Painting Class

I started painting again. I took classes 15 years ago with an instructor in Oregon City. My stuff was VERY cartoon-like and I wasn’t pleased with my progress after 1 year.

Then, I found Melissa Gannon at an Art Fair at the (Un)Covered Wagons in Oregon City about 5 years ago.

So, I took classes for a few years – and I improved. Less cartoon-like and more “realistic.”

But life happened and I dropped out for about 1.5 years.

So, I was working this summer – and the kiddos and I made our own watercolour paints. I brought in some of my watercolours for them to look at as they explored their own art.

And I thought: “I should be painting again.” And I signed up.

I started back at the end of September – and have made 3 out of the 4 paintings. (I saw Mo Willems during one the class periods.)

So, here they are. Not hideous. There are some great parts, some good parts, and some awful parts. But, I’m learning.

Our first assignment was an exploration in tints, shades, and tones. We traced our hands and went from there:

Then, we did sunflowers. Egads. Not my best work, but I learned a lot about glazing (a layer of thin paint over existing paint). The darker red is a glaze placed over other shape-defining colours.

This last week, we painted peaches. I SUCK at leaves. TOTALLY SUCK at leaves. But the peaches aren’t too bad. One kinda looks like a butt. ☺

Next week I think we are painting leaves. I think. Gads.

PNBA – Days Two and Three

The last two days of PNBA were a whirlwind. I did a variety of tasks: registration desk, author signings, breakfast with the authors, and door. But on each day, I ended up doing “Library/Breakdown” which is always awesome.

A quick introduction, too. This is Lana (I’m in the orange beside her). She introduced me to PNBA after we volunteered at Willamette Writers last year. THANK YOU, LANA! This is a great experience for me.



So, Day Two was business as usual. I met a few people. I hung out with friends I hadn’t seen in a while. And I was present at the author’s breakfast. There were 4 authors: two adult titles and two children’s/YA titles. I was lucky to get a copy of David Wiesner’s Art & Max, which is a children’s book:



David Wiesner is a three-time Caldecott winner (Flotsam is delish). He signed his newest book, Art & Max, which is a gem! The art is beautiful and the story is both amusing and profound. His presentation was wonderful!

And on Day Three, I came away with a few prizes, which I love.

Vladimir Tod is a series of YA books that I just got into – and I am enjoying them immensely. The first is Eighth Grade Bites. I’m sure you get the idea! On the last day, as people were packing up, I got a free bag.



The last goodie was a real surprise. A book representative was offering t-shirts from a book called Chicken Big. On the last day, as I was cleaning up, she handed me one and I said “thank you.” I wasn’t quite sure what I was thanking her for. Check out this shirt:



It’s a story about a “critter” who emerges from an egg and all the other barnyard animals wonder “what is it?” Delightful story. It’s a little huge for me, but I’m wearing the shirt to work today.

Next year? ABSOLUTELY! The volunteer coordinator is going to give me additional duties next year. I had a ball again! Thanks to Ben for helping me understand the author signing routine, to “the sisters” for helping me learn the ins and outs, to Larry and Karen for giving me the right amount of responsibility at the registration desk, and to Lana for introducing me to this event.

PNBA – Day One

Again, I am volunteering at the PNBA Trade Show. PNBA = Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association. I had a complete ball last year so I was invited back to volunteer all three days.

Last night, I was a part of the Author Night Capper. About 20 - 30 authors from all over the Pacific Northwest (mostly) participated. Books varied from non-fiction to cookbooks to adult fiction to children’s books.

And – once again – I was honoured to be seated with a fantastic author: Ron Lovell.



Ron is a former Journalism professor at OSU who retired a while ago. Now, he writes a mystery series with a professor as the protagonist: Thomas Martindale! The book he brought with him last night is the 8th in the series, Murder in E-Flat Major, which was released last July.



As I sat with Ron, he regaled me with funny stories about some of his signings – and offered fantastic advice for when I’m sitting on that side of the table autographing my books. ☺ And it was neat to see book buyers and booksellers talk to him about his series. Some were fakey-fake, but most were genuine and pleased that he has a new book out. Some just wanted books for their Christmas list, I’m sure. Giggle.

So, I’m about 1/3 of the way through the book – and it’s wonderful. The cover is absolutely gorgeous (as you can see from the picture) and each chapter number is enveloped in a cello. His details are spot-on without being overwhelming and his characters are intelligent, interesting, and very human. The Pacific Northwest comes alive in his books as it takes place (mostly) on the Oregon coast: Newport, Yaquina Bay, and Drift Creek Falls. I will offer a full review at a later date.

So, today, I head back this afternoon. I’m working ½ day today doing registration and clean-up so that we can be ready for Saturday. I’m working the entire day on Saturday: 7:30 to about 3:00.

Busy! Busy! But I love it!

Mo Willems – LIVE

(all photos were taken with my iPhone – some are good. Some are not!)

Life is busy with volunteering, work, family, the gym, and writing. But I did manage to squeeze out a bit of time to see Mo Willems live!

The event started at 6:30. I arrived around 6, thinking that I had plenty of time. Boy, was I wrong:



The Barnes and Noble area was PACKED! When I arrived, a busload (FULL) was unloading parents, teachers, and children from one of the school districts 20 or so miles away. Barnes and Noble was smart in that they handed out bracelets with numbers on them. They were the numbers for our place in the autographing line. Here’s mine:



Yup. That’s 186! I was chatting with a few people and their numbers were in the 200 and 300 categories. Later, I was speaking with a teacher who left – she gave me her bracelet with 182 on it. I gave that to a woman with a bracelet in the 290s.

As for location, most of the time, I was stuck behind a pillar near the down escalator. Mo was somewhere beyond the sea of people. Can you see him? He has a beard. (Notice the people climbing over the bookshelves to see him? There were hundreds of people there.



He read his newest – and final – Knuffle Bunny book (Knuffle Bunny Free) and We Are in a Book, then he took questions and began signing. After the first 100 people went, I found a seat – and got to see Mo in person:



He asked us to respect the fact that he doesn’t like flash photography – and most people were great with it. A few may not have known or were confused, but that was very very rare. So, that’s why my photos are a little grainy.

I met a woman who had bracelet #157 – and she asked me to join her in line. I did. And I think she saved me an additional 30 minutes that night. Bless her heart.

So, after much ado, I finally got to see Mo – and get his autograph:



So, Mo signed my copy of Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed, which is my very first introduction to Mo Willems’ work. It’s fantastic. A naked mole rat who pooh-poohs society and wears clothes. BRILLIANT!



And my aunt’s books for 2 of the kiddos in her life:



(I have The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! also – and it’s wonderful!)

So, that was 2 ½ hours of my life last night. And well worth it! Thank you to Susie who saved me by asking me to join her in line.

Bruiser by Neal Shusterman (a review)

Bruiser by Neal Shusterman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I haven’t blown through a 300+ word book in less than a day in a long, long time. I started this at bedtime, thinking that I would read for ½ an hour and then sleep. I read for nearly 2 hours – until I was exhausted and couldn’t focus on the story.



This morning, I picked it up and zoomed through it!



Absolutely fantastic!



Both with realistic and (light) fantasy elements, Bruiser is a literary vortex that sucked me in and didn’t let go – even now that I have finished the book. This is the story of Brewster Rawlins, a boy with a loner reputation – and the leave-me-alone personality to go with it.



Or so it seems.



When Brewster is be-friended by Bronte and Tennyson, his life becomes more of an open book. He likes to read Ginsberg, play basketball, and protect his 8-year-old brother from their mean, spiteful, drunk of an uncle. But he holds a secret that he isn’t willing to reveal – even if it means a world of hurt for him.



Ellen Hopkins (of Crank fame) writes that this is a “dark and darkly humorous, intense and intensely satisfying” read. Yup!





View all my reviews

Hater by David Moody (a review)

Hater by David Moody

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Amid the governmental warnings, "Do Not Panic," "Remain Calm," "Take Shelter," and "Wait For Further Instructions," seemingly-nice citizens of an urban metropolis start killing each other. It's only a few incidents at first, but the violence escalates and the killers are dubbed "Haters" by the media.

Fear is the order of the day as people are slaughtered by strangers, friends, co-workers, and family. The Haters kill with whatever they have: guns, knives, rocks, their bare hands. Frenzied attacks become more and more commonplace. And in the life of Danny McCoyne, family man and man without ambition, protecting his family becomes increasingly important.

It seems pretty cut and dry as the reader tears through the pages of the novel to get to the truth: "who are the Haters...?" And at the end, do we really know? For some of us, yes.

Dubbed "brutal" and "eerie and violent," the dark and controversial Hater is definitely not for the weak of stomach. Me? I've got the constitution of a person who has read and watched horror for more than 4 decades. I was weaned on Bela Lugosi films and grew up with Stephen King novels. A friend once said - because it is rare that something like this scares me - that I must be "dead inside."

With that said, Hater did not scare me or put me on a "head-spinning thrill ride" (Guillermo del Toro), but it did give me pause and made me think of our world and what we do to one another in the name of religion, patriotism, democracy, and peace. And I sit here contemplating (as many of us do - and have) who are the Haters? If nothing else, this book will give the reader another launching point in considering the state of our world - and the future of humankind.

The first of (at least) 4 books, the Hater series seems destined to offer nightmares, start important conversations, and (minimally) keep the reader glued to their seat (or bed pillow) until the end.

View all my reviews

Writing AGAIN! Writing Group! Job Update!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Writing Group

I have writing group tonight! This is our first “official” meeting. The last meeting included getting to know one another and figure out “rules.” We are meeting at one of our members’ house in Vancouver. A bit of a drive, but it’ll be worth it! I’ll let you know how it goes.

Job Update

I am bailing on the adult education jobs. I’m not feeling it. And I am very fortunate that money is not a big factor in my decision. So, I am returning to my previous job working with kiddos.

I might be working with 6th grade in a service learning class. OR I might be doing an art class with grades 3 – 5. It’s kinda up in the air right now.

Writing Update

I worked exclusively on my untitled YA novel today. And I cranked it. Oh ya! I cranked it!

Today’s word count: 1178 words (on untitled YA novel)

Initial writing (renegotiated) = Wednesday, October 20 (I have a retreat that weekend)

Whole thing (renegotiated) = Friday, November 19

Seahawks Season Opener and Back to the Writing Grind

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Seahawks Season Opener

So, my mother had never been to an American football game – and we proposed going to the season opener of the Seahawks (the team closest to us). She agreed – because they were playing her favorite team: the San Francisco 49ers.

If you didn’t see the game, it was a wipe-out (Seahawks 31; 49ers 6). But I had a GREAT time.

A few pics:

Our sign for the game. We never displayed it. So, if you were looking in the stands, we didn’t raise it. Ooops.

Our view (we were [roughly] on the 15 yard line in row P). We were in the “Charter” section. I’m not sure what that means, but we had GREAT seats. And the stadium was LOUD! My ears are still ringing three days later.

The dudes in front of us. They were hilarious. Every goal scored and every play made, they acted like THEY had done it. After the game, I told them that they were awesome and a lot of fun to watch. They were hilarious!

The people who worked in the stadium were AWESOME – we had a lot of help and our questions were answered politely and respectfully. People told us to be prepared for rude and obnoxious people. THAT WAS SO NOT THE CASE! We had a nice time.

Job Update

Whatever. Tired of looking for a job. Tired of other people being hired over me. ☺ Trying to maintain a good attitude. Giggle.

Writing Update

It’s been over a month since I visited with the agents and editor at the conference. Am I feeling WAY BEHIND!!?? YES!!!!! Overwhelmed? YES!!!!!

Today, I am working on my piece for my writing group (which meets on Thursday). I am playing with POV. Inspired by Party by Tom Leveen, I am writing my YA novel from multiple perspectives. Could be fun. If it’s not successful to keep it with multiple POVs, I probably will find the “right” POV to use.

Today’s word count: 0 words

Initial writing (renegotiated) = Wednesday, October 20 (I have a retreat that weekend)

Whole thing (renegotiated) = Friday, November 19

After the Pitches: Days Twenty-Five thru Thirty-One

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Wow. What a week. I spent Wednesday and Friday at the doctor’s office with my mother. And the funniest thing happened: I wrote in my composition book on Friday while I waited for her to come out of her appointment. 622 words

On Thursday, I had to go to the office of unemployment to justify my unemployment cheq

ues. I’m okay doing that. It was a bit of a waste oftime, but they are, in essence, helping me with the bills as I look for a job.

That night, I met with my writing group for the first time! I think we are going to do really well. I enjoy their work (we exchanged pages) and I look forward to our next time together.

My aunt arrived Thursday night, so, in addition to the doctor’s on Friday, I spent the day with mum and my aunt doing a bitof shopping – and lunch at Olive Garden. I love love love their salad and soup. Probably because it is super salty.

Saturday was my anniversary. 17 years! And we spent the night with my mum and aunt at California Pizza Kitchen (and I wonder why I’m not losing any weight). We got gifties and hung out.

On Sunday, we made crock-pot meatloaf (it’s AWESOME!) and watched Hot Fuzz. I love those guys!

On Monday, I picked up my aunt and we jetted downtown for a day at Powell’s City of Books.

But not before we ate at The Original: A Dinerant. I had the most amazing tofu scramble and she had crème brulee french toast.

She snagged these gems because they aren’t in her local library. Bruce Hale’s Chet Gecko series is delightful!

And yesterdaywas spent with the hubby because he was super sick. Poor honey. But he’s back at work now – and feeling better.

Today? Blogging (obviously – duh), writing a little, and going to Panera Bread with my aunt and mum. And I hope to never eat out again for a while. Or… whenever. ☺

This week’s word count: 622 words

Initial writing = Way last month

Whole thing = Friday, September 24, 2010

Procrastination = 18

Grossed-out Factor = 1

Life = 8

Manuscript = 4

After the Pitches: Day Twenty-Four

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

No work was done. I didn’t think it would be. Rough day. It would have been dad’s 69th birthday.

And mum and I had to go to the doctor because she was not doing very well earlier in the week.

And mum was having a rough time.

So, rough day for me, also.

I think I figured something out. It’s difficult to hit a deadline (especially writing, for me) when a lot of difficult stuff is going on: job hunting, anniversaries & birthdays that won’t be happening, and lots of emotion.

Today’s word count: 0 words

Initial writing = Yesterday

Whole thing = Friday, September 24, 2010

Procrastination = 12

Grossed-out Factor = 1

Life = 8

Manuscript = 3

After the Pitches: Day Twenty-Three

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Today is my final day for the initial writing. I am going to write like there’s no tomorrow. I got in 865 words yesterday, but mum had two angina attacks and I zoomed over there to take care of her. I didn’t write when I was over there.

So, today, I am hoping to get several thousands of words under my belt.

It’s 8:00.

I’ve got my cup of coffee, my glasses, and my fuzzy dog is sleeping in the other room.

The keyboard and mouse have batteries and are working.

The window is open and my incense is burning.

Depeche Mode is blasting out of the speakers.

I’ve read the news, Facebook, Twitter, emails, and random crap I came across. Made comments where appropriate.

And I looked for a job.

No excuses. No distractions.

So, off I go!

8:00 – 8:30 = about 560 new words

(hungry now – didn’t take that into consideration earlier. Sigh.)

9:00 = Chihuahua in my arms; typing with one hand; watching the first season of The Sopranos

10:00 = starting back up; full belly; another cup of coffee; Chihuahua settled into her OWN BED; Supernatural is on; wrote another 100 or so words.

11:00 – end of day = gave up; apparently the one distraction I didn’t take into account just took over: filing. I would turn around (my desk is a U-shape) and bump into the pile; after the third time doing this, I got p’d off and decided to file.

That took me to the end of the day. I’m giving myself ½ for procrastination and ½ for manuscript today! Hey! I did nearly 700 words. ☺

Today’s word count: 675 words

Initial writing = TODAY! (ARG! Not done!)

Whole thing = Friday, September 25, 2010

Procrastination = 12

Grossed-out Factor = 1

Life = 7

Manuscript = 3

Testing BlogPress

Let's see if this works. I am doing this on my iPad. I am sending it 3 of my 4 sites.

Watching Ghost Whisperer and brain farting! It's not that great of a show. But the brain farting is pretty great!

I didn't make it to the Book Fair Warehouse Sale. I spent the day with my mum instead. She had an attack of angina and took 2 nitro pills.

So I played games, surfed the Internet and relaxed. And kept an eye on mum.

Tired now!

After the Pitches: Day Twenty-Two

Monday, August 30, 2010

Started my day tired. So, I read the last of Stiefvater’s Linger. Beautiful book. The ending was a little too easy regarding where Grace went – and how (no spoilers – but if you’ve read it, you know what I’m talking about, probably). I’m going to start Mockingjay tonight!

Caught up on my blogging. It was a wacky week last week, so I didn’t really get any writing done. But a lot of other things got done.

Now? I’m sucking down a Smart Ones Orange Sesame Chicken meal (DELISH!!) and finishing my coffee. It’s weird – I don’t drink as much coffee as I used to. I seem to nurse a cup for the morning. More-than-likely, I will go to Starbucks for a NF latte before my volunteer time at the Scholastic Bookfair Warehouse Sale! I’ll need the go-go juice!

And I opened up my manuscript. I am going to work for 1.5 hours on it. You will see the results in the next line (it’ll be 1.5 hours for me, but only seconds for you):

Today’s word count: 865 words (and I worked for 1 hour)

I’m giving myself ½ for manuscript and ½ for procrastination today. Sounds fair to me!

Initial writing = tomorrow (yeah, right!)

Whole thing = Friday, September 25, 2010

Procrastination = 11.5

Grossed-out Factor = 1

Life = 7

Manuscript = 2.5

After the Pitches: Days Nineteen, Twenty, and Twenty-One

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, August 27 - 29, 2010

Wow! Busy week. Rough week. I couldn’t write at all this week. My brain was on fire – and not in a good way (how could a brain on fire BE GOOD, anyway?).

Anyway, Friday found me slightly hung-over from the night before (CPK is EVIL) and extremely tired and lethargic. So, I read.

Saturday was WOW! busy, but I really enjoyed the day. The spouse and I went to Starbucks for fortification. Then, he went his way, and I went to my volunteer work at the Scholastic Bookfair Warehouse Sale! It was a BLAST! I was there for 8 hours and I met some awesome people, hung out with teachers and librarians and parents, and I got a gazillion free books. (For every hour you volunteer, you get $10 worth of bookfair books, which are discounted to begin with). I got MOCKINGJAY!! For 50% off!!! And, in essence, FREE, because no money exchanged hands – I just worked my bootie off for it! Check out some of these titles: Killer Pizza, Suddenly Supernatural, SLOB! Awesome. I also picked up Mo Willems’ Pigeon Wants a Puppy! I’m a sucker for Willems.

Sunday was a rough day. It would have been my folks’ anniversary, so we had mum over. And we had crock pot meatloaf, frozen yogurt pie, and watched Public Enemies.

Writing? Nope. Gads.

Initial writing = 1 day from now

Whole thing = 25 days from now

Procrastination = 11

Grossed-out Factor = 1

Life = 7

Manuscript = 2

After the Pitches: Day Eighteen

Thursday, August 25, 2010

Woke up late – had a bad night’s sleep last night. Begged husband to let me sleep in. ☺

And that defines my day!

Initial writing = 4 days from now

Whole thing = 28 days from now

Procrastination = 10

Grossed-out Factor = 1

Life = 5

Manuscript = 2

After the Pitches: Day Seventeen

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

I’ve got headache hangover (not sure if it’s the Vicodin or the headache itself that has hung me over).

Mum had a rough night last night, so I spent time with her – and I am worried about her today.

The Chihuahua is at my feet – forever wanting up into my arms to sleep. So, I opened the blind for her – and she’s resting piglet-like in the sunshine on the carpet.

I am drinking the nastiest cup of coffee known to humankind. Yes, I made it. After 32 years of drinking coffee, you’d think I could make a good cup.

And I have a bad case of Supernatural withdrawal.

So writing is a little rough today. But I am doing it.

And I have a little help. She’s parked right behind my chair.

Later that day…

Success. I increased my manuscript by 2570 words today.

Initial writing = 6 days from now

Whole thing = 30 days from now

Procrastination = 9

Grossed-out Factor = 1

Life = 5

Manuscript = 2

After the Pitches: Day Sixteen

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Dang it! Bad headache today. I had to take my prescription, so no work was done.

Doggone it!

Initial writing = 7 days from now

Whole thing = 31 days from now

Procrastination = 9

Grossed-out Factor = 1

Life = 5

Manuscript = 1

After the Pitches: Day Fifteen

Monday, August 23, 2010

Okay, I’m taking a new tactic under advisement: pretending that my writing is like a job. Well, it is a job, but taking it more seriously.

I got up and got showered and dressed (a good start). I planned on starting my writing at 8 AM. Here’s how it went:

8:00 all ready late

8:01 still late

8:02 started this blog

8:03 – 8:07 working on blog

8:08 clean up desk of filing crap

8:09 open document

8:10 need to find glasses and warm up coffee

8:11 started work

8:18 decided that the book is just fine in third person. I just need to add more details and make it a little funnier.

9:55 I’ve been writing all this time; and I’ve gained 1,703 words. Time for a food - and Chihuahua loving - break

10:15 full belly and a cup of coffee; so back at it - one-handed because I have a love-seeking Chihuahua in my arms

11:46 as Winnie the Pooh would say “this looks like a good place to rest” I finished 2,005 words today. And I got reacquainted with my story. It’s dog-gone good. And when I “beef it up” a little more, it’ll be really good.

A good day’s work. And the first number listed after “Manuscript” now. It now says “Manuscript = 1”!

Bravo!

Deadline has changed. I want to be finished with the initial writing by Tuesday, August 31 and done with the whole thing by Friday, September 24, 2010.

Procrastination = 9

Grossed-out Factor = 1

Life = 4

Manuscript = 1

After the Pitches: Days Thirteen and Fourteen

Saturday, August 21 and Sunday, August 22, 2010

Busy few days. I don’t write on the weekends, anyway, so I’m not really counting these as “wasted” days. But I am getting closer to the deadline.

Saturday was spent doing chores. We fixed the truck, went to mum’s to help her with securing her home, and went to dinner.

Sunday was spent watching movies (The Crazies and The Proposal) and walking to dinner (salads at Jack in the Box).

8 days to self-imposed deadline. I’ll get my groove on next week – after I make a plan with the hubby about the “new and improved plan” for my writing goals.

Procrastination = 9

Grossed-out Factor = 1

Life = 4

Manuscript = 0

After the Pitches: Day Twelve

Friday, August 20, 2010

Definitely a day to chalk up to PROCRASTINATION! Got up at 7 and watched The Proposal on my iPad on Netflix (for some reason, I keep typing Netflex).

Anyway, it was quite good. I do like a good Sandra Bullock romantic comedy. And Ryan Reynolds. ‘Nuff said.

Then the hubby came home to work and I’ve been filing and doing emails.

And applying for jobs.

10 days to self-imposed deadline.

Procrastination = 7

Grossed-out Factor = 1

Life = 4

Manuscript = 0

After the Pitches: Day Eleven

Thursday, August 19, 2010

I read yesterday’s blog. And I thought, okay, there are a few places where I can improve my chances of being more successful in my attempts to write. (Only a few?)

So, I got dressed. I’m actually in pants and a sweaterset. I put on deodorant and runners (with socks). I am not in my jammies and robe, wrapped in a blanket on the sofa.

AND I am out of the house. I grabbed the laptop, my purse and my “butt toning shoes” and walked to Starbucks – a mile away.

There’s the problem. I get here and I’m damned pooped – and my butt hurts. It’s been a long week: booze- and crappy food-filled and off-kilter (I haven’t been in a good sleep routine for a few days and it’s showing). And I feel gross.

Even a non-fat latte isn’t helping. That and the fact that it’s 30 degrees below zero in here. My goosebumps have goosebumps.

However, I did get to listen in on a Bible Study group next to me. It’s interesting that my local Starbucks has turned into a location for various Bible Study groups. Aside from them, there is a reverend (of questionable repute) who haunts the place. Speaking of the dude, he just walked in. Let the show begin!

So, I’ve written an Excel spreadsheet charting my employment search (for Oregon Unemployment) and a letter to Fred Meyer regarding their REALLY ANNOYING stocking procedures (they stock product ALL THE TIME and it’s nearly impossible to shop there without tripping, falling, or stubbing toes). And I’m listening to Elvis (currently: There’ll Be Peace in The Valley For Me).

And I just discovered how to access the Internet at Starbucks. Ah geez.

11 days to self-imposed deadline. Oh crap! It’s the halfway point. Oh nooooo….

Procrastination = 6

Grossed-out Factor = 1

Life = 4

Manuscript = 0

After the Pitches: Day Ten

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Today is another day to write up to procrastination. “Life” influences are (mostly) done and I am back to finding excuses to not write.

Today’s lineup? A good example of a typical “writing day” for me:

1. Woke up and hung out in jammies. Huge mistake – need to actually wear “work clothes” which means getting out of my “sleeping clothes” and into something that I can envision myself working in. Drank ½ cup of coffee.

2. Stayed in the house (mostly) – I think I need to get out of the house to consider myself “working.” Working in the house offers many distractions: TV, iPad, Internet (Facebook and Twitter), books (Linger is my newest temptation. Mockingjay will be next week’s). Laundry. Cleaning dust bunnies from under the refrigerator.

3. Brunch with Mum. Okay. I DID (technically) get out of the house (and out of my jammies). Technically. But I walked to our neighborhood restaurant and had a 2-hour brunch with my mother. 10 AM to 12 PM. Not including walking time. Came to the conclusion that this shot my whole morning. ☺

4. Got home and thought “well, what’s the point now?” and called the hubby

5. Then I lived on my iPad: chatted on Facebook, Twittered, and emailed.

6. Hubby got home and we walked to McDonald’s. I had a craving for their fries. Another 1.5 hours gone.

7. Zombieland arrived in the mail (Netflix is the bane of all at-home workers EVERYWHERE) – watched that. Discovered the ability to watch movies on the iPad (thanks for the INFO HUBBY!)

8. Then had to “critique” Zombieland (Rule #18: Limber Up). Brainstormed the creation of my own rules about writing. Rule #1: Turn on computer/pick up pen and paper! Rule #2: Write! Rule #3: Repeat daily/hourly/minutely (okay not a word, but I had to go with the flow, right?)

9. Texted boss about her impending trip and ideas for next session (which starts end of September); fiddled with iPad a little more (figured out how to get rid of “sent from my iPad” to every email recipient. WHO CARES HOW I SENT THE BLESSED THING?!?)

10. Picked up Linger.

The End.

12 days to deadline.

Procrastination = 5

Grossed-out Factor = 1

Life = 4

Manuscript = 0

After the Pitches: Day Nine

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Well, I watched a bit more Supernatural (it’s research for the books - honest) – and knew that I didn’t get the job. Training starts Wednesday and I hadn’t heard anything, so the writing was on the wall.

And – yup – got the call around 1:30. The HR Director called – and I didn’t get one word in. She sped through the “apology” and told me “thank you for applying to work with [our organization]” – I ALL READY WORK FOR YOU!!!

That said it all to me about the organization.

I am mad. Upset. Shocked. Frustrated. And disappointed. And I’m off to get a beer.

Chalk up another one to “life” stealing away my writing time.

14 days to deadline. Two weeks!

Procrastination = 4

Grossed-out Factor = 1

Life = 4

Manuscript = 0

After the Pitches: Day Eight

Monday, August 16, 2010

Distracted.

Waiting for a phone call regarding the status of my job interview. Really distracted.

So, I watched a few hours of last season’s Supernatural and laughed my butt off (Changing Channels just about killed me).

15 days to deadline. Oh crap. 15 days to deadline. Help me….

Procrastination = 4

Grossed-out Factor = 1

Life = 3

Manuscript = 0

After the Pitches: Days Six and Seven

Saturday and Sunday, August 14 and 15, 2010

I vowed to take weekends off – no matter what. And I did. I watched Clash of the Titans and Avatar. We had my mum over for dinner.

And I bought an iPad.

I was busy.

16 days to deadline

Procrastination = 3; Grossed-out Factor = 1; Life = 3; Manuscript = 0

After the Pitches: Day Five

Friday, August 13, 2010

Job interview today.

‘Nuff said.

18 days to deadline

Procrastination = 3; Grossed-out Factor = 1; Life = 1; Manuscript = 0

After the Pitches: Day Four

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Distracted today by something totally different and mind-numbing: attack of the bugs! The spousal unit and I have been seeing little brown bugs around the house. A few here, a few there. Not in mass numbers. But I found 5 in the bathroom last night and decided to haul out the vacuum today.

Big mistake.

These buggers cling to walls, popcorn ceilings, and little crevices in EVERYTHING. So, I started vacuuming bugs in the bathroom, then the kitchen, then the floor, then the hallway…. I found their entry way (I think). In our hall, we have a closet. The bottom pulls up so that we can have access to the underbelly of the house. We keep our coats in there, our first aid materials, soap, shampoo, etc. And the dog’s treats. Not any more! I found a bag with literally THOUSANDS of these bugs in it.

And I’m a little grossed out. Okay, a lot grossed out. And I can’t contain myself. I have suck up every single one of these monsters! Every. Single. One.

19 days to deadline

Procrastination = 3; Grossed-out Factor = 1; Manuscript = 0

After the Pitches: Day Three

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Procrastination is the big winner so far regarding the use of my time. So, I decided today that I would track my time and see what I actually do all day.

Got up early again! 5:00 AM seems to be SLEEPING IN for me lately. Sheesh. However, that doesn’t stop me from taking a nap about ½ hour later.

Woke up again at 7:00. Finished Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw and then I finished Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days. I laughed less during these books and I liked them less (they both felt more like a series of one-liners than a story).

7:00 – 9:00. Surfed the web; wrote on Facebook; watched two episodes of Haven on the DVR.

9:00. Watched an episode of First 48 that I have seen a million times. And started this blog.

9:30 – 10:30. Talked with my mother on the phone.

10:30 – 11:30. Supernatural mini-marathon

11:30 – 3:30. Lunch with colleague; went to bead store to make earrings

3:30 – 6:00. Dinner and chatting with husband.

I can’t say that I’m not busy. Just not overly productive.

20 days to deadline

Procrastination = 3; Manuscript = 0

After the Pitches: Day Two

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

The day started off well. I went to my local Starbucks to work on my manuscript. I brought Diary of a Wimpy Kid 3, Nathan Abercrombie Accidental Zombie 2, Elizabeth Lyon’s Manuscript Makeover – and my laptop.

My 2 favorite tables were occupied – by a businessman yelling on his phone and a homeless man sleeping over his cup of coffee. So, I ended up at a long table near the area where people pick up their drinks. But at least I could plug in my laptop.

I plugged in my ear buds and cranked Depeche Mode’s extended mixes. I settled in – although it was a little chilly (why do they crank the AC when it’s 65 degrees OUTSIDE) – and opened up my laptop to start working.

First, I pulled my manuscript out of Scrivener and pasted it into Word.

Second, I named the chapters for easier reference: Chapter One, Chapter Two…

Third, I copied my previously-concocted detailed outline into the document.

Then, I picked up Diary of a Wimpy Kid 3 to research effective first-person writing geared toward middle grade readers.

HUGE MISTAKE!

This lead to a trip to Kohl’s, a transfer into my pajamas, and a strong desire to clean everything within 100 square miles of my home.

And now? A repeat performance of Wall-E!

21 days to deadline

Procrastination = 2; Manuscript = 0

After the Pitches: Day One

Monday, August 9, 2010

So, I went through my manuscript again to fiddle and fart with it. And as I was reading it, I decided that I have to rewrite it. Currently, it’s in third person. And I know it will be more successful in first person.

Shoot.

So, I made a plan to rewrite the manuscript in first person by the end of August. That gives me 22 days.

I picked up all of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books on Sunday, so I picked up the first one to check it out. And I laughed my butt off.

Then, I started the second book.

I never got back to the manuscript.

Procrastination = 1; Manuscript = 0

Getting published: and the journey continues…

Willamette Writers Conference 2010

I was going to call this entry “and the journey begins” but that is completely not the truth. This journey started – in it’s serious form – three years ago. I pitched my idea to an agent in 2007 who said “yes, please, send it in.” And I didn’t. For a variety of reasons, which really don’t matter in the world of publishing. Suffice it to say, I dropped the ball.

It is now 2010 and I’m not completely done with the piece but I decided to go “balls to the wall” and just pitch it! And have fun doing it. So, here’s my 3-day journey:

Thursday, August 5

Mandatory volunteer training for the conference. I am volunteering two of the days for 4 hours each shift. I have Sunday off to frolic and go to workshops. Mostly the same information as last year, but it’s great to see familiar faces and reconnect for the conference.

Attended Pitch with the Pros. If you ever attend a conference and are pitching your work, and if they have an opportunity to practice your pitch, I HIGHLY recommend it. There were a few rooms open to pitches and it was invaluable. The first woman who pitched her book was SPOT ON! From then on, many people rambled on about their plot. NOTE TO SELF: find a one-line hook to grab the attention of the agent or editor.

Friday, August 6

Up bright and early. Need to leave by 6:30 to beat the traffic. Got to the conference at 7:20. Breakfast (as always) is fabulous. Met new people. Hung out with writing friends. Put up a flyer to solicit serious people to create a writing critique group with me.

First pitch is to an agent who is creating a middle grade line at her company. It’s a fairly young line at her company. She was in the panel earlier in the day – and I found that I really liked her. When I pitched, we connected. She asked, “so what is your hook?” I rambled a little bit and said “X-files monster-of-the-week premise meets Goosebumps.” After a few mini-brainstorms, she came up with “X-files monster-of-the-week meets Diary of a Wimpy Kid” – YEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!! Later, she saw me volunteering in the room and said “I was thinking about this and I think you should simplify it to ‘X-files meets Diary of a Wimpy Kid.’” This became my MANTRA all conference.

Additionally, she asked if I was pitching to any agents at the conference. I named a few. She said “tell them I like it.” (There was much celebrating at my table at lunch.)

Worked the consultation area that afternoon. Wore my new Avia-brand “Shape Up” type of shoes and had ZERO back pain!

Became known as “the beach bag woman” by people at the conference. (I dunno.)

Saturday, August 7

Carpooled with a friend to the conference. Got there for breakfast. Chatted.

Pitched to the first agent at 9:00. I had fun with it and said “the editor over there likes it.” Before I got out two sentences, she was hauling out her business card and writing her query requirements on it. She said, “I’m not taking many solicitations for new clients, but I love it! Send me the whole thing!”

Throughout the rest of the day, we would catch each others’ eyes and grin at each other. Later that day, a friend of mine pitched to her and came back to report that editors and agents were talking about my pitch. HOLY SHIT!

Volunteered that afternoon. Celebrated with friends about their pitches. Kathy was asked for her entire first manuscript and synopses of her next two. Blythe received 4 out of 4 “please send me your manuscript” requests!

Met a strange man who wanted to pitch his entire manuscript to me – which was based on the opera “Carmen.” I asked him what his short pitch was – and he said, “I can’t pitch this in a smaller scale. It’s just not possible.” To which I said, “good luck to you, sir.”

Went home with a BEAST of a migraine. Slept most of the night.

Sunday, August 8

Last day. No volunteering for me this day. I went to a few workshops and pitched to a few people.

My first pitch was with one of the leading agencies in the world for children’s literature. And she is the president. Scared? Nah. “Balls to the wall” right?

I did my quick pitch and told her that I pitched it to one of her agents a few years ago (remember the one that I didn’t send in 2007?). She said, “polish it, make it beautiful, and send it to her.”

3 out of 3.

That afternoon, I was exhausted. Emotionally. Physically. Spiritually. Done. One more pitch.

It was a group pitch. One agent and five authors. Doesn’t leave much time. But I liked how she coordinated it. Each of us had one minute to pitch. Then she would offer advice, etc.

We all pitched. I did my spiel (which morphed all weekend). Then she says (I was the fourth of five authors):

to the first author: “No show stoppers here. Make sure you call it eco-terror”

to the second author: “again, no show stoppers. Refine your pitch. And call it a thriller. The title is a little dry.”

to the third author: “funny. you are hilarious. your book will be hilarious. cut your POV to 3 or fewer characters. you’ve got something here. But change the title.” (she writes like Christopher Moore, if you’re familiar with his work.)

to me: “I LOVE IT! The title is awesome. The characters are appealing. I can sell it RIGHT NOW based on your hook! But, you should add more words. Make it closer to 40,000. Then, send me the whole thing!”

to the fifth author: “I have NO IDEA what your book is about. I can’t offer an opinion. Make it less confusing. Define the characters. And let me know when you’re done with it.”

Aftermath

I thought I was exhausted before – now I need to write more. And (I decided this last night), I need to change it from 3-person to 1-person! It’s gotta be done. Painful process, but it’ll make it a better book (no one suggested it – but I KNOW it will be better.)

I bought the 4 Diary of a Wimpy Kid books so that I can really refine my writing style. I am peeing myself laughing at the antics. And now I understand the reference the kiddos had this summer to the “cheese touch.” I never understood why I was crossing my fingers, but I did it anyway. These books are the reason I KNOW I need to change my POV to first person. Damn Jeff Kinney! Damn him!

Well, off to fortify my body. Then, my mind. Then, the keyboard. Busy week ahead! Busy busy busy week!

Eggs

 

Wow – these girls are going to town. We have two girls who are laying for sure (Lucy and Polly). And I think we have a new contender – but I don’t know who. A new egg was found alongside Lucy’s in Lucy’s nest.

So, did I tell you that I looked up the girls’ egg-laying profiles? Yup. All of them are PROLIFIC egg layers. Which means a CRAP LOAD of eggs.

Polly’s eggs are the two light-coloured ones on the right. Lucy’s are the three reddish ones in the middle. The newest egg is the lighter one on the left.

I still haven’t gone out today to check the coop.

Help me Rhonda!

It’s still a little dark here, but the girls are outside eating bread as we speak. I might overturn the compost bin and let them go to town today while I’m at work and the spousal unit is at work.

Off to prepare the SMALLEST of all SMALL lesson plans. I’m doing games with the kiddos. Board games. Card games. And gym games. Fun times! I get to see them use up a lot of their energy.

Day one of my writing goal…

GADS! I had a wally-honker of a migraine last night. Not bad enough to go to the hospital – but kinda bad. I took 1.5 Vicodin and that seemed to work, but I have “headache hangover” plus a headache today. SHEESH!

So, now writing today. I think I’ll watch Part Two of The Prisoner (with Jim Caveziel). Part One was doggone good.

A picture of one of our girls. This is Esther – our “boo-boo’d” chicken. This was taken 1 month ago.

We are thinking of sending a picture of her and a write-up of her medical condition to Backyard Chickens magazine. We *guess* it’s rickets, but we are not sure. It would be interesting to see what she has (without paying the exorbitant vet bills) and get an idea of what her life is like – and what it will look like when/if she lays.

She does just fine squeaking her way through the yard (she doesn’t cluck – she squeaks). She digs for bugs, loves apples and potatoes, and follows her sisters around. What’s amazing is the flock doesn’t pick on her – they actually nurture her. Huh. Weird.

Well, off to relax. I’m tired of this headache, but it’ll be gone by this weekend. It usually is gone in 3 – 4 days.

Have a good one – whatever you do.

I *don’t* make resolutions, but…

 

I am not a fan of making resolutions. I usually make ridiculous claims (I’m going to lose 50 pounds by summer, I will walk 5 miles a day, I will write the “Great American Novel” in one summer, and other such crap like that…). Always sets me up for failure.

However, this year, I wanted to do something a little like a resolution – but not a resolution. Perhaps I should call it a “goal” (still sounds all resolution-like). But it’s a better word than “resolution.” During the first week of the year, the spousal unit and I wrote down things that we wanted to get accomplished this year – together and separate. My list included: joining a Sangha (Buddhism), write 5x per week, payoff vehicle, increase savings, yoga, cut expenses.

So, since that day, I’ve been thinking about these “goals” and pondering the importance of each one. They are all fine goals, with merits. But one is SCREAMING at me to do it: write 5x per week.

The reason? In August 2007, I left my job at the local university to write. That August (the last day of my job), my father-in-law passed away – and things have not improved since. There have been various deaths, injuries, hospital visits, weight loss activities, family planning mishaps, and getting back to work (I started working January 2009). All of these numerous (too many to list) incidents used both physical and mental energy. So, I didn’t write much.

But what do I want to do?

WRITE!

And I don’t mean blogging, tweeting, IMing, lesson planning, etc! I mean WRITE FOR A LIVING!

So, here it is in print. My promise to myself. I will write at least 5 times per week. I will attend appropriate writing workshops (I have a stash of money saved for this). I will work on getting my final draft of my novel done by the Summer SCBWI Conference in LA, which is at the end of July. I am so committed to this that I am not going to work this summer so that I can finish it up and make it all pretty – and PITCH IT at the conference!

And, I won’t worry about joining a Sangha, paying off the vehicle, increasing the savings, or starting up a yoga practice. (Some of this will come when I get paid for writing for a living, eh?)

But what about cutting expenses? All ready done (say “goodbye” to indulgent cable bills, excessive dining out, craft projects, big grocery runs,  and Weight Watchers [I reached “Lifetime” and that means no more paying for WW]).

Whoot! That’s one “goal” down! One to go!

That wasn’t so bad, was it?