might do a new “Game” this year. Put all the “Before” photos onto one page and roll a thirty sided die (I think there are about 33, but I’ll figure something out) to choose an area to clean that day. What do you think of that idea?

 

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1/1/2013

Posted on January 1, 2013 by RieSheridanRose

So, it’s time to buckle down and start again with trying to be daily and doing it right.

Currently drinking my first diet soda of the day and trying to convince myself to make it the ONLY diet soda of the day. I hear they are really worse for you than you think — especially in terms of dieting, which I need to get back to after the huge lapse in everything lately. (On the other hand, Wyndie has nominated me for Beautiful Blogger. I need to figure out all the things to do, and tomorrow will post more about that. 😉 Thanks, sis!)

On the other hand, I got my Zumaya slush pile emptied for the new year, and sent in my Steampunk manuscript on Sunday as scheduled, so some progress was made.

I have BIG goals this year:

1) I am going to try to tame my house again.While we are still marginally better than we were last year at this time, there has been a lot of backsliding since my back problems, and I need to pretty much start over. I’ll be taking Before pictures soon. May get them up today, may not.

2) I am going to try again to lose that weight I want to drop. Trying Lose It! as my main logging site this year, and it looks like my sisters are joining me for mutual support. I will be posting progress, as that helps keep one on track and honest. 😛

3) I am going to try and write to a schedule this year. So many words or revisions a day. My initial goal is 2000/5000, but reality may demand that revise down. Sure there will be days I don’t make it — but having a fixed goal is useful for perseverance. This may help me pound out some of the manuscripts that have been in various stages of completion for years. And help with my final resolution:

4) I am going to try and submit at least one thing a week. Just think — even one thing a week is 52 new pieces out into the world a year. That sounds terribly impressive, doesn’t it? 😉 Jim Reader, my favorite partner in writin’, suggested that all his writer friends have one day a week as “A Day-of-No-Excuses…” where a publicly declared goal is stated and committed to. I chose Sunday, and submitted The Conn-Mann Chronicles I: The Marvelous Mechanical Man to Zumaya on time as promised. I intend to keep Sunday as my day, and get something out into the world every week. Join us in this goal? It can be any writing task you have been putting off. 😉

So, to recap:

1) Clean up my house (the purpose of this blog, after all)

2) Clean up my body (losing all this trash weight)

3) Clean up my mind (by getting all these plot bunnies out of it)

4) Clean up my files (by sending out those pesky teenager writing projects that have been freeloading around my computer to get a job!)

What will you do this year?

Tracking:

Today I cleaned — a cabinet and counter in my kitchen, washed a large load of dishes — freeing up the sink– and washed a load of clothes.

Today I weighed — 190 (yikes! but still better than last year this time)

Today I wrote/revised — 3 chapters of revisions on Skellyman — just over 5000 words, which I think is a more realistic goal, and I will edit my resolution to reflect that.

Pics or cleaning didn’t happen:

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Cabinet and Counter Before

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and after

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Sink before

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and after. (Wineglasses from last night need to be hand-washed, and I didn’t get that far today.)

 

Felt pretty productive today. I’ll be back tomorrow. 🙂

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It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Posted on December 23, 2012 by RieSheridanRose

There! I thought of a song again. 😉

My next door neighbor and I just went on a walk around our neighborhood enjoying the lights. I had my camera, of course, but got a lot of shakes in because the light was so low.

Still, got a few nice pictures I thought I would share:

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Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays all if I don’t get back in before then. 🙂

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12/9/12

Posted on December 10, 2012 by RieSheridanRose

Still can’t think of a song, but I thought it would be better to post anyway than skip it because of that…lol.

I am still not getting it done everyday, but I am gearing myself up to start over in January. At least I will be starting from a slightly less chaotic point. Still a lot of re-working to do, but I think I will make a bit more progress…we’ll see. I DO have at least two books to finish after all.

Went to the Webcomics Rampage at Dragon’s Lair this afternoon, and got to say hello to some of my favorite webcomic artists. I thought I had taken pictures of everyone, but I missed a few. Did get my two everyday reads covered though. 🙂 [Before clicking any of the comic links, remember that these are webcomics, and they might be a little risque sometimes. Now that I’ve done my warning bit, feel free to click. ;)]

Lar DeSouza

Lar deSouza of Least I Could Do (My absolute favorite…I think I have a crush on Rayne.) He is an amazing artist. I bought a copy of that print at the bottom —  it’s the Doctors as rabbits.

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Jeph Jacques of Questionable Content, my other daily read.

And then there were some others I liked (and mostly forgot to snap pictures of…though they all signed my monster…) Though I did get a shot of Zach Weiner of Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal fame. I don’t read that one every day, but I do quite often.

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Zach was not making balloon animals. That was a gift from a fan. He gave me one too, because I was wearing my Death shirt. (I wish mine were still that nice and crisp.) I had more people commenting on that shirt…

Anyway, it was a fun time. Also, Newell bought a kilt to wear to the wedding Wednesday. Now I have to get something to go with it…don’t I? 😉

Time for bed. I leave you with Firefly and Luther. Aren’t they adorable together?

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12/6/12

Posted on December 6, 2012 by RieSheridanRose

Another lazy day in the parking garage playing with my tablet. I know… I am a bad girl. 😦

Currently up to Red Chrysanthemum in Laura Joh Rowand‘s Sano Ichiro series, and I told her on Facebook that I can only read a chapter or two at a time before I have to set it aside and calm down. That’s because she has built such a bond with her main characters that now they are in dire peril and being accused of horrible things that I cannot believe are possible for them, I am too emotionally invested to put up with it. Now THAT is good writing right there! I highly, highly, highly recommend these books. This is number 11 in the series, and I can’t get enough of them. They are set in 17th century Edo, Japan, which is another point in their favor. Fascinating history.

Got another favorable feedback on the Steampunk novel today, so I will probably be working on that soon — probably next week, since tomorrow is the 10th anniversary of the day Newell and I met. We went to see a concert some friends were performing, and I never went back to the house I was sharing with a friend. We’ve been together ever since. I like to say we are still on our first date. 😉

Have been invited to a private showing of The Hobbit next Friday morning, and just sent off the money for our tickets. I can’t wait!

So, no cleaning today either, but hope it was interesting anyway. Till tomorrow.

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