Crazy? Yep

Revisions, when one can focus on the actual words and not the idea that one has to revise, can be amazing. The whole landscape of revision is a rocky one for me. Some part of me knows that revision is king. That to write is to re-write, and that every book can be made better with a clearer eye. There is also, however, this crazy notion that I picked up somewhere in my psyche that if I was truly a good writer I wouldn't have to revise.

Yes, I know this is nuts, but there you have it. I have to get over my ego to get to the place where I can revise well. Not with anger and resentment (which I experience pretty much every single time I need to revise-which is every book) but with excitement and enthusiasm.

I know there are a lot of writers who go directly to the e & e part. I'm trying to get there, but it's not easy for me. I think, and this is just a theory, that this whole problem stems from my school days when I thought I was only smart when I didn't have to study to get an A. Insane. Go figure.

Despite this reluctance about revision, once I'm doing it, I really like doing it. It's exciting to find a better way, a neater solution, and cleaner choice. Another of my idiosyncrasies is that when I'm revising, I want to be fully immersed. No phone calls, no stopping for meals. I even resent bathroom breaks. Of course, that's not practical, so I should lower my expectations of privacy, but then as we saw earlier, I'm not sane when it comes to writing.

It would do this soul a lot of good to hear that others have their issues with the process.




11.30.05 @ 11:56 AM MST [Link to Entry]

Susie Homemaker

As I type, there's a duck quacking over and over and over again. The puppy has discovered the magic spot on the toy duck, and she clearly loves the sound. A lot. Quack.

I'm going to start baking my Xmas goodies soon. I'll be freezing the cakes and I think I'm going to do brownies this year. It's something I really enjoy. Baking makes me calm, and the smells that fill the house are so comforting. So, the folks around here that we appreciate are getting scarves and goodies. All handmade, which, for anyone who's known me, is so bizarre that it defies understanding. I have always been the least homey person in the world. I've lived in major big cities, never baked, never sewed (I got a D on the only sewing project I did in Home Ec) and never dreamed of knitting. And now I'm Susie Homemaker. Go figure.

Lots of work in the days ahead, focusing on the revisions, trying to make the book as suspenseful and sexy as possible. Also trying hard not to give too many clues to the surprise, but not have it come out of thin air, either. I always said writing should be a challenge. Right?

Quack.




11.29.05 @ 01:01 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Brrrrr!

Well, still working on the book - good thing my editor doesn't need this by tomorrow, because I have to change some stuff that matters. So on I go.

The big news here is that the puppy is now going up and down the stairs. Very thrilling for the whole family. It's a full, full life here on Mount Doom.

Speaking of the mountain - it's damn cold. Like 0 degrees cold. And snowy. Brrrr. The real drag is that my thermostat has somehow changed and now I'm cold all the time. I used to be hot all the time. Thanks, body. Fun trick!

I'm also regretting that I didn't make a turkey, or at least a turkey breast. I'll have to because I didn't have enough leftovers.

Okay - back to work. Let's all have a terrific writing day. I know those of you in NaNoWriMo are heading toward the home stretch, and I hope it's all good!



11.28.05 @ 02:41 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Still full, but happy!

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday. We ate well, watched the puppies go nuts, and generally had a wonderful time. I made a lot of stuff using Splenda instead of sugar, and they came out so great. I'm so impressed with the stuff. The pumpkin pie was especially yummy.

Tomorrow is the craft fair here in our small town, held at the Armory, and I'm really looking forward to it. Not that I can buy much, but it's fun to see the crafters come out to play. I also picked up some fabulous knives a couple of years ago, and I'm hoping the vendor is there again, because I really need the pairing knife.

It's back to work today, and getting this book done! Well, not today, but soon - really soon. I swear.

Hilarious early gift from my friend for the puppy - Hanukah doggy bones - one for each night. So cute! Of course I want to buy every damn thing I see for the pup. She's so healthy and wonderful, and we're so grateful that she's well. She's three months old now. Starting tomorrow, we'll have snow, and she loves that. Unfortunately, she still has to wear the muzzle when she goes out. We can't have her eating her favorite treat - rocks - but that also means she can't eat the snow. Poor kid.

Anyway, tell me about your holiday!





11.25.05 @ 11:16 AM MST [Link to Entry]

Jo's Blog in 3D!

Oh, lots to do today, including a manicure, which is always a treat. We're picking up Debbi's puppy and letting the two pups play. That's always an adventure, but a good one. Then tomorrow we pick up our repaired auto. Relatively painless process from start to finish.

The story, it goes on, and the timing is now getting tighter. I need to have this done pronto because of the old domino effect. So, writing when I can. Doing some cooking in between.

Did anyone else watch Medium in 3D? We had glasses, but they were older ones with red/blue instead of red/green, which were available in TV Guide. So we kinda got the 3D stuff. The gimmick was okay, but not necessary. I really love that show, and I'm glad it's getting such good ratings. Mostly, if I love a show, the chances it'll be cancelled are very high.

(Oh, and I was kidding about the whole 3D thing. Catchy, though, huh?)



11.22.05 @ 12:00 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Weekend Musings

Back to work Monday. I took off yesterday, did some knitting and played with the puppy. Then spent last night worrying about the book. I'm nearing the end, and all I can think is that it's not. It's not suspenseful enough, it's not sexy enough, it's not paced right, it's, well, not. See, I shouldn't take a break. Any break. It's harder to get back into the book, it gives my brain too much leeway and in the end, I work myself into such a state that I should have just written. This doesn't happen to me if I finish, then take a break and come back to it. Just when I break in the middle. Oy.

In other news, we went to town yesterday, and found this big old dog wandering on the mountain road. She looked utterly beat and was so, so grateful when we stopped and brought her into the car. She had two collars, one was a huge radio collar, and one had an address on it. We spent an hour or so finding her owners, and ended up just finding someone who knew the owners. The woman told us it was a lion dog. One who hunts mountain lions and trees them. I'm of the belief that hunting is okay as long as the prey is something edible, or if the habitat needs culling. Neither of those things are true with the mountain lions on our mountain, and it was hard as hell to let that dog go. She was so exhausted, she didn't even want to get out of the car, and her damn paws were bleeding, okay? But we saw no alternative. I just keep thinking about the poor dog and the poor mountain lions, and wondering what the hell people are thinking. What is it that makes people find joy in shooting animals? I don't get it. Never will.

Today I'm making cranberry conserve for Thanksgiving. I love cooking. I love making stuff I've never made before. The other items on my list to cook for Thursday are pumpkin pie (sugar free) and roasted brussels sprouts. I'm adding a small dish of turnip puree with crispy shallots. Yes, I like the weird vegetables. I actually like all veggies except for eggplant. So there.

And still no snow. hehe.


11.21.05 @ 11:20 AM MST [Link to Entry]

It's all good

It's a damn nice Saturday here on the mountain. Jessie's doing great, although she's still on antibiotics. We got her the muzzle, which is sweet and sad. Naturally, she's annoyed by it, but she has a lot more freedom wearing it. She'll adjust. We just have to keep reminding ourselves that it's going to save her life.

Today is work, and I'm heading toward the climax, which is always fun. There's lots of danger and tension and evil and triumph. Neato.

Yesterday, we got the rental car. I'd asked for a full size, but they were out and gave me a big SUV. It's great for the mountain, but jeez, too big. Don't know when we'll get our car back.

I hope y'all (I lived in Houston, so I'm allowed to say that) are getting excited about Thanksgiving. Since this year, we'll be having it with friends, I'm very in the mood. Good friends, healthy puppies, my wonderful husband. It's certainly a bounty.



11.19.05 @ 01:42 PM MST [Link to Entry]

As The Puppy Turns and a contest

We've turned a corner! The pup slept the night and didn't throw up, which is amazingly good news. She's eating more, which is also great because she got sooooo skinny. There is great relief on Mount Doom.

The car is on its way to the dealership, and I'm going to get the rental car in a few hours. Onward and upward and thank God for car insurance.

As for the work - I had a great talk with my editor yesterday, and I'm taking a little more time to really make the book sparkle, so yay. Also brainstorming titles and cover concepts, which is just so hard. Especially because this book is a Blaze, but it's suspense - it's coming out under the Forbidden Fantasies banner, which I didn't know until yesterday. I'm not exactly sure why, but well, okay. So - sexy/dangerous titles. Anyone have any ideas? (Hints - he's an ex-Delta Force guy living under the radar, she's battling a stalker. He moves in to catch the bastard and sex (among other things) ensues. No pressure or anything, but I'm totally counting on you to come up with a faboo title. If you come up with the winner, you can pick the name of a character in the next book in the series. It can be yours or a name you love (as long as it's not, you know, Quetzelquatl or something).




11.18.05 @ 12:00 PM MST [Link to Entry]

If it's not one thing...

I'm so glad yesterday is over. The bad news is, we're not out of the woods with Jessie. We're just so worried about her. She's so tiny, and so sick. We need a turnaround, and darn quick.

We were at a friend's yesterday and their phone stopped working. So when we went back up the mountain, I called the phone company to report the trouble. It was a big kurfuffle, but we had no way of informing our friends about the mix-up, so Dotes went back down the mountain to tell them. Such a sweetie. On his way back, the car got into a fight with a rock, and the rock kicked the car's ass. It had to be towed down the mountain, insurance had to be called, and the upshot is, we have to figure out a way to get down the mountain after the insurance company chimes in, then get a rental car until it's fixed. Which wouldn't be a huge deal if we didn't have a sick puppy. Because how in hell are we going to get her to the vet if she needs to go? It's very scary and horrible, and none of us have been getting any sleep.

I also made her chicken soup yesterday, which she ate. Not much, mind you, and she didn't totally keep it down, but at least she's getting a tiny bit of nutrition. Sorry for the sadness, but I'm so, so scared. And I'm not getting my work done, which just stacks up problems, so I MUST work. Keep good thoughts coming for the midget. She needs them.


11.17.05 @ 11:51 AM MST [Link to Entry]

Update and the Uber-Challenge

We're still on puppy watch until she's officially out of the woods. So we're taking her to my friend's house so she can run around without being tempted by all the things she loves to eat: rocks, bark, weeds complete with roots. Mmmmm. At my friend's house, she gets into grass and leaves, but those won't hurt her. Oy. We just want our gal healthy!

So I'm taking the Neo and I'm going to write down there. The book was officially due yesterday. It will be turned in on Monday. ::sigh:: I used to get books in on time, every time. What the hell happened to me? Oh, maybe getting a tiny life? It doesn't matter, because the goal for 2006 is DISCIPLINE.

I try to take one thing every year and focus on it. One year it was description. Another was metaphor. One was snappy dialogue. 2005 was, uh, nothing. 2006 - retraining and reworking this panic-writer habit into something that actually works without making me completely insane. I'll keep you posted.

Do you have an uber-goal per year? Have you ever tried it? I swear, it works really well. If you haven't tried it yet, give it some thought. When I pick a subject I want to improve upon, I read everything I can about it, experiment, look to experts I know, and I try to keep track of my progress. I think it would be great to have a group of folks who are into doing this. A year-goal where we pick whatever it is we need to improve, then compare notes and strategies on how to accomplish the goal. Nothing so insane as checking in weekly, but still, keeping with a goal like this for a year is a challenge.

Anyone interested?



11.16.05 @ 02:29 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Scary day

The pup had a really, really bad night. She swallowed a rock, which blocked her intestine. So we were up with her all night, and this morning we took her to the vet. Everything eventually came out in the end, thank goodness, with no surgery needed. She's on antibiotics for a week, and we're watching her carefully. The worst of it is we're going to have to muzzle her outside for awhile. She eats everything - rock, sand, bark - it doesn't matter, and well, it can kill her, so muzzle it is. It kills me though because it looks like some torture device. I just have to keep in mind that it's the muzzle or possible bad, bad stuff.

She's home now, she's looking SO much better, and while we're wrecks, I've stopped crying. God, I can't tell you how terrified we were this morning. The little thing only ways like 11 pounds, and she must have lost at least 3 during the last few days. You can count her ribs. So scary.

But all is better, and mom and dad are very grateful!

Thanks for all the good wishes, everyone!

11.15.05 @ 08:48 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Oh no!

Sick puppy! I'm very freaked because the puppy's not well. We're going to the vet this afternoon. I took half a Xanax. That should get me through. We think it's nothing awful, just some damn thing she ate on one of her excursions outside, but I want her perfect!

As for the work - it's going well. Figured out the last twist for the end, so yay. (Got up in the middle of the night to write it down - I wish I could read my writing.)

Tell me good, happy stuff - like what your favorite holiday treat is - especially if you (or a loved one) makes it from scratch!


11.14.05 @ 02:26 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Sunday Puppy

I know it's like someone thrusting pictures of their children in your face, but since this is my blog….

11.13.05 @ 03:15 PM MST [Link to Entry]

[insert title here]

Only got 15 pages done yesterday, but hey, it's better than nothing. I'll get there. The ending is always faster than the beginning, and now that I'm over 200, it should go quickly. Unless it doesn't.

An observation that has nothing to do with anything: I watch a lot of decorating shows because they're perfect background noise for me. Whenever I do look up, I get surprised, and often neat ideas for projects I never do. Another reason I love them is that they have nothing going on about whose sexuality is what. Oodles of gay couples, straight couples - doesn't matter to the designers. I love that, and it's about the only channel I see that on with any regularity. Not that we don't see the occasional gay couple, but on the decorating shows, it's a non-issue. Which is what it should be everywhere. end of observation.

It's snowing here, but I'm still hoping to get to town to get my hair cut and colored. If you saw it now, well, you'd understand my desperation. The good part about the snow is watching the puppy play in it. Man, did she love our walk this morning (unlike the DH and myself). Much frolicking was had and much snow was eaten. ::sigh:: must be nice to be a puppy.

Good luck on the writing to all of us, and if you have any observations about things that have nothing to do with other things, feel free to add them. J




11.11.05 @ 03:20 PM MST [Link to Entry]

20

Got 20 pages written yesterday. Which is great, but I have to do it again today. And tomorrow. You get the drift. I know other people do 20 per day on a regular basis, but for me, it's a stretch. Thing is I congratulate myself so much after getting the 20 done that I feel entitled to a break the next day. Then when I don't get the break, I get resentful. Yes, I think we can all agree that I need counseling, but in the meantime, I just have to get the damn words on the page.

I actually really like the book, and that's helping a lot. Sometimes I'm writing and I think it's the worst crap ever written, which makes it hard to be real enthusiastic. I've often been shocked by those crappy books, that in the end they turn out to be some of my favorites. There's simply no telling, at least from my end. I feel very confident that if my editor agrees that it's crap, she'll let me know. I've been through everything from scrapping the book entirely, to no revisions at all, and everything in-between.

I have to do a little plotting before I can begin today, however. Things took an unexpected turn last night, so I have to figure out the consequences. Fun, but time consuming, and I don't have much time.

I also NEED to get back to knitting, but that's a reward at the end of 20 pages and I'm so tired at the end, I've been going straight to bed. Maybe today? I hope. Because most of my Christmas list is scarves for all!


11.10.05 @ 02:16 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Go! Go! Go!

We're back from away. It was a nice little break, and we went to the movies to see Chicken Little. My review? 3.5 on the movie, which was cute, 1.0 on the theater which had far too many crying children in it. I understand: Chicken Little = kid's movie. But when the kid in question is screaming, Take Him Out Of The Theater.

Okay, end rant.

Much writing in the next week. I'll do my best to get here, but don't be surprised if it's not every day. I'm not even sure I'm going to be able to read blogs. Or much of anything else. I'm doing the five-pages-at-a-time thingee. Five pages. Take a break wherein I do something necessary, like walk, or have a meal, or pay bills. But the break is for one hour. Write another five. Repeat. Do this until the break includes sleep, or the brain is mush, whichever comes first. Do it again the next day.

I also have to do the art fact sheet for the book. Argh! What's even worse, I have to give Hq a picture to put on the time travel. Horrors! What are they thinking? I, for one, don't have any interest in seeing what a writer looks like. Only ill can come from this, mark my words.

So, when y'all are under the gun - what tricks do you use to plow through and just get the fucker done???? I thought about rewarding myself with treats, but the only treats we have in the house are for the puppy, and I'll pass.


11.09.05 @ 12:29 PM MST [Link to Entry]

On sisters and stuff

I hope everyone had a good weekend. I worked. Revisions, part of a chapter on the new book, more revisions. Also watched Agent Cody Banks with my honey, which was nice. Played with the puppy which was exhausting. And now it's Monday again. I should have the revisions done today, then zoom back into the book. We're probably leaving today (maybe tomorrow) for a night, so if I'm not here tomorrow, that's why.

Since it's my sister's birthday today, I thought I'd share a little about her. She's a remarkable woman, truly. She had 5 kids and home schooled them. Not your typical home schooling, though. She trusted that they were curious and wanted to learn everything, so she basically made the world available to them, and they chose their own paths. This might seem like it wouldn't be effective, but all her kids ended up doing brilliantly. One's in law school, one graduated with honors from Rutgers and is now going to Cornell grad school, another is a psychologist (I think that's right) and the youngest is in this faboo educational program in Boston. After my sister raised her kids, she went to rabbinical school, and became a Rabbi. She has a congregation in NY. She's recently re-married and the two of them are teaching, counseling and writing. I love her lots, and I wish we lived closer so I could see her more often. Although I still think it's weird to call her Rabbi.

Being the heathen daughter, who does not in any way believe in a anthropomorphized god, I do respect her a lot for her beliefs, and I'm even a little envious that she can find such happiness there. Personally, I've always looked for my happiness in pharmaceuticals. (just kidding!!)

So, any family members you want to brag about??? Come on, don't be shy. (That's kind of a joke, because my sister's last name is Shy. Oh, never mind.)



11.07.05 @ 01:10 PM MST [Link to Entry]

LALALALALA

Stayed up till midnight finishing my pages last night. I'm not doing the NaNoWriMo, but if I was, I'd have clocked in 11,250 words since Nov 1. (I'm doing page count times 250 words, and I have no idea if that's how it's done. If not, then the number is a crock). But I can tell that I'm deeply into bookworld when the story is what I'm dreaming about. Every night.

Which would be okay, except that I dream stuff that's better than I've written, and therefore have to go back and rewrite scenes that I've finished! I'm going to go to bed tonight with my fingers in my ears, eyes squeezed shut, singing LALALALALALAL really loud, so I won't hear the dreams. Take that, subconscious brain!

Also waiting for The Envelope. No, I'm not going to win an Oscar (not yet, at least, ha!) but the royalty envelope from my publisher. Royalties - The In Home Game! Guess What Your Income Is! Watch Your Budget Fly Out The Window!

Seriously, how bizarre is it that I've chosen a profession where I have no clue what I'll be earning in a year? I don't think many economists suffer from this problem. No, they live their lives knowing (ho-hum) what they're going to earn, and what they can buy, and if they can get that new car. Pussies.


11.04.05 @ 01:57 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Did you know this was the hardest part of blogging for me? (the subject line, I mean)

Another adorable puppy picture for your blog-hopping pleasure:

That's Jessie with her sister Mylie. Hell if I can tell which is which. But too cute for words? You bet.

Got my pages done yesterday, which was great. Nearly destroyed weeks of work on the DH's scarf (and frankly, my repair is not invisible) but he says he doesn't care, so knit on. I however, am deeply distressed because, man, it was an awesome scarf. Now it's an awesome scarf that's all screwed up in the middle. ::sigh::

Made homemade apple sauce which is so Freakin' good! But now I need to know - can one freeze applesauce? Chunky applesauce with raisins?

Getting ready to go for the first walk of the day, and I'm going to wear my new gloves. I'll let you know if they're really warm or if the person at the store lied.

Okay, that's it from me. The puppy is asleep, and therefore not peeing on the rug. It's a good thing.


11.03.05 @ 01:18 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Oh, Crap

Oops, forgot to add the blog this morning! We had company - puppy play date. I got all busy and well, you know. And I'm deeply into book mode, so if things slide, I hope you'll understand.

It's also freezing here, so I'm trying to keep my fingers warm, which is easier now that I have a portable heater, but not perfect. I want to crawl into bed and turn on the electric blanket (greatest invention ever!) but I must work.

In other news… oh, wait. There is no other news. It's a snooze fest up here and all about work. So sad. I am enjoying hearing about catalogs, so keep those coming, please.




11.02.05 @ 06:02 PM MST [Link to Entry]

Catalogues and Other Interesting Tidbits

Everybody trot on over to Romancing The Blog and make interesting and insightful comments so that I look like I know what I'm talking about. (Yes, I've also been known to seed audiences with friends who will then ask questions I know the answers to). What can I say? I'm just that kind of woman.

Another shill for the O magazine which you MUST GET (Xmas is coming - put it on your list). Faboo article on goal setting, another on intimidation…oh, just get the magazine. Seriously.

And talking about things I get in the mail…anyone see the Vermont Country Store catalogue? Such cool old-fashioned stuff at over inflated prices, but hell, some really fun stuff. Like candies you haven't seen in forever, nightshirts for men, old toys and books and Paint-By-Numbers sets. I want to buy lots of stuff from there. But I think the only thing I'm going to actually buy is a butter dish and maybe some socks. Yeah, I'm that exciting.

And speaking of catalogues - which are the coolest you get? Especially the free ones? I don't get nearly enough really awesome catalogues. Remember, I live on Mount Doom, which is very far away from anything, so I need stimulation of the Buy Me Cortex.




11.01.05 @ 01:34 PM MST [Link to Entry]