October 30, 2007 | Blogging

Well, the book, she is done. yay

I’m out of town, off to the forensics conference in St. Louis. Man, I used to love to fly. Now, it’s torture. I have to go through all kinds of machinations with my medication to get it on the flight, which, I’m sorry, but WTF? How is having my blood pressure medicine in the original bottle keeping America safe? I don’t get it. All I know is that flying will be screwed up for all of us for the foreseeable future and that is so depressing.

Anyway, the conference should be fun and inspiring and I’m really looking forward to it. Speaking of conferences, I’m going to be speaking at the Murder in the Grove conference in Boise next June. That’s one for everyone who writes rs or mystery or suspense or thrillers should check out. Great small conference in a beautiful city.

Also finished the online workshop on the Core Decision. I think it went well. I’m not at all sure when, but I think I’ll do it again. I just have to make sure everyone understands it’s pretty intense.

Okay, I’m outa here. Be good, and I’ll report in when I get back on the 6th.

October 23, 2007 | Blogging

I’m screeching toward my deadline, typing and worrying in equal amounts. Why can’t I ever feel good about my books as I’m writing them? I used to. Now, I just sigh and keep writing. It’s depressing, though, cause it really feels like dreck. My friend tells me the book is totally fine and I should just slap me and tell me to shut up. I’ve tried her suggestion, but it only works for a little while.

I hope you’re all doing boffo with your work, and that you’re not as freaked out as I am that it’s OCTOBER freakin’ 23RD! How did this happen? It’s going to be 2008 in about 20 seconds, and I’m not ready.

In fact, I’m barely ready for 1998, so uh, I guess I have some catching up to do.

We aren’t living up the mountain any more so we bought some Halloween candy. It’s very loud candy, and keeps calling me from the other room. Bad candy.

Oh, looking forward to the Forensic fun in St. Louis - everything except the airport. If only they weren’t mostly focused on giving us the illusion of safety instead of actually doing the things that would make us safer, it would be so, so much better. As it is, I have to go through all kinds of nonsense with my medication. It’s depressing.

Boy, aren’t I just perky and optimistic today?

Here’s a cheerful note - no, wait. That’s not cheerful at all. Sorry.

October 18, 2007 | 70 Days of Sweat

How are all you Challengers doing?

I’ve been on target, until yesterday, so today I have to make up 5 pages. Bummer. But I have to keep to the schedule or the book won’t be turned in on time. So there you go.

We’re also doggy sitting Jessie’s sister, so that’s always entertaining. Especially because neither of them is small, and everyone likes to sleep on the bed plastered to Mom. Yeah. Good times.

Did anyone else see the Oprah show with Dr. Chirstiane Northrup? She subscribed romance novels (which she called Cliterature!) to all the women out there! It was awesome!

Okay, it’s almost 8:00 and I have to work. Go Me!

October 16, 2007 | Blogging, 70 Days of Sweat

Yesterday’s word count: 3098

I’m at Romancing The Blog. Go. Read. Smile.

October 15, 2007 | 70 Days of Sweat

Okay, kids! Start your engines!

We’re off once more to test our mettle with the new 70 Days of Sweat Challenge.
It’s all about goal setting, showing up, putting the writing at the top of the list, and learning about how we work.

Here are my goals:

Finish my current WIP - 40,000
Finish my next book - 65,000
Total words = 110,000

I’m tired already. :)

During that time, I’m going to plot group, plotting the next book, plus a general outline of a new 3 book series, going to a conference in St. Louis, having a mostly stay-at-home holiday season, and doing my damndest to take some breaks where I get completely away from the work. I’m okay with working 7 days a week, but not for several months at a time. Truthfully, I end up taking days off anyway, but usually as a result of burnout, when it’s the least practical. Making myself sick doesn’t support my goals.

I’m also doing some other goal setting tasks. I used to believe that I shouldn’t try to do everything at once. That one new habit at a time was the way to go. But current research is suggesting that tackling several new habits at once is more likely to work. So, I’m incorporating:

walking 3 times per week, 1/2 hour each time
writing down my daily meals, word pages and exercise in my journal
quitting smoking (again)

Strangely, I’m completely optimistic about all of it. Mostly because of something I learned in the last challenge - for me, everything depends on how I begin the day. If I start out on task, I tend to complete my goals. If I give myself an inch, I blow it all off.

It’s up to me, then, to start off each day with determination and commitment. To not sleep in too late. (8 am is the goal) To make my coffee, take my pills, read my email, then write 5 pages. After that, I can have breakfast and do online things, like blog posting, surfing, etc.

The rest of the day is planned out pretty well, with another 5 pages in the mix.

So what about you? Have you set your word count goals? Are they unique to you, not just what other people are doing? Are you committed to your success? A recommendation here - make your goal achievable. Committing to selling a book isn’t productive because that’s not in your control. Committing to finish your book is achievable and measurable, something only you can do. Are you going to journal your progress? Writing it down seems to be one of the keys to establishing new habits.

Also, for those of you who participated in the last challenge, you’ll notice we have a number of new sponsors this time. Take advantage of that by checking out their blogs, in addition to checking into the Sven site. And use your fellow Challengers. By supporting them you’re supporting your own goals.

Let’s make this a challenge like no other. Look forward to the day you can say you committed, you kept your word, you kicked ass!

Be sure and visit the rest of the Sven sponsors blogs! Alison Kent, HelenKay Dimon, Larissa Ione, Stephanie Tyler, Shiloh Walker, Lauren Dane, Diana Peterfreund, Jaci Burton, and Portia Da Costa.

October 11, 2007 | Blogging

It’s very busy at Casa Leigh at the moment. Book due soon, copy edits due sooner, workshop lectures and posts, plot group zooming up, trip to St. Louis for the Forensic workshop just around the corner, bulbs that need planting…okay I’m tired from typing it all.

Here’s a conundrum - I can’t wait to get to bed at night. Sleep calls to me throughout the day like a Siren. And yet when I’m finally in bed, I just can’t seem to get to sleep until after 11:30. Why, why? That just seems cruel.

On Forbes.com they reported that Sara Jessica Parker’s fragrance LOVELY earned 74 million dollars in 2006. I think I need to create a fragrance. I’m working on a name…maybe Pseudonym…nah, it would smell fake. Or how about Eau de Writer…no, that would smell like sweat pants and panic. Hmmm…I’m open to suggestions.

October 7, 2007 | 70 Days of Sweat

Have you signed up for the new Sweat Challenge? We’re starting soon, so go here and declare your intentions!

It’s something to note how many published authors did the last Sweat, and how so many of them surpassed their goals. If you’re planning to do NaNo, this is also a great time to sign up for the Sweat. Challenge yourself and establish great work habits that will last through your whole career! Seriously, even (especially) if this is scary - do it.

October 1, 2007 | Uncategorized

Just an FYI - writing is hard. That is all.

Now, to more fun news. I MADE BREAD. I’ve never made a successful loaf of bread before, but I did it! At my crazy altitude! And there was no kneading involved! It was a beautiful loaf that was crusty on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside, and I should have taken a picture. It’s not a quick process, but a very simple one. In fact, so simple, I’m going to make my next loaf very soon, only this time it will be more wheat than white.

Because I love you all, here are some links so that you, too, can amaze your friends and make your enemies jealous:

The original New York Times article about No-Knead Bread

The youtube video so you can watch the process

You’re going to be so happy!!

PS - I cooked mine in a cast iron Dutch oven.
PPS - I’m going to take pictures next time. Let’s all take pictures and have a BREAD SPREAD!