Daily Stats
Words: none
Kleenex: 784
Caffeine: morning cup + fourteen packets of EmergenC
Evil Calories: can't taste anything
Reality TV: American Idol
Mother of crap, I feel like hell. Up until now I've been able to dodge the plague, but apparently my time has come. You know what I love about being sick? Trying to sleep. It's so great waking up every half hour unable to breath out of your nose and it feels as if your cat has died in your mouth.
So, today I will be hiding in bed with my computer, sneezing and hacking all over my work. It'll be the best time ever.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
I Gots Mad Coping Skills
Daily Stats
Words: 1200
Caffeine: morning cup + midmorning cappuccino
Evil Calories: chocolate-covered figs (they sound weird but they're painfully good!)
Reality TV: Something so horrid I can't admit it openly (damn you VH1)
I don't really know very many other struggling writers. There's my uber-talented sister, of course. And a girl I met in one of my writing classes. But that's it. I suppose I could delve into some online community of aspiring writers and sit on a message board all day so I can spout off, but knowing me I'd spend all my time doing that and be too tired to write anything useful.
But the one thing I wish I had is a cluster of fellow writer friends who were at the exact same point that I am. One book completed that they're desperately trying to sell. That way we could swap stories of our harrowing adventures into the literary world, and perhaps share our coping skills.
You need coping skills when you do this kind of thing, because it is the most emotionally draining thing ever. Just imagine, you spend countless hours for months on end writing your book. Then you go back and spend countless hours for months on end re-writing your book. You pour your heart, soul, bank account (too many trips to Starbucks) and waning sanity into it. Then, when you're at the point where every time you read it you either want to throw up and/or cry tears of joy, you turn around try and make other people love it. And nine times out of ten...they won't.
Now, I have somewhat refined my coping skills. My favorite is to hide in bed with a pillow over my head, screaming "why, God, why?". Another favorite is to eat an entire cheesecake in one sitting. Then there are the things I tell myself I should do to cope. "Get a great new haircut" (I may be unpublished, but I have look damn good). "Lose twenty pounds" (I may be unpublished, but I just fit into a size 4!). And, of course, the dreaded "write something new".
I love to write, so calling it dreadful may seem strange. But it's sort of like dating. Sometimes it takes a little time to get back out there after your heart has been stomped to bits. In a way, you have to force yourself to do it, and the first few dates will surly be horribly abysmal pieces of garbage that you will never want to think of again. But eventually, you'll stumble upon some decent ones that will make you laugh and feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And then there will be the one. The one that grabs you. The one that you lay awake at night thinking about. The one that could be something.
Of course, I've been convinced I've found "the one" about 987 times since I put operation "write something new" into effect. Sometimes things sound great in your head, but they look like complete tripe on paper. Again it's like dating. You meet someone and think they're the cat's meow, but then you go out with them and discover they have a severe mucus problem and that they still live with their parents. Or, things are going well, then right in the middle of dinner, they ask the waiter out (yes, I said waiter.)
So, fingers crossed that I will soon find "the one". Or, "the one for now". Or maybe "the one long enough to keep me away from whole cheesecakes".
Words: 1200
Caffeine: morning cup + midmorning cappuccino
Evil Calories: chocolate-covered figs (they sound weird but they're painfully good!)
Reality TV: Something so horrid I can't admit it openly (damn you VH1)
I don't really know very many other struggling writers. There's my uber-talented sister, of course. And a girl I met in one of my writing classes. But that's it. I suppose I could delve into some online community of aspiring writers and sit on a message board all day so I can spout off, but knowing me I'd spend all my time doing that and be too tired to write anything useful.
But the one thing I wish I had is a cluster of fellow writer friends who were at the exact same point that I am. One book completed that they're desperately trying to sell. That way we could swap stories of our harrowing adventures into the literary world, and perhaps share our coping skills.
You need coping skills when you do this kind of thing, because it is the most emotionally draining thing ever. Just imagine, you spend countless hours for months on end writing your book. Then you go back and spend countless hours for months on end re-writing your book. You pour your heart, soul, bank account (too many trips to Starbucks) and waning sanity into it. Then, when you're at the point where every time you read it you either want to throw up and/or cry tears of joy, you turn around try and make other people love it. And nine times out of ten...they won't.
Now, I have somewhat refined my coping skills. My favorite is to hide in bed with a pillow over my head, screaming "why, God, why?". Another favorite is to eat an entire cheesecake in one sitting. Then there are the things I tell myself I should do to cope. "Get a great new haircut" (I may be unpublished, but I have look damn good). "Lose twenty pounds" (I may be unpublished, but I just fit into a size 4!). And, of course, the dreaded "write something new".
I love to write, so calling it dreadful may seem strange. But it's sort of like dating. Sometimes it takes a little time to get back out there after your heart has been stomped to bits. In a way, you have to force yourself to do it, and the first few dates will surly be horribly abysmal pieces of garbage that you will never want to think of again. But eventually, you'll stumble upon some decent ones that will make you laugh and feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And then there will be the one. The one that grabs you. The one that you lay awake at night thinking about. The one that could be something.
Of course, I've been convinced I've found "the one" about 987 times since I put operation "write something new" into effect. Sometimes things sound great in your head, but they look like complete tripe on paper. Again it's like dating. You meet someone and think they're the cat's meow, but then you go out with them and discover they have a severe mucus problem and that they still live with their parents. Or, things are going well, then right in the middle of dinner, they ask the waiter out (yes, I said waiter.)
So, fingers crossed that I will soon find "the one". Or, "the one for now". Or maybe "the one long enough to keep me away from whole cheesecakes".
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Send Prozac Now!
Daily Stats
Words: winter sucks the moose
Caffeine: morning cup + midmorning cappuccino + midafternoon Bailey's spiked cappuccino
Evil Calories: cookies...a whole sleeve in one sitting...sad...very sad
Reality TV: Project Runway
I hate winter. I mean I really hate winter. The kind of hate that puts your lip in a permanent snarl. I know full well that if I lived in Miami, I'd eventually get sick of the constant sunshine and heat (say, after about five thousand years or so), but when I find myself sinking into the ass-crack of winter, it's all I can do to not throw all my most prized possesions into the car (espresso machine, laptop, bag of Ruffles and my fat pants) and head south for good.
Needless to say, the evilness of winter has seeped into my brain, freezing all my creative snarkiness, and I'm finding it hard to write. Especially when the other enemy, TNT, plays marathons of Law & Order all day long. Hmmm...sit and rack frozen brain trying to work through plotlines or hide under quilt on far-too-comfy-to-be-legal couch with box of cookies watching Benjamin Bratt in all his chiseled glory?
Oh, and to add to the harmony, I am currently wearing a patch over my right eye. My left eye is "lazy", so this is my futile attempt at bulking up the muscle so I can actually read stop signs without squinting like a ninety year old.
Perhaps I should apply the same theory to my left butt cheek or my cankles, which are also "lazy".
Words: winter sucks the moose
Caffeine: morning cup + midmorning cappuccino + midafternoon Bailey's spiked cappuccino
Evil Calories: cookies...a whole sleeve in one sitting...sad...very sad
Reality TV: Project Runway
I hate winter. I mean I really hate winter. The kind of hate that puts your lip in a permanent snarl. I know full well that if I lived in Miami, I'd eventually get sick of the constant sunshine and heat (say, after about five thousand years or so), but when I find myself sinking into the ass-crack of winter, it's all I can do to not throw all my most prized possesions into the car (espresso machine, laptop, bag of Ruffles and my fat pants) and head south for good.
Needless to say, the evilness of winter has seeped into my brain, freezing all my creative snarkiness, and I'm finding it hard to write. Especially when the other enemy, TNT, plays marathons of Law & Order all day long. Hmmm...sit and rack frozen brain trying to work through plotlines or hide under quilt on far-too-comfy-to-be-legal couch with box of cookies watching Benjamin Bratt in all his chiseled glory?
Oh, and to add to the harmony, I am currently wearing a patch over my right eye. My left eye is "lazy", so this is my futile attempt at bulking up the muscle so I can actually read stop signs without squinting like a ninety year old.
Perhaps I should apply the same theory to my left butt cheek or my cankles, which are also "lazy".
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Thank You, Son of Moto
Daily Stats
Words: never mind
Caffeine: morning cup + midmorning cappuccino
Evil Calories: Bobka
Reality TV: Project Runway, American Idol (shut up, the auditions are hilarious)
So sorry I've been away! I've been so busy. Or lazy. Yes, lazy.
First, a tiny bit of semi-exciting news...I received yet another request for a partial from an agent. I was completely shocked, because this particular agent reps really genre specific stuff. I queried her on a total whim, never expecting to hear back. So, anyhoo, I'm not getting my hopes up. I figure either she accidentally drank her face toner that day or was just really bored.
In other news, I've been dividing my time between finishing my Nanowrimo novel and starting work on a side project (I say "side project" because it makes me sound artsy and obscure). I've always had this project in the back of my mind and realized that if I didn't get going on it now, I might never get to it. It's basically a book very loosely based on my experience being pregnant. (oh, yes, I have offspring! Don't be frightened, they're lovely and not at all snarky...yet). But it won't be the usual "oh, I've been dreaming of this since I was 10 years old, warm, bubbly, fuzzy" pregnancy stories. It's a completely different look....very catty, of course, but very realistic.
Oh, and the blog got a makeover. It needed it, I think. Not sure what the fanbase thinks of it. Mr. Wolferman is ignoring me and kitty peed on bathroom rug this morning. Not sure what that means. Feel free to leave your opinion...all comments welcome (that's a lie...only nice comments welcome)
Words: never mind
Caffeine: morning cup + midmorning cappuccino
Evil Calories: Bobka
Reality TV: Project Runway, American Idol (shut up, the auditions are hilarious)
So sorry I've been away! I've been so busy. Or lazy. Yes, lazy.
First, a tiny bit of semi-exciting news...I received yet another request for a partial from an agent. I was completely shocked, because this particular agent reps really genre specific stuff. I queried her on a total whim, never expecting to hear back. So, anyhoo, I'm not getting my hopes up. I figure either she accidentally drank her face toner that day or was just really bored.
In other news, I've been dividing my time between finishing my Nanowrimo novel and starting work on a side project (I say "side project" because it makes me sound artsy and obscure). I've always had this project in the back of my mind and realized that if I didn't get going on it now, I might never get to it. It's basically a book very loosely based on my experience being pregnant. (oh, yes, I have offspring! Don't be frightened, they're lovely and not at all snarky...yet). But it won't be the usual "oh, I've been dreaming of this since I was 10 years old, warm, bubbly, fuzzy" pregnancy stories. It's a completely different look....very catty, of course, but very realistic.
Oh, and the blog got a makeover. It needed it, I think. Not sure what the fanbase thinks of it. Mr. Wolferman is ignoring me and kitty peed on bathroom rug this morning. Not sure what that means. Feel free to leave your opinion...all comments welcome (that's a lie...only nice comments welcome)
Monday, January 7, 2008
Tippity, Tap
Daily Stats
Words: 1000
Caffeine: morning cup + midmorning cappuccino (the girl at the B&N's Starbucks cafe asked if I wanted whipped cream on it. It took all my will not to pelt her with my shoe) & midafternoon cappuccino
Evil Calories: Peanut Butter Blossoms (evil. pure evil.)
Reality TV: Project Runway reruns
Sweet merciful crap, it's 2008. Let me begin by saying that Santa was very good to me this year. He sent me a new bad-ass cappuccino maker and a coffee grinder, so I am set for maximum caffeine consumption. Good thing, because I tallied up how much I must have spent last year at Starbucks getting my daily cappuccino and my head almost exploded. Now I can nurture my addiction in the privacy of my own home for less than half the price. Can't beat that!
And I'm happy to announce that yesterday I officially started back on the new book. Granted, I only wrote two lines, and then Word crashed and I lost them. Have I mentioned that I hate my computer with the fiery passion of a thousand suns? It is the biggest piece of crap, and I swear if I ever get published, I'm going to run it over with my car.
Speaking of being published - I just read the blog of an agent that I had queried back in October. I had pretty much given up on her because I never heard back, which kind of ticked me off because I followed her submission guidelines to a T. I even included a self-adhesive envelope for a reply so she wouldn't have to lick anything. When you stick to their guidelines you hope that you're at least worth a form rejection! But I never heard anything. However, in reading her blog, she states that she's just now catching up on queries from the past seven months. Just a faint sparkle of hope that I'll receive another generic "thanks but you suck" letter that I can add to the pile. Yippee!!!!
Words: 1000
Caffeine: morning cup + midmorning cappuccino (the girl at the B&N's Starbucks cafe asked if I wanted whipped cream on it. It took all my will not to pelt her with my shoe) & midafternoon cappuccino
Evil Calories: Peanut Butter Blossoms (evil. pure evil.)
Reality TV: Project Runway reruns
Sweet merciful crap, it's 2008. Let me begin by saying that Santa was very good to me this year. He sent me a new bad-ass cappuccino maker and a coffee grinder, so I am set for maximum caffeine consumption. Good thing, because I tallied up how much I must have spent last year at Starbucks getting my daily cappuccino and my head almost exploded. Now I can nurture my addiction in the privacy of my own home for less than half the price. Can't beat that!
And I'm happy to announce that yesterday I officially started back on the new book. Granted, I only wrote two lines, and then Word crashed and I lost them. Have I mentioned that I hate my computer with the fiery passion of a thousand suns? It is the biggest piece of crap, and I swear if I ever get published, I'm going to run it over with my car.
Speaking of being published - I just read the blog of an agent that I had queried back in October. I had pretty much given up on her because I never heard back, which kind of ticked me off because I followed her submission guidelines to a T. I even included a self-adhesive envelope for a reply so she wouldn't have to lick anything. When you stick to their guidelines you hope that you're at least worth a form rejection! But I never heard anything. However, in reading her blog, she states that she's just now catching up on queries from the past seven months. Just a faint sparkle of hope that I'll receive another generic "thanks but you suck" letter that I can add to the pile. Yippee!!!!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Deck the Halls with Bla, Bla, Bla...
Daily Stats
Words: not counting
Caffeine: morning cup + midmorning cappuccino
Evil Calories: Peanut Butter Blossoms, Pumpkin-Chocolate Chip Bars (curse this holiday!)
Reality TV: The Biggest Loser Finale
Ok, fan base. I'm sorry I've been so absent lately. I'm taking a month breather to enjoy (survive) the holidays. I haven't written boo, save the first two hundred words of a short story that I need to finish by tomorrow to make a contest deadline. No problem, though, because tomorrow...I'm getting new cappuccino maker! A real cappuccino maker. Not the poopy stovetop kind or a $15 second-hand hunk of crap off of Craig's List. It's a Starbucks Barista. I know...Starbucks...gag me with a vente nonfat caramel-orange-mint-raspberry mocha, but they make a damn good machine. It claims to steam for 4 minutes straight. We'll see if it meets my velvety foam standards. The machine I have now makes the milk look more like Calgon. Blegh!
Anyway, I may not be back until the new year, so happy, merry Yuletide glee to everyone! Come January, it's back to my new book, that I vow to finish by summer. Ahhhhh....summer. I HATES winter!!!! Filthy snow!!!!!!!
Words: not counting
Caffeine: morning cup + midmorning cappuccino
Evil Calories: Peanut Butter Blossoms, Pumpkin-Chocolate Chip Bars (curse this holiday!)
Reality TV: The Biggest Loser Finale
Ok, fan base. I'm sorry I've been so absent lately. I'm taking a month breather to enjoy (survive) the holidays. I haven't written boo, save the first two hundred words of a short story that I need to finish by tomorrow to make a contest deadline. No problem, though, because tomorrow...I'm getting new cappuccino maker! A real cappuccino maker. Not the poopy stovetop kind or a $15 second-hand hunk of crap off of Craig's List. It's a Starbucks Barista. I know...Starbucks...gag me with a vente nonfat caramel-orange-mint-raspberry mocha, but they make a damn good machine. It claims to steam for 4 minutes straight. We'll see if it meets my velvety foam standards. The machine I have now makes the milk look more like Calgon. Blegh!
Anyway, I may not be back until the new year, so happy, merry Yuletide glee to everyone! Come January, it's back to my new book, that I vow to finish by summer. Ahhhhh....summer. I HATES winter!!!! Filthy snow!!!!!!!
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Insert Long Sigh of Relief Here
Daily Stats
Words: several handfuls
Caffeine: morning cup + midmorning cappuccino + afternoon cappuccino (my stovetop espresso maker is dying a slow death. Let us pray...)
Evil Calories: Snickerdoodles
Reality TV: Project Runway reruns on Bravo
Ah, the absence of word count pressure. I loved doing Nanowrimo, but I'm basking in the aftermath of not having to worry about meeting that 1600 word per day quota. I can also focus back on submitting to writing contests. I've sent two short stories to the Writers Digest Short Story Competition (one of which is actually an excerpt from my Nano novel), and I have a deadline on the 20th for a Writers Journal contest. Can I say that I really, REALLY hate paying money to submit work to contests. I know both magazines are well respected, and I'm sure they do all they can to actually read everything that comes in (or, they read a random few and use the rest as kindling). It's a bit like gambling I guess, but I'd much rather spend $12 at the Blazing 7's machine (not that I ever win at that either, but...you know....the flashing lights and sound effects are fun).
Words: several handfuls
Caffeine: morning cup + midmorning cappuccino + afternoon cappuccino (my stovetop espresso maker is dying a slow death. Let us pray...)
Evil Calories: Snickerdoodles
Reality TV: Project Runway reruns on Bravo
Ah, the absence of word count pressure. I loved doing Nanowrimo, but I'm basking in the aftermath of not having to worry about meeting that 1600 word per day quota. I can also focus back on submitting to writing contests. I've sent two short stories to the Writers Digest Short Story Competition (one of which is actually an excerpt from my Nano novel), and I have a deadline on the 20th for a Writers Journal contest. Can I say that I really, REALLY hate paying money to submit work to contests. I know both magazines are well respected, and I'm sure they do all they can to actually read everything that comes in (or, they read a random few and use the rest as kindling). It's a bit like gambling I guess, but I'd much rather spend $12 at the Blazing 7's machine (not that I ever win at that either, but...you know....the flashing lights and sound effects are fun).
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